music videos – Divabetic

03/18/202403/18/2024

Divabetic Salutes Natalie Cole

“I think that I am a walking testimony to you can have scars. You can go through turbulent times and still have victory in your life,” Natalie Cole said.

When she was a girl, Natalie Cole started singing with her father, crooner Nat King Cole. She made her first recording at age 6; by 11, she was performing on TV alongside her dad.

She won two Grammy Awards, Best New Artist and Best Female R&B Performance, for her debut album, “Inseparable” in 1975.

Her third — and first platinum — album, “Unpredictable,” spawned another No. 1 R&B hit: “I’ve Got Love on My Mind.”

Her fourth album, “Thankful,” features one of my favorite songs, the smooth and sultry ballad “Our Love.” It was written by Cole’s regular team of Chuck Jackson and Marvin Yancy, both former members of the R&B group the Independents.

In 1979, Natalie Cole received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, signifying and solidifying her prowess as a performer.

But her ongoing recreational use of substances turned into a heavy, crippling drug addiction.

In her autobiography, “Angel on my Shoulder,” she wrote, “I never got to make the transition from little girl to young woman … and that really screws you up.”

Her addiction became so prominent in her life that, on more than one occasion, it nearly killed her. She overcame her addiction after checking into rehab.

Our friend, Jennifer Jacobs, who worked with Natalie Cole on several of her music tours, shares her memories of working with this extraordinary woman on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast inspired by Adele.

After becoming sober, Natalie Cole returned in the 1990s with “Unforgettable… with Love”, featuring renditions of songs previously sung by her father.

When Natalie Cole began her career, she admitted she was determined not to capitalize on her father’s name and wanted to forge her separate identity. In an interview, she said, “My father led by example. He wasn’t much of a talker—he walked life.” For many years, she also found the prospect of recording her late father’s songs too painful on a personal level. But overcoming her fears certainly paid off.

The album’s breakout single, “Unforgettable,” features a track dubbed over a previous Nat King Cole recording to create a father-daughter duet. The album sold over 11 million copies and garnered several honors, including seven Grammys, Record of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year.

One of my other favorite moments from Natalie Cole’s career is when you replaced Whitney Houston at the Oscars and performed “Run To You” and “I Have Nothing” from the Bodyguard soundtrack.

In 2008, Natalie Cole was diagnosed with hepatitis C, a disease of the liver. She received a kidney transplant after her kidneys began to fail.

I just wanted to say a big thank you for checking out my Women & Music series for Women’s History Month. I had a blast creating artwork for each of my favorite performers and learning more about their amazing lives. I hope you had as much fun reading it as I did creating it!

Join us for our Luther Vandross: Never Too Much birthday celebration featuring a Music Panel, Fashion Show, Luther Trivia Games, Live Performances, Style Vendors, and a Live DJ on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.

Come dressed in your Big 80s Bling!

Luther Vandross was known for wearing rhinestones, silk tuxedos, and tailcoats on stage and Versace, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, and Tom Ford off-stage! He wasn’t afraid of bright colors, animal prints, geometric patterns, and fringe. His style and incredible showmanship brought him legions of fans worldwide.

We’re celebrating the Glitz, Glamour, and Romantic Elegance that made his concerts memorable and set him apart from other entertainers.

MUSIC PANEL: Luther’s Vocalist, Cindy Mizelle, Luther’s Choreographer, James Ervin, and Graffiti Glamour Makeup Artistry Founder Alicia Mitchell give us a closer look into the Shine of the Rhinestones, Big Luscious Hairstyles, Bold Makeup, Graceful Moves, and Tight Harmonies comprising Luther’s iconic stage shows. Hosted by Max Szadek.

FASHION SHOW: Designers showcase their gorgeous creations inspired by Luther Vandross’s romantic elegance. See the latest styles from Harlem’s Heaven and Modafleur, among others! Hosted by Catherine Schuller.

LIVE PERFORMANCE: Luther’s most iconic songs performed by Luther’s most iconic songs by vocalist Keith Anthony Fluitt.

STYLISH VENDORS: Shop for apparel, jewelry, and teas from a dazzling array of small entrepreneurs.

COCKTAILS & LITE BITES: Enjoy signature cocktails and delicious appetizers.

10/10/202010/10/2020

Let’s Talk About Salt PSA featuring Cheryl “Salt” James

More than half of the US population has hypertension and it is more prevalent in the Black community. We know that cutting back on salt can improve blood pressure control and save lives. Our animated music video and song, “Let’s Talk about Salt” provides evidence-based tips on how to do this in a fun and relatable way.

“Let’s Talk About Salt” is a animated music video PSA starring Grammy®-winning Cheryl “Salt” James from the iconic group, Salt-N-Pepa.

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke, which together kills more New Yorkers than any other disease.

