She's Badd

This song raises some good questions that one should ask themselves.



Lyrics, just in case you didn't hear her.
COLD WAR- Janelle Monáe

So you think I'm alone?
But being alone's the only way to be
When you step outside
You spend life fighting for your sanity

This is a cold war
You better know what you're fighting for
This is a cold war
Do you know what you're fighting for?

If you want to be free
Feel the ground is the only place to be
'Cause in this life
You spend time running from depravity

This is a cold war
Do you know what you're fighting for?
This is a cold war
You better know what you're fighting for
This is a cold war
You better know what you're fighting for
This is a cold war
Do you know what you're fighting for?

Bring wings to the weak and bring grace to the strong
May all evil stumble as it flies in the world
All the tribes comes and the mighty will crumble
We must brave this night and have faith in love

I'm trying to find my peace
I was made to believe there's something wrong with me
And it hurts my heart
Lord have mercy, ain't it plain to see?

That this is a cold war
Do you know what you're fighting for
This is a cold war
You better know what you're fighting for

This is a cold....
This is a cold war
You better know what you're fighting for

KELLINDOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Do you know? Is a cold...
Do you?
Do you?

Is a cold ...
You better know what you're fighting for

Bye, bye, bye, bye
Don't you cry when I say goodbye

Season of Redemption

It’s the season of redemption and comebacks.

I’m not sure what it is about the ending of 2010, but it’s making people come to some awakening realizations. Ever since the moment we realized it wasn’t gonna be a hot summer, we saw that the hastened season was going to bring the warmth in other ways. I’m talking about the major changes with the most popular names out there.

It all started with Chris Brown’s MJ-epiphany that we all witnessed him experience on the stage of the BET Awards—since then the audience has made an uprise in their forgiveness. Chris has been able to make a hit single, with a hot video (or 2), and co-star in late summer blockbuster. Now on that same single he’s got every big name under the sun to be featured on the remix, I’m referring to "Deuces Remix". For him to enlist the likes of Kanye, Ricky Rozay, T.I., Fab, and theee Andre 3 stacks tells us that even they have even put their disagreements aside. Nobody’s hanging on Rihanna’s every word anymore, which is probably the reason why she’s trying to remain noticeable with fire engine-red hair and boyfriend that resembles a future Chris in about 6 years (sorry Matt Kemp, just keepin it real).

Then we’ve got my most mind-boggled redemption in ‘Ye’s return on a flame-blazed trail of “humbility” and arrogance. How can somebody do the two opposites at the same time you ask? Well only Kanye can work the combination as if it should always be that way. With him droppin weekly un-released tracks with an incredible bill of other real rap stars, and a highly anticipated album drop in the making; people have decided to recognize his fallibility. Though people were still unnecessarily talking about the Swift-VMA incident (including Swift herself), he has managed to persuade people into believing that his presence is needed to sustain the progression of hip-hop’s future, which therefore warrants an excuse of his earlier disproved behavior.

Lupe Fiasco has been in an on-going battle with his record label that has been successfully postponing his album release of “Lasers” for like…a year! But I must give all the kudos I can to my man, Lu, for staying head strong and in the fight because we’re finally going to reap the rewards of a victory. There is a definite date in the works of when the album will be dropped and I don’t know about any other person, but this is has been long awaited for long enough. Though true fans are patient. Nas has been dealing with the same issues and if there is chain reaction going on out there, we shall witness great prosperity for him as well. And I can only assume that whatever KiD CuDi has in the factory will be well worth the wait too.

Then we have two hall-of-famers that showed us that being relevant has nothing to do with fame. You can come head to head with your own demons and prove that making it to the other side undefeated is worth recognition—not relevance. Both Eminem and Big Boi have mastered the ability of taking breaks and coming back in the picture more vibrant than when they originally started. Even Lauryn Hill was bit by this same bug of redemption and is paving a new road for us to follow her on.

What a way to go into 2011.

Supposedly the Best Night for Music Videos

Last night MTV’s Video Music Awards aired live from the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. Of course anybody who is or isn’t somebody eventually showed up or left immediately after making their presence known. The entire premise for this award show is to pay recognition to a collected group of artists that outshined their competition with outstanding work. Well they coulda fooled me, considering the only people rewarded were Lady Gaga and Eminem excusing the categories they weren’t nominated for—that one went to soon-to-be-not-so-little Justin Beiber.

Nonetheless the show was quite the spectacle with Chelsea Handler hosting, who announced that she was the first female to do the job in the last decade (c’mon MTV, I thought you guys were with the movement of social progression…oh wait I forget they created Jersey Shore).

