Twenty-five years ago, The Boy Is Mineby Brandy and Monica reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on June 6, 1998. The rivalry between the two divas on and off the record seems to parallel the tension between people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
“Initially, when I started Divabetic, many people with type 1 diabetes gave me grief about hosting diabetes support groups open to all types of people,” says Max Szadek. “They wanted the group to be for type 1 only. But I have a brother with type 1 diabetes and a family history of type 2 diabetes, so I refused. He adds, “I’m glad I did, too, because the people living with type 1 diabetes mentored those with type 2 diabetes about their daily self-care. They showed people it was possible to live well with the disease.”
The root of disdain between the two types of people living with diabetes stems from the general public’s inability to distinguish between them. We often hear stories about diabetes in the media, but it’s rarely mentioned what specific type they’re talking about. Diabetes is a complex health condition.
The two types may share the same name, but each has distinct characteristics, causes, symptoms, and management methods. By having a clearer understanding of these two major types of diabetes, we can help those living with the disease, promote awareness, foster community, and understand the role that research plays.
Type 1 is a form of diabetes where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.
Type 2 is a form where the body still produces insulin but cannot use it effectively. This is known as insulin resistance. Over time, the demand for insulin overpowers the pancreas’ ability to produce it, leading to an insulin deficiency.
The sheer number of people living with type 2 diabetes also makes people assume everyone has type 2 diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control states more than 37 million Americans have diabetes (about 1 in 10), and approximately 90-95% have type 2 diabetes. Just 5 percent of people have type 1.
Perhaps the fact that it’s not always clear what type of diabetes someone has is part of the problem.
For instance, the typical assumption is that people with type 2 diabetes will be overweight and not use insulin therapy, while people with type 1 diabetes will be, if anything, underweight.
But these perceptions just aren’t always accurate. Around 20% of people with type 2 diabetes are of a healthy weight when diagnosed, and many of them use insulin therapy.
The song was initially written as a solo track for Brandy by Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins. But ultimately, Brandy and Monica recorded the song as a duet to squash rumors of their rivalry. During the song production, Brandy and Rodney decided the song would work better as a duet and were inspired by Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson‘s The Girl Is Mine.
Brandy asked her label to approach Monica as a gesture of goodwill to combat rumors of a rivalry. With her label’s permission, Monica jumped on board, and the single was released in the spring of 1998, quickly dominating the airwaves and climbing to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The official music video of The Boy Is Mine by Brandy & Monica from the album Never Say Neverwas released in 1998.
Choosing Friendship Over Drama
Sadly the song’s success didn’t translate to love for each other in real life. In a 2012 radio interview, Monica said, “We were young. We could barely stay in the room with each other. By no means was it jealousy or envy. She and I are polar opposites, and instead of embracing that, we used our differences as reasons not to be amongst each other.”
Jet Magazine’s Senior Writer and Editor, Clarence Waldron, shares his experience living with stroke, its recovery, and memories of interviewing Luther Vandross and Aretha Franklin on this episode of Divabetic’s podcast.
Coincidentally, Aretha and Luther teamed up on the duet Doctor’s Orders. Luther and Aretha developed a dynamic musical partnership, leading to beautiful and triumphant music. Luther told Rolling Stone magazine, “Aretha was one of my key influences, as I used to walk to school carrying my school books along with her album!” As time progressed, hits progressed. Jump To: The tag-team duo’s signature classic gave Aretha her tenth #1 R&B album.
Their electrifying duet, Doctor’s Orders, appears on Aretha’s album What You See Is What You Sweat (1991). We are ever so grateful to have experienced the impeccable talents of two gifted, legendary artists.
On Divabetic’s podcast, Clarence Waldron shares his stroke, recovery, working as Senior Writer and Editor from Jet Magazine, and his memories of legends Luther Vandross and Aretha Franklin.
Twenty years ago, Clarence interviewed Luther’s mother, Mrs. Mary Ida Vandross, for Jet Magazine after Luther suffered a stroke due to mismanaged type 2 diabetes.
When I was growing up Jet Magazine was everywhere — barbershops, salons, and waiting rooms. The digest-size magazine featured pop culture stories, What’s On TV, Wedding Announcements and Anniversaries, the (in)famous Jet Beauty of the Week, and Jet’s Top 20 Singles.
Clarence’s story is an excellent reminder of why it’s essential to ACT F.A.S.T. if you or a loved one is experiencing a stroke. The acronym FAST (Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and Time) has been used by the American Stroke Association, American Heart Association, and others to educate the public on detecting stroke symptoms.
