#18 Divas

This black girl likes a diva - a TRUE diva - not some Disney pop artist enlisted by VH1 to raise ratings for their dying show, DIVAS.

I knew that show was in jeopardy when circa 1999 they had the audacity to place Brandy (no shade but no diva) on the same stage with Whitney, Chaka, and Tina Turner.

"Baby bye!" in Diva speak.

So what is a diva, you may ask?

A diva is a woman with a big ego ( a real big ego) - as big as her talent. Why? Because she can back it up. A diva is Patti LaBelle, vintage Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Mariah Carey (arguably). Some young divas include (my fav) Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia, not and I repeat NOT Miley Cyrus.

Aye, VH1.

I remember seeing Patti LaBelle perform at the Apollo (on TV, not live). She hit this note so bright and clear. She pulled the mike down and you could still hear the note echoing across the auditorium.

P-O-W-E-R-H-O-U-S-E!