SMOKEY, DYLAN, LEGEND PAY TRIBUTE TO THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT

In honor of Black History Month (February), The White House is hosting "A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement" on February 11 at 8 pm ET. President Barack Obama and The First Lady will be there and performers include Smokey Robinson, Bob Dylan, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, John Mellencamp, The Blind Boys Of Alabama, and more, with Morgan Freeman and Queen Latifah hosting (c'mon, Queen, you're not gonna do "U.N.I.T.Y."?).

TOMORROW ON OUTQ: DIVAS

For those of you who are new to No Expiration, every Wednesday morning at 9 am ET I go on the SIRIUSXM channel OutQ. I am a weekly contributor to The Morning Jolt with Larry Flick. Divas -- talented female singers and artists -- always go over well on the show, and tomorrow we are going to be talking about some really cool ones.

My favorite of the bunch is Alicia Keys. I am a big fan, she is one of my "Artists of the '00s." But last time I brought her up on the show it was for her duet with Jack White for their duet of the James Bond theme "Another Way To Die." Larry and Keith let me have it, they weren't feeling it. I am unrepentant. I love the song. Her new album, The Element Of Freedom, is great. It's really heart-felt... or maybe heart-broken is a better way to put it. Without going too into her personal life, she's very private, something hasn't gone right with a guy. Hopefully she's feeling better these days, but damn, it led to some great songs and some great performances.

Mary J. Blige: she's just one of the best singers around, I think. I wouldn't mess with her, though. 'Nuff said. I recently filmed a performance by her at SIRIUS XM for an episode of Artist Confidential, and it was incredible. I hope to post some video soon. This woman feels her music and isn't able to keep her cool sometimes. Whatever else that may cause, it does result in some great music. I dig her new single "I Am," and also her song from the film Precious, "Color."

I have always liked Shakira. I don't always like her music, but I like her. A few years ago when I worked at VH1, her label flew me down to her place in the Bahamas for a day to interview her about her live DVD. I watched the DVD and was pretty impressed, and when I interviewed her, she was great. I've had some pretty annoying experiences with pop stars, but she was great. She had great taste in music, cares about the world, and wants to use her position for good. I've liked a lot of her singles, and the new one, "She Wolf," is fun.

Queen Latifah, like Will Smith, is now more of a movie star than musician. It is hard for her to get people to pay attention to her music these days. I filmed an Artist Confidential with her recently, and she tore it up. Don't believe it? Watch this video:

STEVIE WONDER, ALICIA KEYS AND MORE TO CELEBRATE NELSON MANDELA

If there's someone who deserves a concert to celebrate his birthday, it's Nelson Mandela. And producer/Eurythmic Dave Stewart is putting together a big show at Madison Square Garden to celebrate the man's 91st birthday July 18. So far, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Aretha Franklin, Wyclef Jean, Queen Latifah, TLC (now a duo?), Cyndi Lauper, Angelique Kidjo, Baaba Maal, Josh Groban and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy are signed on to perform. Should be a great show - I may have to check that one out. Might I suggest the reunited Specials?