Usher Raymond visited Washington, DC last week to testify before the Committee on Education and Labor. The committee was conducting a hearing to examine how to renew America through national service and volunteerism and Usher spoke about his New Look Foundation and how he could help engage youth to become more active in their communities.

Great job Usher! Do we see politics in your future?

I’m still cracking up at Usher in that beanie! Check out this old video of Monica showing up Brandy on stage in an old performance of “The Boy is Mine.” Monica was killin the style game even back then! No wonder Brandy’s still so salty.

In case you missed it:

Quick Flix/Video ~ Brandy & Monica Reunite Onstage
Flix/Video ~ Monica’s Mary J. Blige Tribute ~ BET Honors 2009

Dungeon Family is on constant rotation on the “A” Pod….act like you know!

Dirty South ~ Goodie Mob

WeEastPointin’ ~ Cool Breeze

4 in the Temple ~ Witchdoctor ft. Big Gipp, T-Mo & Phoenix

Who Is Ms. Auburn (Ms. “A” fa’ shawt)? I’m a former employee of the Auburn Avenue Research Library (hence the tag) who believes in the power of words – written and spoken. I believe in lifelong teaching and learning, no degree required. A Real Wife of a Native Atlantan who was once a child of the SWATS myself (that whole left side of I-285 really ~ check my old school swag above). I have a slight issue with the passive way my generation is shepherding its legacy. With this column and your help, I hope to change that.

There used to be a practice among African-Americans known as “sittin at the knee.” The kids watched and listened while the adults taught them appropriate customs and practices and passed down the history, griot style. Ghetto Ya Ya Sisterhoods is how girls like I was once learned to sew and cook. But in a different age and time, I learned how to weave together a decent life and feed my family’s collective spirit by sitting at my mother-in-law’s table, all while bumpin’ Soul Food from the speakers. Sunday mornin’ where you eat-in’ at?

It was funny to me when she talked about walking down Hunter or Bishop Streets as a child, streets I now know as MLKing and 17th, respectively. She’d mention the parents of friends of mine and I could

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In the O.S.A.M. corner this week is Chris ‘Mac Daddy’ Kelly from Kris Kross. He’s reminiscing about the Gentleman’s Club before it shut down and growing up on the southside. How bout I found out we both went to to same middle school (Bunche), although he was there quite a few years after me…

Continuing with our old school jam session this week, let’s take a stroll down memory lane and listen to a song below that clearly shows where Bow Wow stole his swag:

“Young, Rich, Dangerous” ~ Kris Kross ft. DaBrat & Big Rube

**O.S.A.M. is a weekly feature on StraightFromTheA.com.  We will be turning back the clock each Friday to reminisce about Old School ATL. Hit me up at StraightFromTheA@gmail.com to share your favorite Old School Atlanta Memory. **

In case you missed it:

O.S.A.M. ~ Big Boi Reminisces About Charles Disco (Video) + SpottieOttieDopalicious
O.S.A.M. = Old School Atlanta Memories

V-103’s Ryan Cameron poses with Fonzworth Bentley & Keith Sweat during his Ol Skool Step Show. FreddyO sent over a few pics and I guess I’ll have to use em since today just happens to be Flashback Friday….plus I’d never deny you the pleasure of seeing Nokio from Dru Hill’s fresh new doo.

Check out the flix below:

Freddy said the Delta’s won, but I don’t see how since one of em’s sporting an oxygen tank.  Somebody send me the video…STAT!

Ooooh weeee! Nokio you betta work!!!

Fonzworth Bentley & Pastor Troy shake hands and share memories..

I loves me a man who barks…

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Happy Flashback Friday people! DJ Nabs toured the world for years with Kris Kross and has several old school videos over on his YouTube channel.  Check out Kris Kross, Jermaine Dupri and DJ Nabs appearing on the Arsenio Hall Show…Chris “Mac Daddy” Kelly still had all his hair and Jermaine did too.

Also here’s the link to the actual interview where someone’s BEEPER when off onstage during the show and Arsenio calls em out. Hell naw! What year was this? Dayum I feel old.

In case you missed it:

Rumor Control ~ Legendary Atlanta Rapper Disputes Internet Tales + Introduces His New R&B Chick