Everybody and they mama had something to say about the incident from last year with Kanye’s mishap. But honestly let us please re-evaluate. That little girl’s career would have been 4 times less the worth that it is now had he not made an embarrassment out of her. For all we know that whole “scandal” could’ve been set up just to boost her twitter-topic ranking. So imagine to my despair when Taylor Swift performed her never been released new song, which was very much a finger point to a certain muse, it upset me quite a bit. It’s no secret I’m a fan of Kanye West, scary tantrums and all. I just wish that people [namely Swift] would just let it go for goodness sakes. Either forgive the man or thank him, ‘cuz your relevance is owed to him, and twice in a row now.

As for the performances they seemed pretty entertaining. Let’s see we had:
• Eminem opened up the show with a tantalizing, very 8 Mile-ish duo of songs. Also with a surprise guest of Rihanna in a red wig and tutu.
• Kim Kardashian did a small comedic skit to open up Beiber’s performance in which he did outside the Theater for all those fanatic “beibettes”. I have to say—the kids’ got spunk. He might just make it out there.
• Usher did his usual pelvic grind and quick footwork on stage with futuristic lighting that I’m sure Will.I.Am suggested.
• Taylor Smith. What-the-hell-ever
• Drake, who sadly is still suffering from his long time illness of lacking a stage presence, did “Fancy” with Swizz Beatz and Mary J. Blige in this Copa Cabana set up.
• Linkin Park literally rocked the house. Always liked them…welcome back.
• B.o.B with Bruno Mars and Hayley Williams, which then turned to a Paramore ensemble went very nicely.
• Finally and of course to finish the show, because there is honestly no other time slot big enough to fit all of his ego, Kanye closed it down. He also did an unreleased new song called “Runaway” which openly quotes that he wants to give a toast to the assholes that he knows. So with that being said, it’s time to prepare for Good Ass Job which I can only pray is gonna knock the socks off of hip-hop.

And there you have it. 2010 VMA’s

"Get Going"

We all gotta get to where we’re going
But it’s hard to get
If it's in the unknowing
I wish for love
I wish for peace
I look for happiness within me
And then I realize
And I see
It’s a blessing to be this free, cuz
Some pray for guidance
Some pray for needs
I know some who pray just for keeps
So when they finally get what they seek
All those prayers,
They seem to cease
We all gotta get to where we’re going
But it’s still hard to get
If its still in the unknowing
I loved once
And there it stops
Mainly 'cuz it hurt a lot
I was young, and my heart was old
So as I aged
So did my soul
Now everything: it’s a test
You win the game
You get the prize in my chest
And many will play
While he remains
Til the day, he’s just one in the same
We all gotta get to where we’re going
But it’s hard to get
When we move this slowly
I got these friends
And they’re here for life
They’re good for me
So I know this is right
All the time I try to fight
But what’s the point
If the bonds are this tight
They get me quick
They got me now
It’ll be a cold day
Before I let them down
And despite it all
When they’re around
I guarantee, my choice is sound
We all tryin to get where we going
But if you don’t make it
Then we’ll be knowing
Though I don’t wanna judge
I’m not here for that
We were each put here
To solidify paths
If it wasn’t right for you
Then maybe it’ll work for me
Make a few switches
Then possibly
I’m gonna make it
And I want the same for you
So when it’s all narrowed up
And you’ve made it through
When you’re all done
Come check on me too
I’ll be chillin in the sun
With my bit of shade
To cast away the un-made few
Still tryin to get where they’re going
But it’ll stay hard
If they keep tryin to control it
These days are only so many
It took me a while
Just to learn
But you shouldn’t count
When there is plenty
Lucky to see one
Better hope for two
But only if you promise
To enjoy each day through
When the prayers get answered
And the blessings come your way
That’s when you give thanks
For that day
We’ll all end up where we were going
And even though its in the unknowing
I’ll be happy and it’ll be showing

Just Play It.

