Comedian. Television host. Movie Star. Top-rated syndicated Radio Personality. Father of 6. For over 20 years. Rickey Smiley is one of the most beloved performers in American media, earning a reputation for delivering boundless laughter on-air, on-stage, and on-screen. Every morning, millions of Americans in nearly 60 cities listen to Rickey Smiley and his 6 outrageous cast members on “The Rickey Smiley Morning Show.” His interviews with major celebrities, social political awareness and trademark prank phone calls have made Smiley one of the most listened to radio personalities in history. Rickey Smiley’s down home southern humor, opting to use insight rather than vulgarity to get laughs, is at the core of his success. His audiences are treated to such original characters as “Mrs. Bernice Jenkins”, “Lil’ Darrl,” “Joe Willie” and “Beauford.” Smiley is known for his clean comedic style and his reputation to sell out venues across the country. To movie audiences, Smiley is best known for “All About The Benjamins” and “Friday After Next”. He’s recorded 8 best selling CDs including iTunes #1 Best Selling Comedy Album, “Rickey Smiley- Prank Calls Number 6”. On television he”s hosted BET’s “Open Casket Sharp” and “Comic View”, appeared on “Showtime At The Apollo,” “Uptown Comedy Club”, HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam”and “Snaps”. Smiley graduated from Alabama State University, became KBFB’s (Dallas) morning show personality in 2004, and soon moved his show to WHTA Atlanta. When not performing, Smiley is the ultimate devoted father, single-handedly raising 6 kids, the subject of a soon to be released parenting book. QUOTE: “Success is when preparation meets opportunity” @thersms
For almost 30 years, Mary J. Blige has been the reigning queen of hip hop and soulful music. Despite all the trials and tribulations the Yonkers native has faced over the years, she still managed to bare her entire with every album, performance and video.
R&B and Soul artists today have Mary to thank for blazing a trail that has allowed them to be so raw and honest in their music. It’s been a long time coming for MJB. And often times we didn’t know the personal battles our Queen was enduring as she was giving us such glorious music. Especially when it came to her relationships.
Back in 2017, the Strength Of A Woman singer went through a nasty, public divorce from ex husband Kendu Isaacs. Once the divorce was finalized, she began to speak out about how she regrets giving him credit for helping end her drug addiction.
“I wanted a savior. I’d been hurting so long, and so much, and so bad. I’ve seen visions of what I would look like if I kept doing drugs,” she said. “If I saw myself almost dying, or if I almost died, or almost O.D.’d, why would I do that again? He did not deserve that credit.”
And once again, as she’s shown us the last three decades, nothing can stop the nine-time Grammy winner from bouncing back and being great. In honor of MJB’s solar return,, check out these epic performances by that proves she’ll forever be the queen of hip hop and soul.