Earlier treatment results in a greater chance of recovery, a reduced likelihood of permanent disability, and a lesser need for extensive rehabilitation.
You’ll quickly hear Clarence’s upbeat attitude and ferocious appetite for music and divas have served him well during his recovery.
Throughout this podcast, we feature music from Aretha Franklin’s Get It Right album and Luther Vandross’sLive At Radio City Music Hall 2003 20th Anniversary Edition album courtesy of SONY Music.
Get It Right is Aretha Franklin’s twenty-ninth studio album, released in 1983 by Arista Records. It was produced by Luther Vandross, following his successful teaming with the singer for the Gold-certified album, Jump to It. Album highlights include I Wish It Would Rain, I Got Your Love, and Every Girl Wants My Guy.
Etta James inspires this episode of Divabetic’s podcast.
After the six-time Grammy award winner conquered her drug addiction in 1988, she struggled with her weight. At the peak of her obesity, she reportedly weighed as much as 400 pounds. At just five foot three, this weight gain often left her bedbound, and when she did appear publicly, she was seen in a wheelchair. She was unable to perform during this period.
However, after successful gastric bypass surgery, she lost over 200 pounds and began to perform again.
She told Ebony Magazine in 2006 she could sing “lower, louder and longer” than before.
However, she still had enormous difficulty adjusting to her smaller stomach. “I had trouble keeping food down,” she said. Her mental health also suffered. “I went through a depression. You’re doing well, and then all of a sudden you’re not. I thought I was going to fail.”
Etta James’s openness about her frustrations in managing her weight after the surgery has helped other people cope with the same issues. It’s important to remember you’re not alone if you struggle with weight loss issues, depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem. You owe it to yourself to get comprehensive treatment for all your symptoms—including your mental health symptoms. Seek a referral to a mental health professional to get the treatment you need for any mental health issues you are dealing with.
As she entered her 70s, Etta James began struggling with health issues. She was hospitalized in 2010 for a blood infection and other ailments. It was later revealed that the legendary singer suffered from dementia and was receiving treatment for leukemia.
Podcast guests include Lorraine Brooks, Dr. Monique Renee Rolle, Catherine Schuller, Susan Greenberg Weiner, and Mama Rose Marie.
Throughout the podcast, we will spotlight Etta James’ iconic recordings from the All The Way and The Essential Etta James albums courtesy of SONY MUSIC.
Diabetes Late Nite podcast inspired by Etta James, is free on iTunes, BlogTalkRadio, and Spotify.
Nothing beats presenting diabetes outreach with DAZZLE at the Apollo Theater. One of my all-time favorite moments in Divabetic history was playing Serve, Taste, or Trash! Food Game at the Apollo Theater because it was an opportunity to combine honoring Luther’s musical legacy with diabetes wellness outreach.
The game’s initial goal was to allow confessed picky eaters to express dislike of certain fruits and vegetables and then challenge them to try them differently. The game was born out of my dislike of peas.
Experts agree that we shouldn’t overwhelm ourselves with a plate full of new foods. Instead, serve familiar favorites and one new food you’re ready to try. Commit to just a few bites. You’ll still have something to eat if you don’t like it.
However, Serve, Taste, or Trash‘s aim morphed into raising awareness for the amount of added sugars in popular food and drinks.
On this episode of Divabetic’s podcast, we’re talking about ADDED SUGARS with musical inspiration from Sade.
Added sugars contribute calories to your diet but no essential nutrients.
Many people consume more sugar than they realize. Knowing how much sugar you consume is essential because our bodies don’t need sugar to function properly.
How Much ADDED SUGAR Is Too Much?
The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugars to no more than 6 percent of calories each day. For most American women, that’s no more than 100 calories per day or about 6 teaspoons of sugar. It’s 150 calories per day for men, or about 9 teaspoons. The AHA recommendations focus on all added sugars without singling out any particular types, such as high-fructose corn syrup.
As in most of my Man-in-the-street videos, nothing was pre-planned at the Apollo Theater. My friend Arthur and I just showed up, found a spot, and started shooting.
When we went around the block to the stage door, the Apollo historian, Billy Mitchell, magically appeared. He was gracious enough to agree to be interviewed.
Billy and I discussed Luther Vandross’s history at the Apollo Theater. Luther was a member of Apollo’s musical ensemble called Listen to My Brother.