Keep'n It Real

Can I tell you how bored I am with the lack of creativity in Reality TV? Like for starters, let’s talk about the fact that there’s nothing real within it. Ironically those big wigs over at the MTV conglomerate; i.e. “The Real World and "Jersey Shore” now contrive the realist shows out right now. I hate to say it, but those fools are keeping it real.
I’m tired of all these “celebrities” being born from the misuse of fame and popularity. I miss the old days where people looked forward to catching the weekly sitcoms from the likes of “Friends” to anything on T.G.I.F. Back when there was no TiVo and we were forced to sit through commercials in order to get to the bottom of the story. Now everything on TV is a social challenge—and we just have to watch for this season’s winner. Whether its romance (superficial of course), or 75% of the entitled winnings of a pro-rated lump sum after a unnecessarily grueling period of physical hardships, or even to be crowned champion of the best cake-maker—we have to watch.
These producers have figured that there’s a commodity and a profit in television. And I don’t know how: but the money is really where the mouth is. If you can sell yourself in front of a nationwide audience in the form of having a single-view camera follow you from here to Timbuktu, then congratulations! you just ticketed yourself at a reasonable price. There are too many talentless “famous” people taking over the prime time slots. To the point where great TV is forced to being consumed from cable television channels or the likes of YouTube and Hulu.
I want to take a moment to pay respect to my newest Television addiction…“Mad Men”. A truly work of art: now that is good TV. This show is a social critique of one of the most famous eras in the 20th century: the 60s. It’s amazing how we repeatedly tell the same story about this decade from the same perspective over and over, and here in this show we see the reality of what went down back then from a whole other side of the spectrum. The wardrobe is immaculate and the truth of the time. And to hear the way politics were really viewed then is critical. There’s one thing I did learn while watching this show though: EVERYBODY drank and smoke alllll day long. It’s an amazement the products of the 60s (my parents, and maybe yours) made it through…and that I turned out, well perfect! *smile*

Please don't judge me for the few reality TV shows listed in the post prior, I fall victim to the product every now then. So maybe I'm not that perfect.

Blasted Boob-Tube

So just like I had a list of songs and/or albums I thought worthy of taking a listen to; I have here a list of TV shows that I believe are worth watching. It doesn't matter if one agrees (or not), but these shows all hold capacity deserving of some recognition. Call me a couch potato, or a nerd, or geeky--do what you see fit. But I am proud to say that I'm a coping TV-holic. My name is n*cole, and I'm addicted to TV.

Considering that now in this day and age it's so easy to access TV anywhere, we still find ourselves in need of the idiot-box. Commercials didn't stop us, why should video-streaming? It's come to the time where we can find a screen virtually anywhere; literally from the gas station to the local McDonald's to the checkout line at the grocery store--TV is E-V-E-R-Y-W-H-E-R-E. Can't beat 'em, so join 'em...for now.
Don't even get me started of Reality TV, there's only so much that's tolerable. But that's indication for a conversation due at a later date. Focus on the list in the mean time.

Here's my list:
Party Down
How To Make It In America
Ace of Cakes
Criminal Minds
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (Vegas)- Seasons 1-8
Modern Family
Cougar Town
Top Chef
Iron Chef
Dark Blue
Hawthorne
Project Runway
Grey's Anatomy
Private Practice
Mad Men
Glee

My Boys!
Keeping Up With The Kardashians
Rachel Zoe
Say Yes To the Dress
CSI: New York
The Game

E! Presents: The Soup

Shows That'll Be Missed:
The Cosby Show

Different World
In Living Color

Ugly Betty
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air- Seasons 1-3 (before "Aunt Viv" changed)
Martin
The Dave Chappelle Show
Gilmore Girls

Sister, Sister

Family Matters

Degrassi: New Generation- (when Aubrey Graham wasn't Drake yet)
Superman: The Adventures of Lois & Clark

NewsRadio
Sex and The City

ER

The Wire

The Sopranos
Who's The Boss

Growing Pains (where Leo DiCaprio started)

Living Single

Friends
Girlfriends
Everybody Hates Chris

Kenan & Kel

All That!

Clarissa Explains It All

Doug

Rugrats

(Anything on TGIF and One Saturday Morning, i.e. Recess and Pepper Ann)

In The House (LL Cool J was on TV before running around on NCIS: LA)

**these are simply the shows I remember immediately--imagine if I sat and really thought 'bout this. =)

Don't Call It A Comeback

Sir Lucious Left Foot (the son of Chico Dusty) has entered the building, y’all—and he’s come to make his presence not only noticed but also immediately respected.
Big Boi’s newest album is a combination of familiar territory and some new age features. What I consider familiar would be that trademark Atlanta soulistic playa type of flow and foundational bass beats; but it’s the infusion of big bang noise that eventually plays off those foundational beats and caters to a new feeling of hip hop—not so mellow anymore. Loud instruments and major sounds characterize this album…to me, which is something OutKast used to be typified with, but there’s just something in the water this time.
Take note on the turn of this genre, how its been somewhat beneficial to incorporate a kind of techno style. It’s taking over Pop and R&B, and it’s tryin’ to infiltrate the almighty Hip Hop. But only a select few have been able to influentially cross this border successfully, and it just might be safe to say Mr. Left Foot (aka Big Boi) has joined the group. Though sticking to his roots, Big Boi is still making music that isn’t too far of the charts that he’s unrecognizable. And he brought a few friends (to say in the least) to accompany him in this solo act—a little oxymoron.

