By Antracia Moorings

Soul Train’s Best: Time Life commemorates the 40th anniversary of Soul Train with “The Best of Soul Train” 3-DVD boxed set hitting retail August 31 for the very first time in celebration of the culturally significant American institution that became a national launch pad for showcasing the latest names in Soul music, outrageous fashion and hip dances – making Soul music a mainstream global genre. “The Best of Soul Train” presents an amazing and rare collection of performances from the Soul Train archives, many of which haven’t been seen in over 30 years, including exclusive performances from Soul Train’s most acclaimed era (1971–1979) by The Jackson Five, Marvin Gaye, The O’Jays, Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Sly & The Family Stone and more.

By Antracia Moorings

Common Law?: Despite their marriage being legally over at the time of Gary Coleman’s death in May, Shannon Price is insisting that she was his common-law wife. Price’s Provo-based attorney, Todd Bradford, has filed a petition in a Utah court seeking to have their twisted union declared a common-law marriage, which indeed would pave the way for his client to take control of Coleman’s assets. Utah’s common-law marriage statute requires that “both parties are of legal marriage age and are able to give consent. . .Both parties are capable of being married...The parties live(d) together as man and wife...The parties assume(d) marital responsibilities and duties...[and] The parties ‘held themselves out’ as husband and wife, and others perceive(d) them to be married.”

By Antracia Moorings

Higher Learning: Singer Mary J. Blige recently announced on ‘Good Morning America’' that she will be heading off to Howard University and plans to get her bachelor's in 2014. The 39-year-old, who dropped out of school in the 11th grade, has had her fair share of drama, from being molested as a child to battling drugs and being physically abused by a former lover. All of these situations derailed any plans for furthering her education. The nine-time Grammy Award winner has refused to let life’s knocks lay her out flat, though, and has continued to be an inspiration to listeners. Blige has not released any information on what her area of concentration will be at Howard, but rest assured, when the diva puts her mind to something, she follows through all the way.