MOMENTS OF SILENCE...

Comedian Bernie Mac and Soul pioneer Isaac Hayes were both taken from us too soon.

One of the 'Kings of Comedy' Mac, 50 years old, of 'Oceans 11' (and sequels) fame had been hospitalized 3 weeks ago when pneumonia struck the brilliant sitcom star and stand-up comedian. Rumors of his death ran rampant on the internet, but were proven to be false until Saturday when the actors wife said one final "don't you leave me" before he took his last breath. He had been diagnosed with a rare lung disease called sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease, but his publicist said the pneumonia was not related to that disease.

Mac, a Chi-town native, had recently made headlines for a making a joke about 'Hoes' while attending a fund raiser event for Barrack Obama mid July. The joke received heckles and boos after which Mac was reprimanded by Obama himself, but many crybabies and republican fodder still feel the "Bernie, you gotta clean up your act..I'm just messin' with you" (which is a mock of the comedian) wasn't enough and feel that Obama should have fried him right on stage. Didn't happen. Get over it.

Fellow actor and Ocean's 11 co-star George Clooney said "The world just got a lot less funny". Rest in peace and with a smile, Bernie. We love you.

The Black community (and the world) had just barely come to terms with one death barely 24 hours prior when on Sunday morning soul pioneer and the Black worlds 'Black Moses', Isaac Hayes passed. His wife Adjowa and the couple's two-year-old son returned to their home shortly after noon yesterday and found Isaac unconscious on the floor next to his treadmill where he had been exercising. While it has no been verified, Hayes is believed to have had a heart attack and simultaneous stroke. This may be the second stroke for Hayes who survived his first one in 2006 due to Hypertension, a plague in the Black community world wide. Hayes made a full recovery, but was said to be suffering from various ailments over the years.

Hayes, who was 65, is the composer for the SHAFT soundtrack and revolutionary artist on the now defunct soul music powerhouse STAX RECORDS in the 70's before the labels bankruptcy and Hayes lawsuit with the company. He is known for his earth trembling bass and melody of his voice and his trademark 'Baldie' with the mysterious black shades. In 1992, in recognition of his humanitarian work, he was crowned an honorary king of Ghana's Ada district. From 1997 to 2006, he provided the voice for the singing mentor character of "Chef" on the Comedy Central animated TV series South Park until obligation and insult of his Scientology "religion" caused him to bow out after the notorious 'In the Closet' episode.

Isaac is survived by his wife and 12 children from various marriages. There will never be a presence like his in a time when Black people, fresh out of the Civil Rights War (because thats what it was) of the 60's and government funded infestation of heroine in the party time 70's. Isaac went against the grain of afros and fear of no hair era of the 70's with his baldie and shades adding more variety to the already fashionable Black existence. Isaac, along with another late 'Black love' pioneer Barry White are the reason many of Gen-X kid owes their being conceived to the two for their love-making inspiring ballads and serenades. Actor. Song Writer. Composer. Pioneer. Genius. Godly.

Ironically, both stars are set to star in 'SOUL MEN' starring Mac and Sammy Jackson with various cameos with Hayes. the film is set for release during the holiday season this year.

"Amerika...Can you dig it?"