Sir Lucious Left Foot: the Son of Chico Dusty

1. Feel Me (Intro)

2. Daddy Fat Sax- perfect following to the intro, so this is the intro song.

3. Turns Me On ft. Sleepy Brown & Joi- perfect for the bounce and sway…and I mean dancing.

4. Follow Us ft. Vonnegutt

5. Shutterbug ft. Cutty- the single. A good way to make an entrance.

6. General Patton- sounds like that one track that serves as the flowiest of the flowiest. It’s supposed to demonstrate skill because of the slower tempo, harsh words, and minimal chorus, etc.

7. Tangerine ft. T.I. & Khujo Goodie- heard it first when it was featured on T.I.’s “I’m Back” mixtape, liked ever since.

8. You Aint No DJ ft. Yelawolf

9. Hustle Blood ft. Jamie Foxx- 1 of 2 “love songs”.

10. Be Still ft. Janelle Monáe- the 2nd of the 2 “love songs”.

11. For Your Sorrows ft. George Clinton & Too Short- the ‘Get High’ song. Who else better to suit the job than none other than GC (who has been rockin the multi-colored weaved dreds for the last 3 decades), definite sign of the MJ.

12. Night, Night ft. B.o.B. and Joi- wish I coulda heard Bobby Ray a little more, that’s all.

13. Shine Blockas ft. Gucci Mane- the only place where Gucci could fit in, lol.

14. The Train Pt. 2 (Sir Lucious Left Foot Saves The Day) ft. Sam Chris- the continued story from Idlewild’s “The Train”.

15. Back Up Plan

Truly impressed, basically…I liked it.

To Be or Not To Be...Consistent

A good friend once told me: “consistency is key, because it’ll eventually get you to what you want”, and after some much consideration I can finally say I concur.

In this game it’s hard enough trying to find anyone that remotely expresses this feature, but there’s two particular individuals that immediately come to mind when I think of consistency. And despite their two entirely different worlds and backgrounds, this quality they share; both Alicia Keys and Eminem. These two in there respective genres of influence have made heavy waves that have impressed the media, the industry, and of course…US. And similarly they both experienced life-changing events that are also reflexive in their work, which ultimately makes it very clear to us what their lives consist of. And considering the rollercoasters and the upheavals they’ve gone through—coming out on the other end victorious is greatly due to the capacity of being consistent. And after all of that I must say I respect them both, whether I agree with said life-changing choices or not, they’re still here, still loved and greatly appreciated.

Alicia Keys:
This most recent album that she gave us, in my opinion lacked a whole lot of luster. Though it was very Alicia, it was a different side of her that I didn’t understand. In only 14 tracks she went from being this young, old soul heartbreaker that lived to tell the stories of her own heartbreak to that “lost and in love” type (damn you Swizz Beatz). I missed her crooning days, her “I’m better now, cuz ur gone now” steez. I mean honestly it was her incredible strength that heralded her to the top. And I’m not saying I was a fan because she knew how to reach out to the broken-hearted, she just simply knew how to tell it like it was, and that being true to yourself is the only necessity that one has to ask for. “Fallen”, “Lesson Learned”, “You Don’t Know My Name”, “If I Aint Got You”, “Like You’ll Never See Me Again”…the list could go on!! And as a matter of fact it does, throughout albums 1-4 (including Unplugged).
But then I had an Alicia day, I sat there and I listened through all the albums which carried me to The Element of Freedom…and I have to say I rethink my feelings, just slightly. I may have disregarded the album when I initially heard it because I refused to understand what she was saying. But when you take her journey as a whole, you realize that the reason why she tells a story so well is because she lived it. She’s IS in love right now; practically barefoot, pregnant and happy about it. So I have to say, she didn’t drop the ball like I personally thought…she was [is] being consistent and I have to remember that’s why I like her so much. Looking forward to the story about the hereafter.

