The single "Fresh Out" with its music video showing families getting together at cook-outs and BBQs, also coincides with the upcoming July 4th holiday when me and my (west coast) family will be getting together to celebrate "America," and the celebration of America's 250.

I told Brandon that I just recently learned what Juneteenth was all about because my daughter is into the history of African-Americans pre-Civil War and she took the week off to celebrate. So, its recognition is to highlight the "actual" end of slavery in America (when a high-ranking military official openly declared all slaves are free in Texas), two years after Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. I can see Juneteenth as a deep and hard pill to swallow for some.

"That's what I do. I'm the greatest educator...I'm the Griot," he emphasized happily.

"That's how my students learn (music)," Griot B said when recalling how he went from history teacher to rapper. "It started with a student's challenge for me to make a song and I did. It was enjoyable to me. To reach them in a way that they understood...and I kept at it and got better."

After eight albums, one Black History Month album, one Latin History Month album, four major concerts, 2,000 school performances nationwide, and eight California tours Brandon's style of teaching is known in schools across the country. You know the name but may not have connected it to Brandon Brown aka Griot B. It's called the "School Yard Rap." It's as popular in our culture today as old main stream's "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" back in the day or the "Reading Rainbow" that just ended 20 years-ago. Only the music in School Yard Rao is Hip-Hop, and the kids are of all ages. Brown's School Yard Rap program is in 228 schools in 24 states and used by 50 colleges across the country. It combines Hip-Hop music and education by using live performances.

"It's been a massive success," he agreed, when I mentioned how well-known School Yard Rap is in academia. "I'm taking a step forward...with the EP ‘Good Trouble'. It's important...that people talk about how African-American's got the right to vote. I'm not political, they made it political. It's so kids and adults can learn."

Griot, aside from being an educator (Inglewood, California) and a BMI rapper, he is an entrepreneur and as I stated, the founder of the School Yard Rap movement. He released the "Fresh Out" single featuring Haillie in celebration of Juneteenth and Black Music Month, but the timing cannot be ignored that it is also around the time of the celebration of America and its 250 years. A reminder that our right to vote, women included, was granted to us not that long ago.

Griot B performed last month at the NPR 2026 Tiny Desk "On the Road Tour" when it stopped in San Fransico and he hosted the Juneteenth/Community Care event in Culver City at the Robert Froster Auditorium. The event provided free health screening and family support services. He helped give away 1,000 bags of groceries and diapers.

For these ventures Brandon Brown formed strategic partnerships, such as those with the enterprises as Warner Media and Essence. His educational entertainment company has generated over $5 million in revenue through live programs, educational programs, and curriculum designing.

So, listen out for rap artist Griot B (Brandon Brown) and his new single "Fresh Out" and his EP "Good Trouble," which explores voters' rights, and know that he was a legend before he was a rapper.  www.SchoolYardRap.com www.GriotB.com

Twelve of the 17 original members of The Family, after a long hiatus from the music business as a group, decided to bless the world again with their Gospel ministry. They then signed a record deal with Blacksmoke Music Worldwide. The recently released single from the record label is titled "Believe," which is accompanied by a music video. The single is from their Blacksmoke Music Worldwide debut seven track album "Together Forever" that features Earnest Pugh and Ernest J. Lee. 

"I just knew God was not finished with The Family," said Kisha Grandy-Lee about why they decided to get back together and released more music. "...And God was involved in every step."

Of the 17 original members of Kirk Franklin and The Family, the ones who stayed with The Family include Kisha Grandy-Lee, Dalon Collins, Carrie (Young-Davis) Collins, (Pastor) Darrell Blair, Teresa (Young) Rucker, Yolanda McDonalds, Ramona Barlow-White, Sheila Brice, Jeannette Johnson, Cassandra Cleveland-Robertson, and Nelda Washington. Joining them is Stepahanie Glynn and Demetrice Clinkscale. The original The Family members who left include David and Tamela Mann, (Elder) Jonathan Drummond, Demetrius Hereford, Duawne Starling, Tommy Colter, and Terri Pace. Some of the current members of The Family who also have solo careers include Kisha, Dalon and Demetrice who released a couple of solo projects. Teresa is into politics.

