Omarosa Manigault accepting Spotlight Award at Gemini’s Give Back event in Manhattan. Photo Provided By: Ivan McCartney Photography

The New York Metropolitan area was infused with happenings yesterday. The Puerto Rican Day Parade was a hit during the day in midtown Manhattan, Hot 97’s Summer Jam was the place to be in the early evening at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. But, the late night belonged to Melky Jean and her Carma Foundation in Manhattan’s West Village. 

The Grammy-nominated songwriter and sister of musician Wyclef Jean, not only celebrated her birthday, but she also celebrated the ten year anniversary of her non- profit and it’s Gemini’s Give Back event at Invite Only nightclub. 

Long before the Haiti Earthquakes in 2010, Carma has been addressing the needs of Haitian people. Geminis Give Back is always a highly anticipated event which has garnered the support of various celebrities such as Anderson Cooper, John Legend, Patti Labelle, Ashley Graham, Hill Harper, Vivica Fox and Lynn Whitfield.

“It was surreal,” Melky Jean told me via text message. “A dream come true.”

Melky Jean & Wyclef Jean Signing Hymne National D’Haiti at Andre Berto Fight Back In 2010

Melky Jean engaging with family and friends at her Carma Foundation Party. Photo Provided By: Ivan McCartney Photography

Former Celebrity Apprentice star, Omarosa Manigault was this years honoree. Now Director of Communications for the Office of Public Liaison for U.S. President Donald Trump, Manigault was honored with a Carma Foundation Spotlight Award, an award given to notables who shine light on political issues. Manigault has been vocal in the U.N.’s role in the Cholera outbreak in Haiti. Manigault, a close friend of Melky Jean, was happy to receive her award.

While on the red carpet, the political strategist took her obligatory photos with award in hand, expressed her ‘thank you’s,’ but declined interviews despite accepting such a prestigious award.  “I can’t do interviews unless you arrange it through the White House,” she told me.

“I know that sounds weird.” 

Other notables in attendance were Peter Kellner, the founder and Managing Partner of Endeavor Global. Additionally, Robert Jones, a Senior Executive at General Electric was in attendance and received a Carma Foundation Leadership Award. Actor, John Amos were also in attendance along with celebrity chef, ChefTheRose, Miami 103.5 The Beat’s radio personality K. Foxx. 

Featured Sponsors for Carma Foundation Include: Chef the Rose, Toast Vodka, Bartunera, Papi Wines, Pray Urban Attire, Love Logan Productions, Invite Only, G Carma Inc, Scotch Porter, Law Swag Flu, & Vamp Life Clothing.

For more info on Melky Jean’s Carma Foundation, visit: www.carmafoundation.org

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The post Scoop B: Melky Jean, Sister of Wyclef, Honors Trump Aide, Omarosa Manigault With Spotlight Award At Manhattan Birthday Bash appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

On Sunday, residents of Haiti will choose from among 27 candidates for president.

Despite parts of Haiti still in shambles following the effects of Hurricane Matthew, Haitians will try to elect a president. This process has been delayed for about a year. In October 2015, a special commission found that the election was tainted by fraud.

“The upcoming elections will be crucial for the democratic future of the country,” said Interim President Jocelerme Privert in a national address this week.

The top two finishers will then compete in a runoff that will take place on January 29. “We’re in an interim government,” musician Wyclef Jean told me on yesterday’s episode of Scoop B Radio. “We continue to be very active on the ground.”

Check Out Wyclef Jean And His Wife Marie Claudinette On Thursday’s Episode of The Scoop B Radio Podcast

Jean, a dual citizen of the United States and Haiti says that he voted in the election and encourages others in Haiti to do the same. “Until there’s an election, or until something happens, you’re going to have a situation where the country’s still sticky, but hopefully, after the election things will pick back up,” Jean said.

Haitian residents will also be responsible for electing 16 senators and 25 members of the Chamber of Deputies.“Every vote counts, that goes for every country,” said Jean. “Exercise your vote and make it work.”

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Do you dream of making it big? Everybody sees the success but never the hustle. What does it take?  How do you start? These are some of the questions someone looking for success in the music business might ask and RESPECT. is going help answer some of those questions as we pick the brain of Aaron “Ace” Christian who is Wyclef Jean‘s A&R representative and Raw Papers entertainment liaison, helping Moosa from Top Dawg Entertainment with a 24-hour weed delivery business and more. If you want to learn something about working in the music business this is for you, so show a little respect and listen:

The post A&R Representative Aaron “Ace” Christian Talks Hip-Hop, Wyclef Jean, and More appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The post New Mixtape: Dizzy Wright – <em>The Golden Age</em> appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

“911“, a combination of hip hop, r&b, and reggae fusion, was originally recorded under the roof of NYC famous “Hit Factory” in 2000. The song, which samples from Eddie Brickwell and the New Bohemians‘ “What I Am”, depicts two star-crossed lovers whose love and desire to be together are undermined, time and time again, by the dark lifestyles they live in the inner city. The track earned Wyclef Jean and Mary J Blige a Grammy nomination and a place in everyone’s memories as one of the best hip hop duets to come out at the turn of the millennium. Don’t forget about it.

The post RESPECT. Your Elders: Wyclef Jean x Mary J Blige – “911” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Music speaks to people, but sometimes it’s just not enough. Accordingly, sometimes artists like to speak to the people directly. In September, Alicia Keys and Wyclef Jean will be taking on this approach with live conversations. Put on by 92Y, these are talks that you definitely don’t want to miss. For more details, and to purchase tickets, visit the 92Y website.

The post The 92Y Presents Alicia Keys and Wyclef Jean in Conversation appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

New Jersey’s Kyle Rapps, an up-and-comer with some impressive co-signs, having recorded with KRS-One and Joell Ortiz and opened for Wyclef Jean and Dead Prez, has some new fire for you. Working with yet another established collaborator, Talib Kweli, “Universe Traveler” is definitely a worthy introduction to his body of work. Spitting over a beat adapted from a sample from French electronic group Air, both MCs bring a relaxed flow that fits the song perfectly. Rapps should be dropping the rest of his mixtape, On Air, in the coming days; if the rest of the tracks live up to this standard, it’ll be in heavy summer listening rotation.

Via NahRight

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