Eminem:
Man o man, where to start? Well, I wasn’t always a fan. I thought he was too rambunctious so I never stopped to listen—a fault of mine that I’m presently working on. I only liked a few of the early tracks, you know like “The Way I Am”, “Stan”, “Lose Yourself”, “Mockingbird”, “Superman”…typical right? He never had to openly say he was on drugs, we could see it—literally, ‘member 8 Mile (the movie). So I guess Eminem always remained as a hindsight entertainer. I only noticed when he did something really ridiculous like embarrassing another artist or whatever. He wasn’t a serious contender, even though I knew he was viewed that way by so many others out there. Then he all of a sudden decided he was going to get clean and unfortunately failed, and in the process released a not-so-hot album (Relapse) revealing all of that. And finally 2010 happened, and that boy blew the hell up AGAIN. This time he got clean for real, with Elton John as his AA sponsor and everything, and is killing the game even more. His consistency: being honest and telling the truth. So speaking for those that could never commit to being his fan, like I struggled to do, take a listen to Recovery, it’ll change your mind. This album reminds me of his early years but to a more mature level. He’s still a stupid sick lyrical emcee with a talent of pissing off the right people; his targets. He can only get better now.

Consistency is key.

Make a Bet on B.E.T

This past Sunday the BET Awards premiered a live show on TV with the celebration of their 10 year anniversary as the theme. Now personally I love award shows…there is something about the fact that there is only a handful of amount of times that a large collection of stars and fame and celebrity can gather for a unified reason. In my most naïve state of mind, I like to believe that the one unified reason is because they all share a passion and love for the business they all “worked” so hard to become apart of. Despite it being singing, or dancing, or acting, or professional athleticism. I also like to believe that they [celebrities] like to come together because at one point they have all met and worked with each other and still treat one another as if they were fans of the person standing next to them. Something about that is inspiring for me. And well this year, BET thankfully didn’t do anything to ruin that feeling for me, so kudos to them for actually making a successful show.

In the showcase they pulled off:

Top Performances
• Chris Brown’s MJ Tribute: which was definitely moving and heartfelt. Hands down it shares the number #1 spot for best performance of the night. Considering how long it’s been since he’s even been to an award show, let alone performed at one, as a result of the Rihanna incident. (BET last year would not LET him come and pay tribute to the falling of MJ—and now…) Him being on stage like this, tear-ridden and all, served as his final public testimony of his wrongs, he’s sorry damnit! Miss you, Chris. Definitely miss you MJ.
• Kanye opened with Power: statement piece for sure. He stood on top of a pseudo mountain on that stage with no shirt and the biggest “di-a-mond encrusted piece” he possibly owns and rocked it out. He just wanted all those mo-fo’s and nay-sayers out there to know…he has arrived.
• B.o.B w/ Keyshia Cole and Eminem: perfect announcement because the world needs to see more of B.o.B and Keyshia needs to come back. Them performing “Airplanes pt. 2” was great becuzzz Eminem spit his verse surprisingly out of nowhere and then carried it into a “Not Afraid” performance. Wonderful.
• Prince tribute: Janelle Monae (who was embodying the spirit of both Prince and James Brown tore up that stage with her crazy footwork), Esperanza Spalding (played the hell out of the Jazz bass guitar), Alicia Keys (pregnant and on top of an effin piano—ok Prince’s look at Swizz was priceless), Patti LaBelle KILLED it (kicked her shoes off, and Prince caught one). The other performance that shares the #1 spot. Without a doubt.

Good Moments
• Monica performed her latest hit “Everything To Me” as a reunion for Deniece Williams, I mean Monica sampled her song to the T, it was the right thing to do.
• El DeBarge performed, he’s making a comeback.
• Teddy Pendergrass memorial tribute was nicely done by Tyrese, he will be missed.

Deserved Awards
• Trey Songz, Drake, Nicki Minaj: I’ll only say this once, they deserve the recognition for being absolutely all in your face for the last year…why not get an award for it.

Mentionable
• Alicia Keys performed: at the time, her even performing pregnant was a feat in itself, we had no idea what was to come a little later during the Prince tribute.
• Queen Latifah hosting: did a good job, had a lot of character skits involving Cleo from Set It Off.
• Drake performed.
• Trey Songz’ miniature tribute to Prince…wasn’t too bad.
• Finale performance: “My Chick Bad” and “Winner”, Ludacris and DJ Khaled etc…everybody and they mama, once again Diddy and Rick Ross and Nicki Minaj graced the stage for the umpteenth time, T-Pain runnin around aimless, Busta Rhymes surprise. Good ending.

WTF
• Diddy-Dirty Money: yea you maybe supporting Waka Flocka, but that coulda been left at home. And are you tryin to make Rick Ross your new oversized on-stage bff? He had everybody from the audience performing for him, not with him. SMH.
• Jada Pinkett-Smith: wardrobe mistake, can’t be a malfunction if it was intentional. She looked like she forgot that she wasn’t wearing pants. But I guess if you look that good after some kids, why not?

Good show, though.

It's Cool To Be An OutKast

*ahem, ahem, cough, cough*. It’s time to once again recognize greatness. Please prepare yourself to travel through The Love Below and Speakerboxx companionship.