During their time with Kirk Franklin, The Family garnered Top 50 hits that include "Why We Sing," "Silver and Gold," "Now Behold the Lamb," "Melodies from Heaven," "Conquerors" and "Whatcha Look-in' 4." From the new Blacksmoke Music album The Family has also released "Jesus, (I Love You Lord Today)."

"He (Kirk) knew how to bring the sound," Pastor Darryl added when I asked about the trademark sound of The Family while working with Kirk. I said their sound is distinctive like the Sounds of Blackness. "It was intentional. He had worked with other groups and put all their sounds together. It was 17 of us, it is 12 of us now."

The Family is preparing for the October 3, 2026, released of "Together Forever" which celebrates 30 years that they have been together. They were honored with the Avidity Lifetime Achievement Award and will be presented with the award and perform from their new album. The Family will also perform at the 40th Stellar Awards Pre-Show in August.

The "Believe" single is produced and written by Ernest J. Lee (Kerry Douglas, Kisha Grandy). It is sold on most streaming and online platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer. Other tracks on The Family's "Together Forever" album include "Expectancy" that features labelmate Earnest Pugh, "Throwback Medley," "The Reset" featuring Ernest J. Lee, "Victory is Mine" and "Yeah Yeah."

"It's a song my husband had created," Kisha said about the single "Believe." "At the time I was engaged to a producer, and we were riding in the car. I was working on my own project and asked him if he'd do a single with The Family. He said, ‘I have a song.' I said this is The Family. He said, ‘Just let The Family hear it.' So, I called and texted everyone."

Kisha said when The Family did listen to the single "Believe" they all felt the concept was the essence of who The Family is musically.

"...He said, ‘Let's do it,'" Grandy-Lee said about what her husband said in response to The Family liking the song.

At the end of the interview, I asked The Family what's in their future and Pastor Darryl spoke up and said, "Wherever God wants to take us. We do whatever He assigns us to do in this season."

Dalon added, "We want to continue to do God's will. We already done a lot of stuff....We want to stay focused. We're trying to get to the Kingdom and win souls....get people enthusiastic about Christ and their calling - it's that simple."  www.BlackSmokeMusic.com

SYNDICATED COLUMNIST: Dr. Eunice Moseley has an estimated weekly readership of over one million for her column The Pulse of Entertainment. She is the publisher of the digital magazine www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com, which has an estimated 160,000 visitors a month. An entrepreneur, Dr. Moseley’s company, Freelance Associates, is a business management/public relations strategic planning and consulting firm that is celebrating 32 years in 2025. Dr. Eunice also serves as professor for the School of Business at Stanton University in Anaheim, California and serves as promotions director (at-large)/journalist and business consultant for The Baltimore Times. Dr. Moseley founded the Uplifting Minds II Foundation (www.UpliftingMinds.com) in 2023, a 501 C3 with a mission to empower the underserved through three major programs – One Stop Business Shop, the ULMII Professional Conference and the ULMII Academy (business management and public relations). EVENTS: "Uplifting Minds II" Entertainment Conference (ULMII), was launched by Dr. Eunice in 1999, to educate aspiring artists/musicians about the business of entertainment – www.UpliftingMinds2.com. Next ULMII Entertainment Conferences for Baltimore on Saturday April 18, 2026, presented by Security Square Mall and The Baltimore Times, and for Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2026, presented by The Pulse of Entertainment and the ULMII Foundation. The ULMII conferences are free with virtual access via Zoom. ULMII entertainment conference offers a Professional Panel Q&A Session, a Professional Talent Showcase and International Talent Competition where the top three scored acts receive the ULMII Best Act Award and over $20,000 valued in prizes/product/services and cash!