I am so excited about the many things this women has and is doing in the community. She's a poet, an author, a singer, activist and so, so much more. Mere words can't do her justice and speaking of justice, she's also a Justice of the peace, Poetic Justic to be exact that's been featured in Essence and Total Eclipse Magazine. Who is she? Crystal Senter Brown...Google her baby!!! Full interview coming soon, but you don't have to wait until then, please check her out live and in living color for yourself... at http://www.crystalsenterbrown.com/ .

Lalah Hathaway Lady Lalah...Soul's Royalty is bringing you back to "Where it All Begins" her latest album due out in store, tomorrow, OCTOBER 18th, 2011.    Countdown to itunes download...begins now ...take a listen here now...I guarantee you will want more!!!   Where It All Begins by concordmusicgroup

To all of my people going through a struggle, for those that have experienced a natural disaster and seek relief. For those that may have lost all of their wordly posessions....just know that you are a Soul Survivor and with God on your side, everything's going to be alright!!! Here's some inspiration to get you through the rest of your week.... Until next time, Mara Hunter signing off... Be Blessed!!!

The LivSuite, LLC is an entertainment company giving the DMV (DC, Maryland & Virginia) some of the soulfullest indie experiences to date. The DMV hails such greats as Duke Ellington,  Marvin Gaye and Roberta Flack as well as some of the hottest artists of today, like my favorite love crooner, Raheem Devaughn !!! So, it only makes sense to spotlight these amazing up and coming artists as well as featuring Indie's great artists of our time. I've had the pleasure of experiencing Conya Doss, another one of my favs live in living color...Jesse Boykins, III, an amazing, sexy crooner and Ms. Eva Kennedy at last years event and I am looking forward to my girl, Shae Fiol hosting tonight's event as Deborah Bond does her thing and I'm also looking forward to being introduced to the music of  Levi Stephens!!! For more info on this and all the season's Soul sessions...click here . Follow me on twitter @I_am_MaraHunter for a play by play of how it alll...

You Already Know what it is!!! Soul in the City was one of the first independant blog sites to spotlight Ms. Boss Lady. Now it's official!!! Check out the exclusive interviews in Lioness Magazine's August issue and Total Eclipse Magazine!!! Make sure you got out and cop Syleena Johnson's album Chapter V:Underrated in STORES NOW !!! Until next time, Mara Signing Off Soul in the City...

Pure Beauty, Refreshing and Invigorating Soul Music from the Amazing Amel Larrieux...Enjoy!!!

Hello Soul in the City Goers, It's me Mara and before I hit the hay, I had to just drop this quick note...The Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement was held on August 12th, 2011 and I had the pleasure of being a part of it all. From the press conference with Dennis Rodman and other inductees; to an one on one interview w/Teresa Edwards, my mentor and finally to the Enshrinement where basketball greats such as Charles Barkley, Dr. J, Scottie Pippen and coaches like Phil Jackson all came out to support the class of 2011. Edwards truly represented in rare "B-girl" style!! Seeing her walk down the aisle to receive her graduation jacket and then again on the red carpet looking fabulous, giving me a wave of appreciation and a look like, "I did it" was truly a site to see. I gave that look right back to her like, "YES YOU DID!!!", [ not that she was trying to do what she did, but she was just great at it!] Teresa being recognized among her p...

According to Singer's Room: Grammy nominated R&B crooner Eric Roberson will release his eighth studio album, Mister Nice Guy, in the United States on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 after signing a new distribution deal with Purpose Music Group and Entertainment One (eOne Music.) UK fans will receive the album September 12 through Roberson’s existing distribution and marketing deal with London-based staple Dome Records. ‘Mister Nice Guy’ is lead by the first single “Picture Perfect” featuring Phonte, available on iTunes now and is playing on a Soul radio station near you! The single features rapper/singer/producer Phonte, of fellow independent fixture The Foreign Exchange. Check out his new single and then check out the interview in Total Eclispe Magazine by subscribing now ! Music by Singersroom.com | More on Eric Roberson

N ick Ashford has passed away at the age of 70 from throat cancer. It was reported that he died Monday in a New York City hospital. He had been suffering from throat cancer and had undergone radiation treatment.His longtime friend and former publicist Liz Rosenberg told the Associated Press that Ashford (and wife Valerie Simpson ) wrote some of Motown's biggest hits including Among the songs Ashford & Simpson penned are Ain't No Mountain High Enough , You're All I Need To Get By, Reach Out And Touch Somebody's Hand but are best known for their hit Solid. In recent years, the couple continued to perform. They also were owners of the New York City restaurant Sugar Bar, where many top names and emerging artists performed and put on showcases. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. Rest in Peace Nick. Here is a tribute featuring Whitney Houston & Al Jarreau...