From the trenches of Atlanta, Georgia came two intrinsic individuals with contrasting personalities but a common capacity to grant us a world with their musical ingenuity: André 3000 and Big Boi—together as a duo known as OutKast. It’s official this rap duo is one of the greatest to appear in the world of music and have made enormous strides in proving their rightful place amongst others at the top. The album that they are most well known for would be Speakerboxx/The Love Below album because it gathered Grammy awards and broke records that hadn’t been done since Hill’s Miseducation. But this is merely a statistic, I want to expose as many layers as I possibly can, without over analyzing and ruining the simple joy of just witnessing their mutual amazingness. {click the link}

First we must distinguish in their many albums (in my opinion are just as worthy of a lengthy conversation) these two share together a common bond to appease an audience. They are such polar opposites, and yet are similarly inspired to give us the truth on life how they see it. Big Boi: your “typical” homie, big man equals big spirit…in his case it would be all in his swag {for lack of better terms}. From his pimped-out persona to his smooth wording of the harsh world, you have no other choice but to be intrigued. And if you’re easily impressed by something abnormal—then André’s your man. Entirely strange, but completely sure of himself, he makes perfect sense as the antithesis to Big Boi. Though André still manages to remind you he’s a man of his own accord and nothing less.

Now it’s been a long 7 years since that bomb album dropped, but I still hear every beat and every lyrical mind-twister as if I were 15 and bumpin it in my brand new nano iPod all over again. As much as I love them both individually, I have to say that André killed it that year. He proved that rap and hip-hop could be so much more by openly merging them with jazz and futuristic embellishments. Not to discredit Big Boi, who definitely still had some bangers—together that album was double the pleasure. Sure! releasing a double disc album had been done before, but who ever conjured the idea the way they did? [To quickly side-track: think long and hard about their illustrious careers. HOW? I ask you, how did they imagine the plot that is Idlewild?! I mean that film was wonderful. Did anyone realize that it came strictly from the premise of Speakerboxx/The Love Below combination? Go back and relive the film, listen carefully to the song choices and the soundtrack and understand that that entire project was meticulously thought out and carried through TWO different vessels: 1) a double-disk album with 2 separate artists and 2) a friggin hip-hop musical movie! They told the story of love and romance and the struggles of the hustle in a time that doesn’t exist anymore, but still has plenty of remnants. Hooooowww?]. As I was saying, in which I hope I’m saying anything at all and not rambling, but once again I want to show the level of outstanding ability that dwells in today’s music and genres. This duo is a prime example of wonder and skill, and we’re allowed only so much through them because the manipulation of the industry. These two men deserve the prestige of fame, but thankfully are humble enough to not be tampered by the weight of celebrity. Simply genius.

Double Takes

I think we all know that history repeats itself. It’s the sign of civilization trying to find a successful formula for life and yet contradictory, it’s the sign of progression too. Well repetition could serve as a form of flattery, considering that someone or something is attempting to be a duplicate. The reason for copying is because the first one was such a great production, it needed to be done again. In music and in film this is a major component. In our world where the media dictates, damn near everything, the public is easily moved by what has been done already. Therefore it only makes sense that replicas and remakes and remixes are becoming more and more prominent. In music some of this generation’s greatest successes have been those that found innovative ways to bring back the old and make it new again {oxymoron}. Though there are plenty that unfortunately don’t know how to tune into that special ability to know the origins of true music and then be able to not butcher it in their own tracks. There’s an art to sampling and I can say that probably because I come from the generation where that’s what the majority of the “artists of now” do. I mean I can argue with my parents til the point is drilled into the ground about what constitutes a good artist. They would believe that those like Kanye lack what it takes to make original music and have to reiterate to the world the music that was already dubbed great. And though I don’t discredit their stance, there is still the strong belief that in order to even take a classic song like Mike Jackson’s “PYT” and turn it into “Good Life” takes immense musical capability. There are so many things he probably could have done wrong to ruin that joint, and yet he didn’t and continues to do so with many other hits. And don’t get me wrong, not every producer and songwriter that samples is automatically a musical genius. There are some that didn’t get the magic touch and don’t know how to be inspired by an original for their own re-creation (they’re the ones where the music or the sound or the lyrics have seemingly not changed—and basically didn’t do the song justice at all…)

