Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce the REAL...

Today, we lost yet another iconic African-American... Gerald LeVert. (He will always be missed, and I feel fortunate to have been able to see him perform in 2002). When I heard about the loss, it really got me thinking. Gerald had that passion... that one-of-a-kind come-hither voice that made you believe regardless of whatever he had done, his intentions were honorable. When I look at the young crop of R&B crooners, I can't help but shake my head at the fact that no one has the voice, the charisma, or the intensity to match he was the artist behing "The G Spot."

There's something to be said for passion... intensity... open honesty. These things always came across in Gerald's music. In my tangent thought process, I recognized the ladies loved Gerald because he was never afraid to act a fool and pour his heart out in pursuit. Sadly, this made his music celebrity image more appealing to a lot of women than that of the real men we encounter on a daily basis. Though there are always debates about what we girls want and what we don't, I think I can speak for all when I say what we truly require is love and respect.

Love, in all of its abstractness, includes euphoric and sometimes senseless passion that when wielded correctly, drives a woman wild. All any real woman needs is to see a man is willing to do a little wildin' out for her because when emotionally vested, we naturally do the same. Even the man who is usually a little undesirable can earn kudos when he lets it all hang loose (lol). Respect is simply knowing you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar (though that colloquialism has always puzzled me... who wants a bunch of flies???) These concepts are simple in theory, but extremely complicated in practice...

So, though today was a tragedy for those who love unbridled passion in their R&B/soul music, take a lesson from the dead. Life is too short to live blandly. Seize each moment. Love when it feels right. Love like you want to be loved. Share your feelings when given the chance. And, do it all like there is no tomorrow.

ciao...