Independent and new artists, contact VMF at:   info@vailsoulmusicfest.com Chaz Shepherd Born and raised only a brisk walk from legendary "Philadelphia International Records," where the classic "Philly Soul" sound was conceived in its full glory, Chaz Records' recording artist Chaz Shepherd is at the forefront of the renaissance movement he endearingly refers to as "Young Soul." The burgeoning revival of a genre once forgotten is now captivating audiences throughout the country and around the world. Chaz is intent on making a significant contribution to once again make soul music the popular choice. Chaz' debut album, Love & Truth , released on his own label "Chaz Records," features 11 tracks of a brand of soul so rich and full in harmonies and melodies that it encapsulates your entire being and takes you to a place of depth, warmth and realness rarely experienced in today's music.   Alex Cuba Singer-songwriter A...

Check out my exclusive interview w/Chrisette Michele in the latest issue of Total Eclipse... http://www.totaleclipsemag.com ​/ Subscribe Today!

Good Morning to Ya! I just feel so blessed on this morning, actually, everday that I'm able to wake up and get my day started, I am blessed. Let me just say, I know we all have been through or are going through some type of struggle. Naturally, that's life and our goal is to overcome, Spiritually we must defeat the devil and claim victory! He comes to steal, kill and destroy, but know we have the strength to defeat the enemy. How you may ask? Seems like everytime I turn around, I'm going through some stuff. Well, it's how you go through "your stuff". It's how you handle your "storm". Our desired outcome is to get through it and not look all battered and beat up when we do. Sometimes, we feel weak and our mind starts playing tricks on us, telling us, we can't make it, we can't take and we're not deserving...but I say to you, that all of this is a learning experience. I use everything, I've been through to not make the same mi...

Hey Soul Seekers, It's been such an enlightening experience this summer. As I've mentioned in a previous post, I was asked to contribute to Lioness Magazine, a women's business ezine, on a monthly basis. This first issue featured my Syleena Johnson story. Check it Out: Open publication - Free publishing - More business

Atlantic Records Recording Artist Musiq Soulchild announced his new role as ambassador for Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Circle of Promise, a movement designed to further engage black women around the globe in the fight against breast cancer. As an ambassador for the movement, Musiq will raise awareness about breast cancer so that younger women know the importance of early detection and why it’s important to pay attention to their bodies. “Early detection is the key to winning the fight against breast cancer,” said Musiq. “Too often, black women are diagnosed in stage three and four when breast cancer is most difficult to treat. Some women are afraid to seek treatment for fear of losing their breasts or their hair. One’s physical appearance is much less important than the will to live. It’s time to remove the stigmas that are attached to this disease.” To put his cause where his mouth is, Musiq Soulchild will feature a group of breast cancer survivors in his upcoming music video...

T he Ba y Area’s Ankh Marketing celebrates its 7-year anniversary with DJ sets from neo-soul phenom Erykah Badu (as DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown) & multi-platinum producer/drummer Questlove on August 12th & 13th at The Mezzanine and Public Works in San Francisco , as the preeminent urban marketing and events production company continues it’s longstanding reign of bringing the most talented acts to Northern California   (San Francisco, California - August 2, 2011)   During the second weekend in August, Bay Area’s most renowned urban promotions and events production company Ankh Marketing will kick off their 7th year anniversary celebration in San Francisco with a series of exclusive events boasting a line up of A-list artists and a bevy of special guests. On Friday, August 12th , Ankh will present a special DJ set spun by Universal/Motown recording artist Erykah Badu - under her DJ moniker Lo Down Loretta Brown - at San Francisco’s top live music venue Mezzanine. On ...

Reports all weekend have been that Lauryn Hill gave birth on July 23rd to her 6th baby. Both are doing fine, though there was a delivery situation as the umbilical cord was reported to have been wrapped around the baby's neck. The name has yet to be released. Rohan Marley, son of the late, great Bob Marley fathered 5 children with Lauryn and has two from a previous relationship , but has yet to declare paternity for Ms. Hills newborn. Congratulations to Ms. Hill!!! We're still waiting for you to come back and make some beautiful music with your fans!!!! Until then, here is a classic from Lauryn Hill for you soul-seekers out there in the city... Mara Signing Off...

KINDRED THE FAMILY SOUL (LOVE HAS NO RECESSION)released IN STORES Everywhere on July 26th, !!! Be SURE TO PICK THIS ONE UP AND SUPPORT THE ARTISTS THAT MAKE MAGIC HAPPEN!!!    

