I wrote this blog a week ago on another page, but since I know I want to write about this show every week on this page I decided to repost it here just in case folks have not seen the show yet.

Alas, TV has finally inspired me to write again.  Anyone who checks out our page from time to time knows that I have had the same song, Welcome to MySpace by B.R.U.T.H.A., as the profile song for several months and I don't have any plans to change it in the near future.  It's so appropriate for the page. 

I was introduced to B.R.U.T.H.A. about 8 months ago when my favorite blog, Sandra Rose posted a story on a reality show that was supposedly only going to come on Peachtree TV in Atlanta.  She posted some of the tracks from the group Brutha that the show is based on and I loved the Jermaine Dupri produced music.  I went out on the internet to search for a page for the group and the only thing that came up was the B.R.U.T.H.A. who sings our profile song.  I found it pretty amazing that there were two phenomenal brother groups out of Atlanta with such similar names.  I now know that Brutha is based out of LA.

Without any warning a Brutha special came .. the season premiere of Keyshia Cole's reality show on BET.  I was really excited to finally get to see them after all those months.  I admit I had an almost voyeuristic attraction to the show because Jay-Z predecessor, the late Def Jam executive vice president Shakir Stewart, played a prominent part in the show.  I found myself searching for warning signs that he was on the brink of suicide and didn't really focus on the Harrell brothers.  If the show got any marketing I didn't see it.  I don't even remember seeing BET advertising the series during the special and in fact I sent an email to Sandra Rose asking her if she knew if the show was going to be a series.

I like Keyshia's show, but I tend to miss it because I can't remember when it comes on.  Having this page has helped motivate me to organize my TV viewing.  If I see a preview for a show I like I put a recurring appointment in my Outlook calendar so I can get a reminder to watch it and that is what I have done with Keyshia's show.  Last night during her show I finally saw a preview for Brothers to Brutha which will in fact be a series and premiered last night.

I have to apologize to Sandra.  I got on her her for ripping Day 26, as she always does, calling them a fake, manufactured group.  She says Brutha is an example of a real group.  After watching the show, I must say she was right, but if I recall correctly I did acknowledge that there is a differant dynamic when a group is a family that has been performing together their whole lives.  Under the lifelong tutelage of a Joe Jackson style father, the boys have definately mastered their instruments.  But later for all that.  The show was OFF THE CHAIN.

Shakir was still there, but the boys took over.  I don't know who produces this show, but they have decided to be extremely raw and real with it and I love it.  They dealt with all kinds of issues head on.  Anthony has a drinking problem that they put front and center.  When he drinks he teases Grady about his manhood to which Grady responds violently every single time.  I can totally relate.  I too come from a family where the men have resorted to violence against one another during conflicts.  I mean these guys were throwing down.  Of course Grady's reaction and overall demeanor might lead one to believe that maybe he is gay, which makes it that much more crazy that drunken Anthony would tease him about it on TV.

When the family tries to talk to Anthony about the excessive drinking he calls out a woman who is either an aunt or one of the mothers on her daily weed smoking.  It's real like that.  The boys all have the same father, but there are two mothers among them and probably more as there are 13 siblings in all.  The combined family seems to be very close and the father is involved in all of their lives.  They have not mentioned that he is deceased, but he has not been on the show so far.  I really want to see him.

If you like that raw uncut television you have to check out this show.  It's not for the faint of heart.  Previews from next week shows that more fighting is in store and after watching one show I'm thinking that Anthony will be the troublesome Bobby Brown of the group and they are going to have long term problems with him if he doesn't get that drinking in check.  I pray I'm wrong, because I really like him and I want to see these guys make it.  BET got it right with Keyshia Cole and Brutha so I had to spread the word.  I'll definately be blogging on Brothers to Brutha weekly on my personal page.  This page can't be about them.  So check out the show on BET Wednesdays at 10:30 eastern.

Update:  I forgot to mention that while the vocal ability of Day 26 and Brutha is undeniable, I have not fallen in love with their music.  I like it, but I don't love it.  On the other hand, I am madly and deeply in love with the music of B.R.U.T.H.A. How fortunate to accidently discover them by way of the entertaining, talented, adorable and really real Brutha.  And most important of all I am so sorry that Shake decided to leave a mere week and a half before he got a chance to see the show and witness whether or not it and the boys album would be successful.  R.I.P. bruh.

Shakir "Shake" Stewart 1974 - 2008

Check out the Harrell brothers covering Jodeci's Love U 4 Life.