Queen Pen is back.  HUH?  That’s what we said too…

Dr Dre’s rhyme partner on Black Street’s classic “No Diggity” will be releasing a 2010 calendar with celebrity photographer Greg Frederick.

The calendar is said to encompass all that Queen Pen embodies today, creating a vision of her roles as a mother, role model, artist, advocate and author, through portrait.

Frederick spoke of the calendar stating,

“It is not a calendar just of images of Queen Pen, but pieces of art created from images I shot with her over the year.  Each month includes a Queen Pen quote to get your thoughts going throughout each month along with important Queen Pen dates within the calendar.”

Also with the calendar Greg Frederick has designed an exclusive Queen Pen shirt available for purchase with the calendar or separate on his website at www.gregfrederick.com.

Away from the music business for a minute, Queen Pen has been working for the last few years with at risk teens and speaking in juvenile prisons, group homes, inner city schools, and facilities for young mothers.

She is also an accomplished author with two books, “Situations” and “Blossom” selling over 70,000 copies collectively with a third book on the way. She is currently adding dates for her bookstore tour, where she is reading passages out of her new book and discussing past work with fans and supporters.

In 2008, she united with The Coalition of Family Justice to open Silent Cries, an organization to help battered women and children overcome domestic violence.

Queen Pen also plans a comeback to the mic next year and is in the lab with her longtime producer Teddy Riley.  Besides recording the remix to “Brooklyn” by MC Lyte and being featured in the video, Queen Pen also manages her son Nefu Da Don and Reggae artist Suave Luciano.

Just got hold of this bad-boy. Pure soul, and some charming anecdotes along the way, too. Apparently the LP changes hands for a couple of hundred quid these days so if you spot it on your travels then grab a copy for me, too.

The whole album’s killer but for me the version of Grandma’s Hands is a proper Michael Winner. No diggity.

Bill Withers – Grandma’s Hands (live at Carnegie Hall)

A good cover is distinct and fresh without losing the essence of the original. Once the melody hits, the listener should have an “Oh! I know and love this song!” moment. It’s also nice when a cover clears up a few lyrics that have previously gone misheard.

I hope The Klaxons (pictured above) receive some much deserved street-cred for playing Blackstreet.

No Diggity (Blackstreet Cover) – The Klaxons

Heart It Races (Architecture in Helsinki Cover) – Dr. Dog

Don’t Stop The Music (Rihanna Cover) – The Bird and The Bee

Good Life (Kanye Cover) – Nite Club

Love Will Tear Us Apart (Joy Division Cover) – Nouvelle Vague

I’m Good I’m Gone (Lykke Li Cover) – Friendly Fires

Playground Love (Air Cover, Acoustic) – Phoenix

Acclaimed singer/producer TEDDY RILEY is reuniting his former groups GUY and BLACKSTREET to release new music. The star was joined by his Guy bandmates, brothers Aaron and Damion Hall, and Blackstreet singers Chauncey Hannibal and Eric Williams at Tony Neal’s 5th Annual Core DJ Retreat in Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday (25Apr09), when they spoke on a panel discussing how to succeed in the music industry. But the musicians surprised attendees by making the special announcement at the DJ event, which focuses on education, professional development and networking. According to AllHipHop.com, Riley told the crowd, “It took a lot for us to get here”, before Hall treated attendees to a song. Guy enjoyed chart success in the 1980s and early ’90s and are widely credited as pioneers of the new jack swing movement. Riley went on to form Blackstreet in 1992 and claimed a Grammy Award in 1998 for their smash hit No Diggity.

Via: Contact Music

WTF!!?!???!!

I was watching last Friday’s episode of Psyche last night before hitting the sheets and they sang a portion of this jam during the end credits.  It reminded how dope it was (and in general how awesome early nineties R&B was).  One of our readers suggested a little Blackstreet, “No Diggity” for the blog.  Obviously we are all well aware of this jam (it came out while I was in high school and received serious radio play on both KMEL and KYLD – my radio stations of choice back in the day).  I even considered posting some alternate versions of the jam (I personally enjoy remixes done by Aphrodite and Morcheeba) but, instead, decided on this slightly older song, for the more mature crowd.  WARNING: Ladies, this song may make you want to take your panties off.  Please consult a certified expert to avoid any complications.  We here at Too Old are pros ourselves, and would be willing to assist you or provide a solid referral.

The song of the day: Silk, “Freak Me.”  Enjoy…

No Diggity

ReggaeMusicVideoLyrics¨Gratis¨

‘No diggity’