The ensemble was made up of 16 New York City kids. Peter Long put the group together from the Apollo, whose wife, Loretta Long, was a Sesame Street cast member.
The 16-member group performed at the Apollo Theater in the late 1960s, opening for many of the venue’s famous performers and making several musical contributions to Sesame Street. Luther sang lead vocals on “You Gotta Learn.”
Luther confessed during a Motown special taped at the Apollo that he’d blown Amateur Night four times.
Crazy as it sounds, we were filming using a small digital camera (not even an -iPhone!!!), so the fact that he stopped to talk with a guy in a fruit suit was amazing!
From 2003 – 2005, I was fortunate to participate in several Health Fairs in the lobby of the Apollo Theater. I met so many wonderful people living with, at risk, and affected by diabetes whose interest and support of my diva brand of diabetes outreach motivated me to keep on, keeping on.
It was days like this in the blazing Summer sun when haphazardly, we met terrific, colorful characters in the street who played along with the Divabetic health games that kept me going. These moments of sheer coincidence have helped me create new ways to inform people entertainingly.
On this episode of Divabetic’s podcast, we’re talking about ‘THE SWEETEST TABOO’ aka ‘ADDED SUGAR’ with musical inspiration from Sade.
Sugar is everywhere. But do we understand the impact it has on our diabetes health?
You may think of sweets, chocolate, sodas, table sugar, and perhaps fruit if asked to name sugary foods. But sugar also appears in savory foods such as ready meals, soups, salads, sauces, and ‘healthy’ foods such as breakfast cereals and yogurt. Furthermore, starches such as bread, pasta, rice, and potatoes also convert to sugar in our bloodstream, having the same impact on our bodies. These ‘hidden sugars’ can add a surprising amount to our daily intake.
Guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Tameka Milline, Catherine Schuller, Kathy Dolgin aka ‘High Voltage’, and Stephanie MacKendree. Throughout the podcast, we feature music from ‘The Essential Sade’ album courtesy of SONY Music.
Get drenched in a hefty dose of R&B and Soul with Crystal Penny as this musical duo has returned with another gem of a musical creation. Offering a punch of retro vibes and breezy tunes, their latest track ‘Standards’ is buzzing in the industry. This dynamic duo is best known for their exceptional vocal skills and sync between two which sounds a like single energetic entity. Let’s find out more about these talented music artists.
Crystal Penny is formed by Sisters Crystal Wilson Blackmon and Penni Wilson, the musical powerhouses who started music at an early age. They became seasoned music artists by their teenage and started performing as professionally as the Lovations. Their sheer individuality and the original essence of the soul could be noticed in their musical psyche. With the tunes and grooves of “I Keep Singing La, La, La, Oooh,” “I Want You,” “Later Baby,” and “Heaven Told Me So”; this duo came to Los Angeles to follow their dreams. After singing for legendary Motown Records, they have performed with numerous artists like Maurice White, Rick James, Diana Ross, Lou Rawls, Curtis Mayfield & the Impressions, and many others.
This dynamic duo has also appeared on OWN network’s reality TV show, “Flex & Shanice,” featuring Crystal’s daughter, Grammy-nominated recording artist Shanice Wilson, and her family. They have previously dropped a few songs like ‘My Vow to You’, and ‘My Heart Belongs to You’ that offer a redefined taste of soul music. Amid the global pandemic, with the help of fans from the UK; this musical duo started revolving at the center of attention with their timeless hit track “Keep Singing La La La Ooh.” It garnered over 350K views on YouTube and 150K Spotify streams.
Bringing back their original essence and the trademark soulful harmonies, the musical duo has come up with another new R&B and Soul track named ‘Standards’. Beautifully crafted and masterly produced by Ivan Hampden Jr., the track offers an amazing groove and an enticing musical experience. Not to mention, their eclectic vocals skills add more creative layers to the track. It is amazing to witness how two artists can be so much in control while complementing each other. This song is buzzing through all the major music platforms such as Spotify, SoundCloud, and Apple Music. Follow Crystal Penny on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get more updates on their upcoming musical projects.
Sisters Crystal Wilson Blackmon and Penni Wilson, are known as the singing-songwriting duo Crystal Penny. Their timeless R&B tune is brought to life by Crystal and Penni’s trademark vocal harmonies, an engaging melody, and lyrics praising the legendary soul music divas.
Standards’ catchy hook is a list of famous divas’ names, including Etta James, Sarah Vaughan, Gladys Knight, Dionne Warwick, Chaka Khan, Phyllis Hyman, and Patti LaBelle. These women taught higher standards of romance to generations of Quiet Storm listeners.