On a side note, I would like to pay tribute to one of the greats that’s no longer with us (we think)…Tupac. It’s his birthday today and he is a great example of how good—excuse me, GREAT, artists were able to appropriately make re-creations and eventual classics all over again.
Tupac’s Sample Success & My Personal Fav’s (of course)
- Shed So Many Tears*: Stevie Wonder’s That Girl
- I Get Around
- Keep Your Head Up*: Zapp & Roger’s Be Alright and The Five Stairsteps’ Oooh Child
- Can’t See Me
- I Aint Mad At Cha*: Blackstreet’s If You Take You Love Away
- Do For Love*: Bobby Caldwell’s What You Won't Do for Love
- Thug Mansion
- How Do You Want It*: Quincy Jones’ Body Heat
- California Love

Other All-Time Great “Original Gangstas” and “Double Takes”
- Cruisin’: Smokey Robinson (OG), D’Angleo (DT)
- Killing Me Softly: Roberta Flack (OG), The Fugees (DT)
- Something: The Beatles (OG), Musiq Soulchild (DT)
- Just The Two Of Us: Bill Withers (OG), Will Smith (DT)
- You’re All I Need To Get By: Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell (OG), Method Man & Mary J. Blige (DT)

- I Can't Stand the Rain: Nina Peebles (OG), Missy Elliott (DT)

- Pink & Blue: Andre 3000 (OG), Whenever: KiD CuDi (DT)

- I’m Coming Out: Diana Ross (OG), Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems: Biggie (DT)
- Love T.K.O.: Teddy Pendergrass (OG), Back In The Days: Ahmad (DT)
- Groove With You: Isley Brothers (OG), Beauty In The Dark: Mos Def (DT)
- Moments of Love: Art of Noise (OG), Freaks: Play N’ Skills (DT) & One For Me: Lloyd (DT)
- Call Me: Aretha Franklin (OG), Selfish: Slum Village (DT)

Finally, I just witnessed another eye-catching double take in the remake of The Karate Kid. The irony in itself is that the movie alone is a duplication of something original that graced our presence in 80s to the early 90s, and now the young star to embody such a character is the live version of life reincarnate through the famous Smith family. Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith’s youngest son has been inducted into my hall of favs. Little Jaden Smith is the new karate kid and also the new Will Smith all over again…it’s like “Will, now we know what you looked like as a child…literally”. The way his lip curls, his comedic timing, his swagged out strut and to the cocky smirk on his 12 year old face—he IS Will once more. Congratulations Smiths, you all have figured the recipe for staying relevant and fresh even after age and time have challenged you into staying away from the limelight. There must not be anything wrong with duplicity. (And I wanna add that Jackie Chan did a great job, for once his character was not treated in the stereotypical sense and was truly convincing in his role). I give this movie: 4 stars out of 5. {click the link}

Summer Forecast

My forecast for the summer:
Yeeeezzzzyyyyy! He’s baaaaaaackk! *Power has been dropped as a not so silent sample of what’s to come and I (in addition to a largely excited population) am ready. I’m personally so impatient that I feel like I could predict that this upcoming album is going to be a heavy marriage of Late Registration and 808s. Just based of this one single, I can immediately hear the same beats that resemble Late Registration’s “Crack Music”…but then his flow starts and though it’s lacking the autotune, his style IS 808s. In this one song all by itself, if you listen carefully, he’s explaining the justifications for his recent actions. And if you take an even closer listen, you’d notice that there is no apology given, just reasoning. Love it. He reprimand’s the media for jumping on him about who he is. And like I said all along, Kanye was hurt—and everybody has their way of expressing their pain. Imagine being a famed starlet with eyes always on you and the most devastating thing happens to you (idk, like losing your mom) and you have nowhere to expel those feelings privately. So what do you do? You interrupt undeserving acceptance speeches and show up visibly drunk on the Red Carpet. Oh, k. Well that’s probably not what a non-celeb would do, but my point is: he was entitled to his emotions. And now he’s back and he’s gonna tell us all exactly how he feels right now.

Drizzy Drake as everybody (except me) likes to refer him as, finally let go of that album of his. It only took forever, but at least it’s here, and this one is official. Guys, that first “album” was called a mixtape. And a mixtape means a compilation of original lyrics over usually already released or remixed music, and/or basically an unsigned artist dropping their own work without any connections to a record label…ladies and gentlemen that’s So Far Gone. [we’ll discuss mixtapes and the premise of sampling at a later date]. Anyway, now we have Thank Me Later. All I can say is that I’m thanking him for not effin up and releasing something that would have demonstrated how premature he is in this game. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the mixtape—a lot. But something happened; he jumped up too soon and thought he was bigger than the hype, unfortunately losing genuine music-lovers as fans in the process. The album sounds like a continuation and damn near mirrors what we’ve already heard in So Far Gone. But I see his formula, if it ain’t broke—don’t fix it. So Far Gone had a great following, so why stray from what’s successful? Thank Me Later isn’t full of anything truly unexpected, it’s mainly a relief that it’s a good listen-worthy album. Oh I know what’s missin this time around: no male vocals, i.e. Trey Songz, LOL.
*Fireworks *Karaoke *Show Me A Good Time *Fancy *Unforgettable *Thank Me Now