LONDON (AP) — Amy Winehouse, the beehived soul-jazz diva whose self-destructive habits overshadowed a distinctive musical talent, was found dead Saturday in her London home, police said. She was 27. Winehouse shot to fame in 2006 with the album " Back to Black ," whose blend of jazz, soul, rock and classic pop was a global hit. It won five Grammys and made Winehouse — with her black beehive hairdo and old-fashioned sailor tattoos — one of music's most recognizable stars. But her personal life, with its drug and alcohol abuse, eating disorders and destructive relationships, soon took over her career. Police confirmed that a 27-year-old female was pronounced dead at the home in Camden Square northern London; the cause of death was not immediately known. London Ambulance Services said Winehouse had died before the two ambulance crews it sent arrived at the scene. Here's a tribute to such a soulful brit talent that left this troubled world too soon. Back to Black ...

Anyone who knows me knows that I am very passionate about what I believe in. Some call it faith, some call it principle. I am a journalist and yes, I write about music in its universalistic state, but I also write about the very things that are going on in our community, our country and in our world. So, I think it’s time that I weigh in on this whole Casey Anthony circus … I find something very wrong with our justice system, which has been broken for many, many years. You often here people say, when it comes to crimes such as this that “only in America can a person not only get away with murder, but have the potential to become a millionaire doing it”. Our jails are filled with drug-dealers and those that have been wrongfully accused of crimes with the very same “lack of evidence” that presented itself   at Casey Anthony’s trial, yet are serving years…away from their families, many wanting to be parents, wanting to love and just “be there” for their   loved-ones. While t...

Hello World!!! It's been a minute since I've been on my blog and boy oh boy, do I have some news for you... First off, the new Issue of Total Eclipse Magazine hits the streets in just a couple of weeks!!! Guess who is on our cover??? Here's a hint: This artist is someone that I've blogged about and has such a unique voice & spirit, that they deserve to get some shine!!! Stay tuned and subscribe now to Total Eclipse here . Also, I've just been asked to contribute to the E-zine,  Lioness Magazine !!! First issue due to drop in August....Thanks to Natasha Clark for thinking of me!!! Big Shout Out!!! to Mrs. "Boss" Lady herself, Syleena Johnson for a exciting interview and a look into her personal life as a mother, wife, entrepreneur, artist, songwriter and much, much more!!! We as black women sometimes, OK, most times, wear many hats. Let me just say, anyone who could simultaneously, record and/or perfect a track up in the studio, hold dow...

KEM PRESENTS: “KEM LIVE @ MACK & THIRD: A CALL TO SERVICE” Motown Recording Artist KEM’s Day-Long FREE Concert & Food Drive to Benefit the Homeless Returns to Detroit August 28 with Special Musical Guest - ‘Morris Day & The Time’ DETROIT, MI – Motown Recording Artist KEM is proud to announce his second “ KEM Live @ Mack & Third: A Call to Service ” event, a day-long free concert & food drive to benefit the homeless, that will take place Sunday, August 28, 2011 at Detroit’s Cass Park . In 2009, KEM , who still makes Detroit his home, hosted his first “ Mack & Third” event (which was named for the area where many of Detroit’s homeless citizens reside), served more than 500 of Detroit’s homeless citizens a meal, collected nearly 40,000 canned goods and 20,000 people enjoyed the free event. It was KEM’s first large-scale effort to give back to Detroit’s homeless community and its services, which supported him throughout his journey from homelessne...

Here's a throw back from my boy Erro and a free gift for the summertime !!! N'JOY!! Mara

Sexy new single from Mz. Kelly Rowland...getting you ready for a sizzling summer in the city!

Welcome to Jam Rock! I had the opportunity to grab a quick bite to eat on my way back to work today and so, I stopped by Jam Rock Restaurant located at the corner of Wilbraham Rd. and Rutland St . I had heard some good things about this place and so decided to stop by and check them out!!! As I entered the fairly small café style diner, I was greeted to the sound of Gospel music, which I thought was really nice, yet different from the norm for a Jamaican-style restaurant. The collage of West-Indian socials and upcoming events were plastered on the walls for all to see and inquire about. The counter was mid-level which was great, being that I’m not that tall, I could actually make eye contact,(lol)and the colors, old, which gave off the jammin’ vibration and helped create an atmosphere of “happy feelings” (shout of to Maze featuring Frankie Beverly). As I approached the counter, I was greeted by a young lady that I assumed would already give me attitude from the jump, like most youn...

Shout out to all the Good Men in the City!!!

  Mara Hunter w/sister, Barbara & Anthony Anderson, NYC   Mara Hunter, Eric Roberson & Big Brooklyn Red, Indie Soul Fest   Mara Hunter w/sister Barbara & D.L. Hughley   Mara Hunter & Malinda Williams Mara Hunter & Mathew Knowles bka (Beyonce's daddy), lol