Many of these legendary ladies’ personal and professional journeys hit close to home to the Wilson sisters. “The women mentioned in the song are our icons,” says Crystal Blackmon Wilson. “We grew up listening to Sarah Vaughan and idolized Etta James and Dionne Warwick. These women inspired us to sing in the first place.”
Crystal and Penni understand how love songs affect the way we love, live, and interact with one another. “Our favorite vocalists express the grand illusion of what love should be and what we should feel,” Penni adds. “We hear it on the radio and strive to find it in our lives.”
Already embraced by UK audiences, Crystal Penny’s new single, Standards, is a follow-up to their original soul classic recordings (performed under the group name The Lovations) that have gone viral and will be available on all music app platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon.
Crystal Blackmon Wilson and Penni Wilson began their singing career known as The Lovations. They wrote and performed a string of original classical soul hits that recently went viral.
Their immortal hit, the Lovations‘ I Keep Singing (La La La Ooh), gains 1,000 new listens each month on Spotify. They don’t know who uploaded their songs to Spotify and YouTube, but they were shocked to see how many people enjoyed them. They hope a promoter will bring them to Europe to share the new and old material with fans.
Since then, they have shared the stage or recorded with such icons as Barry White, Maurice White, Rick James, Lou Rawls, Diana Ross, and Curtis Mayfield & the Impressions, among many others. Their sweet harmonies accompany the late maestro Barry White on his classic hit “Practice What You Preach.” The two also appeared on OWN network’s reality TV show, “Flex & Shanice,” starring Crystal’s daughter, Grammy-nominated recording artist Shanice Wilson, her husband, actor and comedian, Flex, and their children.
It is a thrill to find that our song, Crystal Penny’s new single, STANDARDS, jumped from #5 (last week) to #3 on the OfficialBCfm Soul Chart countdown this week.
STANDARDS is my tribute to the leading ladies of R&B and Soul Music whose timeless classics captured my heart’s ideals of love listening to the Quiet Storm. The song’s catchy chorus features the names of Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, Etta James, Sarah Vaughan, Nina Simone, and Dionne Warwick.
Sisters Crystal Wilson Blackmon and Penni Wilson collaborated with producer Ivan Hampden Jr. and lyricist Max Szadek to write STANDARDS. Crystal’s daughter, Shanice Wilson, lent her voice to the background vocals. The song is a timeless R&B tune brought to life by Penni and Crystal’s trademark vocal harmonies, an engaging melody, and lyrics praising the legendary soul music divas.
Thank you to DJ Tony Griffin and BCFM Radio for embracing Crystal Penny’s STANDARDSas much as I do. I am overjoyed! STANDARDSwill be available on all music streaming apps on Friday, April 21, 2023.
Crystal Penny’s new single is a follow-up to their original soul classic recordings (performed under the name The Lovations)that have gone viral and will be available on all music platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon.
The core sentiment of their single is a celebration of many of the greatest female vocalists of all time, who sang with their hearts on the Quiet Storm. Many of these icons’ personal and professional journeys hit close to home to the Wilson sisters. “The women mentioned in the song are legends to my sister and me,” says Penni Wilson. “We grew up listening to Sarah Vaughan and idolized Etta James and Dionne Warwick. They inspired us to sing in the first place.”
Sisters Crystal Wilson Blackmon and Penni Wilson understand that love songs affect the way we love, live, and interact with one another. “Our favorite vocalists express the grand illusion of what love should be and what we should feel,” Penni adds. “We hear it on the radio and strive to find it in our lives.”
Crystal Penny is the dynamic duo of singer-songwriter sisters Crystal and Penni Wilson, who have shared the stage or recorded with such icons as Barry White, Maurice White, Rick James, Lou Rawls, and Curtis Mayfield & the Impressions, among many others. Their sweet harmonies accompany the late maestro Barry White on his classic hit Practice What You Preach. The two also appeared on OWN network’s reality TV show, Flex & Shanice, starring Crystal’s daughter, Grammy-nominated recording artist Shanice Wilson (best known for her megahit I Love Your Smile, her husband, actor and comedian, Flex, and their children.
Growing up in a family of gifted singers, the Wilson sisters started singing at a young age. With music in their souls, they continue to thrive after five decades of brilliant song.
The song I co-wrote, Crystal Penny’s new single, STANDARDS, jumps from #15 (last week) to #5 on the OfficialBCfm Soul Chart countdown this week.