About one in four New Yorkers has high blood pressure, but there are usually no symptoms. Black and Latino adults are more likely to have high blood pressure than other races/ethnicities.

Blood pressure is the force of blood moving through your blood vessels. The higher it is, the more damage it can do to the inside of your blood vessels. High blood pressure can also lead to problems with your kidneys, eyes and to sexual dysfunction.

Everyone should know their blood pressure. You can get it checked by asking your health care provider, visiting a pharmacy or checking it yourself using a home monitor.

Hip Hop Public Health’s 2020 rendition which was funded in part through the American Heart Association’s New York City Community Impact Grant encourages hypertension prevention by teaching young people about healthy eating and salt consumption with a visually stimulating music video.

Hip Hop Public Health’s mission is to foster positive health behavior change through the transformative power of hip-hop music.

Understanding Your Blood Pressure Numbers

Blood pressure is reported with two numbers, one written over the other. The top number, systolic blood pressure, reflects the amount of pressure in your arteries when your heart squeezes to pump blood. The bottom number, diastolic blood pressure, reflects the amount of pressure in your arteries when your heart relaxes between heartbeats.

For People Not Diagnosed with Hypertension

Systolic (upper)	Diastolic (lower)	Category and Recommended Action
Below 120 and	Below 80	Normal. No action necessary.
120–139 or	80–89	Elevated. Talk with your your health care provider at your normally scheduled visit.
140–179 or	90–109	High. Talk with your health care provider soon.
180 or Higher or	110 or Higher	Dangerously High. You could be in danger. Get medical care immediately.

MORE INFORMATION

08/19/2017

What’s Trending At Divabetic this Week

Check out the latest headlines in diabetes, diabetes self-management, healthy lifestyles and diva entertainment that caught our eye this week

What’s Trending: 6 Things People With Diabetes Can Do To Have a More Supportive Partner

People with diabetes who are married to a supportive partner have a secret weapon in helping to better manage their disease reports the OnTrack Diabetes website. However, it’s also common for tension, misunderstandings—and even unintentional sabotage—get in the way of your relationship, even when your spouse wants the best for you.

“I go to a diabetes support group . . . I have a place where I can go and talk. But I am concerned he has nobody to talk to except me and he is not coming to me with his fears,” a woman with diabetes explained in a recent survey.

These strategies can help you get the support you need from your spouse, so you can work as a team to stay healthy READ MORE

What’s Trending: Mom says Daughter was Not Permitted on Water Slides due to Insulin Pump

A 12-year-old girl with type one diabetes says she was not permitted to ride the water slides at a public water park in Kettering because of the insulin pump attached to her body reports Fox 45Now.com.

12-year-old Alexis said a lifeguard told her the reason she could not ride was the insulin pump attached to her right hip.

“It was that one slide and that one lifeguard, that when I walked up there she pointed at my insulin pump and said you cannot go on the slide with that on,” Alexis said.

Alexis said the pump makes her insecure and this was the first occasion that she had worn a two-piece bathing suit and exposed it in public. READ MORE

What’s Trending: Proof that Your Life is ‘Richer’ from Growing & Eating Vegetables! (Canadian woman, finds long-lost Diamond Ring wrapped around Carrot)

After losing her engagement ring on her family farm more than a decade ago, Canadian Mary Grams resigned herself to the idea she would never see it again reports the Guardian.

That is, until the diamond ring showed up this week – 13 years after she lost it –wrapped tightly around a misshapen carrot that had been freshly plucked from the garden.

The 84-year-old said she likely lost the ring as she was pulling a large weed from her farm in central Alberta in 2004, prompting a frantic search. “We looked high and low on our hands and knees … we couldn’t find it. I thought for sure either they rototilled it or something happened to it,” she told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. “I cried so many times.” READ MORE

What’s Trending: ‘Girls Trip’ Crosses $100 Million at Domestic Box Office

Universal Pictures’ “Girls Trip” has crossed the $100 million mark at the domestic box office after four weeks, to become the studio’s sixth film to reach that milestone this year reports Variety.

“Girls Trip” has also taken in $9.9 million internationally as it starts its foreign rollout. Australia and Romania will release the film on Aug. 31, with additional markets launching the film through the end of the year. READ MORE

What’s Trending: Donatella Versace ‘Lip Syncs for Her Life’ to ‘Versace On The Floor’

Donatella Versace was the muse to her brother – the late, great Gianni Versace – before she took over the reigns at the house. It’s great to see her having fun with her image!

With a gang of models – all dressed in Versace, of course – the Italian designer mouths the words to Bruno Mars’ song, “Versace on the Floor”, dancing around what is presumably a room in the grand Versace mansion. Serena Williams and Bruno Mars himself were among the fans commenting on the Instagram post. With any luck, it will become the official music video for the song. Donatella proving once again that she lives up to the ‘Don’ in her name. READ MORE