D'Angelo Neo-soul Genre Pioneer Passes

      Photo Credit- Roquai Creative Commons

 Grammy award winning recording artist and Neo-soul genre pioneer D'Angelo passed away yesterday at the age of 51 after a courageous private battle with pancreatic cancer. He was surrounded by his family. 

We send out our prayers of comfort and supportive  condolences to his family and friends. Stay tuned for podcast.

Rest in love, peace and honor.

Cynthia Wilson and the Chaplains ministry team

Kenny 'Babyface' Edmonds Honored by National Action Network(NAN) with 2025 Activism in the Arts Award

 

                Photo Source- WikipediaWikipedia

13 time Grammy winner, multi-platinum recording artist, producer, singer, songwriter, composer and arranger Kenny 'Babyface" Edmonds honored at 2025 National Action Network Triumph Awards with Activist in the Arts award by Reverend Al Sharpton. The event was held in New York City. 

Babyface paid special homage to Rev. Al and encouraged the community to lift him up more and show appreciation for his continual fight for us. He shared the sentiment and I am paraphrasing...that we don't show him the kind of appreciation that he so richly deserves. He also mentioned his mother and expressed his gratitude for her instilling in him the value of always being humble. 

Babyface has written numerous songs and has maintained his iconic status spanning nearly five decades penning and arranging top 10 hits for not only himself but many other iconic artists including Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton and composed songs for the soundtrack of the blockbuster film "Waiting to Exhale". He has also collaborated with other iconic artists  including  Eric Clapton, Barbara Streisand, Madonna, Boys to Men, Ariana Grande,etc. The list goes on and on.

Congratulations Babyface! May God continue to bless you and use your musical gifts to uplift and encourage others.

Kimmel Suspension Stirs Outrage and Protests AboutFree Speech and Democracy

 

They've taken this retaliation for speaking one's mind and for good old-fashioned satire, which we all need sometimes to add a twist of humor to the ridiculous, ironic and absurd in our everyday lives, a little too far this time. Indefinitely suspending Kimmel was an outrage and using government influence to come down on an American citizen for exercising his constitutional right is unconstitutional. Freedom of speech is as American as Apple pie. Recognizing, of course, historical denials to certain people and races throughout the decades, including many of my ancestors and even some of us today. But as Obama eloquently  states and I am paraphrasing him, democracy is not self-executing, it has to be fought for.

 

 WE the people have to uphold the rights and values we hold so dear. And from all recent bellwethers, they must be defended fervently now more than ever. According to the Economic Times Disney experienced a 5 billion dollar loss in market share with a

2% decrease in stock from cancellations of Hulu and Disney subscriptions from consumers as a form of protest of Kimmel's suspension.

So, Kimmel, being canceled, suspended from his job for cracking jokes about politics and the antics of our politicians, which he has often done on his show, is a threat to the exercise of free speech. Millions worldwide Blacks, Latinos, Whites, etc., look forward to his show. His monologues are hilarious and often take the hostile edge off of some recently infuriating situations caused by this unprecedented MAGA takeover of our politics, diverse culture and 'any' media critical of the current administration. 

Many have lost jobs and livelihoods. Some didn't even have to say anything to get canceled, including thousands of women and black women were just fired, fired across the Federal government.Thirty thousand 30,000 have lost their jobs so far and counting. And now a black woman who serves and was appointed the first black woman to serve as a Federal Reserve Governor-- Lisa Cook is fighting for her job. So is a black woman district attorney in New York, Letitia James being targeted. So was a black woman journalist Karen Attiah fired from the Washington Post- because of her reporting on Charlie Kirk.

But not only have late night icons like Kimmel, Colbert and public figures like Cook and James and Washington Post journalist Karen Attiah come under attack. Everyday people are often unsuspectingly being outright blocked and censored by enforcers who may harass or shortstop their commentary and other forms of social media that they find unacceptable on the current administration. Some may even feel that they might miss out on the opportunity to make billions  if they crack the wrong joke or make an awkward remark at the wrong time.Whammo! Instant cancelation, freeze on opportunities or hunt down and targeting.

Please be informed, some Americans refuse to sell their souls or the soul of America, the embodiment of our great freedoms of speech, association and expression for "filthy lucre"(1 Peter 5:2).But as an American, you are free to make that choice.