STANDARDS is my tribute to the leading ladies of R&B and Soul Music whose timeless classics captured my heart’s ideals of love listening to the Quiet Storm.
My former boss, Luther Vandross also, was a fan of many of the divas whose names are mentioned in the chorus of my song. Luther founded and was the president of the first Patti LaBelle fan club at his high school!
Coincidentally, Patti LaBelle, who is living with type 2 diabetes, inspired me to create national diabetes nonprofit, Divabetic, in 2005. Divabetic, a combination of the word “diabetic” with the letter “V” inserted for Vandross, evokes feelings of power and a positive attitude associated with the great divas Luther loved, like Patti LaBelle.
I like to tell his fans that Luther had over fifty people support him with his music, but when it came to managing his type 2 diabetes. Stroke is related to the mismanagement to type 2 diabetes. The connection between diabetes and stroke involves how the body handles blood glucose to make energy. People with untreated or mismanaged diabetes accumulate too much glucose in their blood, and their cells don’t receive enough energy. Over time, excessive blood glucose can increase fatty deposits or blood vessel clots. These clots can narrow or block blood vessels in the brain or neck, cutting off the blood supply, stopping oxygen from getting to the brain, and causing a stroke.
Thank you to DJ Tony Griffin and BCFM Radio for playing Crystal Penny’s STANDARDSas much as I do. I am overjoyed! STANDARDSwill be available on all music streaming apps on Friday, April 21, 2023.
Life’s joys and chart positions go by so fast; I want to hold on a bit longer before they pass.
The song I co-wrote, “STANDARDS” appearing on the OfficialBCfm Soul Chart, is my tribute to the leading ladies of R&B and their timeless classics that shaped my young heart’s ideals of love.
I grew up listening to their standards on Quiet Storm on WDKX in Rochester, NY, and have been a fan ever since.
There will also never be any doubt about the monumental role Luther Vandrossand his music played in my life. His genius as a songwriter, producer, and artist for conveying all the emotional yearnings of romance are the rhythms to which all lovers dance.
“Luther Vandross was the most polite Soul singer to have ever lived. His music was less a quiet storm and more a beautiful sunshower,” writes Matty Wishnow for Past Prime.
Luther also adored our favorite ‘divas,’ so our song celebrates him too.
Thank you to DJ Tony Griffin and BCFM Radio for enjoying Crystal Penny’ “STANDARDS” as much as I do. I am overjoyed! STANDARDS will be available on all music streaming apps in late April. Stay tuned!
There’s nothing more thrilling than hearing your music on the radio!
Yesterday, my new song, STANDARDS, by the dynamic duo CRYSTAL PENNY (sisters Crystal Wilson Blackmon and Penni Wilson), produced by Ivan Hampden Jr., was featured on Richard Marzetti’s Soul Life program on Solar Radio Radio, the UK’s #1 music station bringing you soul, jazz, funk, soulful house, R&B, disco and more.
CRYSTAL PENNY began their career known as The Lovations with a string of original classical soul hits that recently went viral. Since then, they have shared the stage or recorded with such icons as Barry White, Maurice White, Rick James, Lou Rawls, Diana Ross, and Curtis Mayfield & the Impressions, among many others. Their sweet harmonies accompany the late maestro Barry White on his classic hit Practice What You Preach.
The two also appeared on OWN network’s reality TV show, Flex & Shanice, starring Crystal’s daughter, Grammy-nominated recording artist Shanice Wilson (best known for her megahit, I Like Your Smile), her husband, actor and comedian, Flex, and their children.
Growing up in a family of gifted singers, the sisters started harmonizing at a young age. With music in their souls, they continue to thrive after five decades of brilliant song.
STANDARDS is a timeless R&B tune brought to life by CRYSTAL PENNY‘s trademark vocal harmonies, engaging melody, and lyrics praising the legendary soul music divas. Already embraced by UK audiences, CRYSTAL PENNY’s new single is a follow-up to their original soul classic recordings (performed under the name The Lovations) that have gone viral.
A 90s dating experience from my years living in San Francisco inspired the song’s lyrics when I discovered how the sentiments expressed in our favorite songs shape our thoughts and expectations about love.
I’ll have much more to share about the song and the talented collaborators I worked with when STANDARDS is released in mid-April on all music platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon.
You can hear STANDARDS on Soul Life (1:16 mark). Click on the LINK to LISTEN NOW