 Of course, tact has it's place. But, there is value in saying what you have been moved to say, sometimes what has been scripted for you to say and often what needs to be said. In America we have many divergent voices--preachers, public commentators, politicians, journalists,professors, artists and comedians for starters. Sometimes it's profound, sometimes it's transformative, sometimes it's educational, sometimes it's humorous, sometimes it's offensive to some, yet what is said may be funny or consoling to others. 

Keep our country free and protected from governmental suppression of individual rights under duress of big business conglomerates or iconic billionaires. We need  our First Amendment freedoms  thriving in a democracy. Throughout history over hundreds of years, many in this country have  strived for a working  democracy. It hasn't ever been easy. But anything worth having they say is worth fighting for.

Thank God we as American citizens can take our differences to the public square, speak out, reach out to the media and/or ultimately the ballot box and make our views known without fear of reprisal.

I'm glad Kimmel's show is back! His show was reinstated by Disney and aired to much anticipation last night. The View  had a very good summary of his monologue on their show this morning.

 I'd like to see others that have been unjustly fired from their positions for political reasons also reinstated as well, or the looming and potentially autocratic dogs called off.

Please keep our leaders, our citizens, our friends,  we the people-- our diverse nation of varied and collective speech and voices, our President and our country America, lifted in prayer🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿!  We Must give our prayers feet by following up with constructive action and stepping out on the power of god's word. Staying actively engaged, helping those who need it along the way assure and assuring  that justice and righteousness prevail.

Continued prayer for the family of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk as well. I did not agree with his views. But I  stand for freedom of speech and his right to express his views.

#upcomingsermonpreview
#whatdoesitprofit?thesoulofamerica?
#upcomingTee
#thesermoniswritten
#maygodrestcharliekirkssoul

(Edited 9.19.25 @ 12:12 p.m., 10.13.25 @1:52p.m.

Grace for the World at the Vatican-September 15, 2025

 The Grace for the World Concert was held September 15, 2025 was an astoundingly beautiful event, bringing people of different races and nationalities, over 250,000 from all across the globe together with music peaceably at one of the most storied religious institutions on the planet.  This all came together under the watch of the Vatican's first American Pope Leo  who extended a warm greeting to all those in attendance. 

 Link to gospel segment video short here.

Let us continue to pray for our world, for unity, prosperity, harmony among nations and an end to forever wars.  Let us send up fervent prayers for lasting peace.

Amen, Shalom and Ase.

Cynthia D. Wilson,

Blog Founder and Editor

"Chaplain of Pop"

Blog Edit & Update to Cynthia Wilson's Profile:Special Podcast Episode

 

After serving as Administrator and Author of this and related blogs for nearly 20 years (Heavier Octaves, Creativesselministries, HO High Notes and more recently Cheering Obama On (circa 2012-2015) I am "slowing my roll" to the more passive role of Founder, Editor, Writer, fundraiser and artist. 

  I will remain in the background as a 'mentor-administrator' though. This will allow me to keep my hand in things, focus more on educating our youth about the intersection of theology, music,art and politics while  maintaining some say about the publications' funding administratively. It will also give me the opportunity to focus on the recapture and capitalization of related enterprises that have blossomed or sprouted from my blogs going forward. 

 I will remain active via newsletter, podcasts, online classes, email and phone calls. Please direct any questions or concerns to me at creativessel@gmail.com.

 You may also make donations to my Cash app, Buy Me a Coffee(above), Zelle,etc., so I can pay my bills  on time while also traveling the world(😉).

Hopefully, I will get the donations THIS TIME!

Use the QR Codes above for Buymeacoffee and Cash App

 My corresponding fundraising links are set forth below:

https://buymeacoffee.com/cynthiawilsonspeakswrites

https://cash.app/$cyndwilso

For donations via Zelle just dial my phone number 313-495-2888 and enter the amount in the blank provided if you have a Zelle account with your bank.

It's been some long hot summers. But I'm making it by the grace of god! Also listen to my podcast "God's Riches in Glory" here or at the link provided in the lower righthand column of the web version of this blog. Find the web version link near the bottom of this page located just above my profile.

Keep me in your prayers 🙏🏿 

Thank you,

Cynthia Wilson-Founder

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