JamRock! I will quickly admit that I’m new to the reggae game, I’m just now getting acquainted with some of the classics from the Marley clan as a whole. My only knowledge of a good reggae song was Lauryn Hill’s remake duet with a voiceover of Bob Marley on “Turn The Lights Down Low”. Despite it all, it’s nonetheless a great timing for the summer and the fact that Nas & Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley have dropped a rap-duo album just recently (Distant Relatives). After seeing them perform live, which is now on the list for one of the best shows I’ve seen…ever, my eyes have been opened to the world of the Rastafari beat. Considering that Nas is going through some very personal hardships (bad divorce from Kelis) all his strength and animosity has been torn into each track, and ‘lil Marley’s love for the African mankind speaks volumes.
*Patience *Strong Will Continue *Count Your Blessings *Africa Must Wake Up

And when Lupe settles his managerial disputes with his label and we finally get our hands on LASERS, then I’ll fully dedicate my analysis of that greatness that is to come. I just can't do it justice as of now.
*I’m Beaming *What You Want

she would, he will, they can't

he cant

he won’t
she will
he wouldn’t
she shan’t
she wants
he still
couldn’t do it
it’s more than a few steps
to get to the right place
but it’s more than enough
if you’re tryin to erase
I try not to walk quickly
just in case
wanna be able to say
‘I felt it’, when it happened
instead of ‘don’t remember’
no going back, to back then
it’s been changed, but the same
all the time
so when it’s been chained and detained
it feels like a crime
but now you see why
she shan’t
she wants
he still
didn’t do it
he can’t
he won’t
she did
he wouldn’t
but let the tables turn
like they’re under the DJ’s fingers
and runnin ragged circles
was the only way to please her
be unknown to you,
playin the game was her demeanor
you’re left stranded
without a clue to find
proceeding with one choice
but second guessin your mind
then at dusk
the answers are clear to you
it never dawned
that this was real for her too
so in the end
she can’t
she won’t
he will
she wouldn’t
he shan’t
he wants
she still
couldn’t do it

(copyright by n*cole)

Girls Gone Wrong

Run, run for your lives!...the ignorance is taking over! Honestly what the hell is going on out there?! We’ve got naked women purposefully exposing old sex tapes for some claim to “embarrassed” fame. Really? How shamed could you be if you knew you had them and you knew who to get them to for them to be “leaked”? [Kendra Wilkinson]. And for those ruined women, whose names have been stained with adultery and deceit; apparently it’s a lot easier than an actual 9-5. There is obviously something financially sound in finding a rich, married and “celebified” man to have commit infidelity and then make him pay her for it! Doesn’t that sound like minimized social degradation and glorified prostitution? And I’m not just attacking the women…the men are up to no good too. But another thing. Palin’s daughter (the one who was underaged and pregnant during the McCain/Palin campaign) is now being featured in the Harper’s Baazar magazine—as a glamorous teenage mom! Are you kidding me? So what, is it cool to be a teenager and to have a baby the hot thing of the week now? No way in hell should she be displayed as a positive goal to attain for the young audience out there.

I’m not entirely blaming these women for the poor choices that they made, but nonetheless until otherwise learned, they were well aware and conscious when they decided to say ‘yes’ to those bad ideas. Though what I am definitely giving equal credit to would be the media and the society that runs behind it. Young women shouldn’t feel like their only way up is to pull their panties down, and society shouldn’t allow certain social reinforcers that are ultimately rewarding these same young women a little later down the road. For instance: sex tapes shouldn’t equal celebrity and recognition/ adultery shouldn’t equal one time pay checks larger than a medically trained surgeon’s yearly salary/ teen pregnancy shouldn’t equal glamorous lifestyle without ever having worked for a damn thing. There is something dangerously wrong with this picture.

But like I said, I’m not trying to reprimand only girls today, some boys have been bad too. But really quick, how is overtly gay or bisexual PDA for women who may not be gay, be some way to bring attention to their fame [Christina Aguilera, Nicki Minaj, Beyonce, Lady Gaga]? It you’re talented, then be talented, we don’t need all these unnecessary allusions to what you might do to a same-sex partner. I personally don’t have any problem with those that identify with homosexuality, but when it’s being used to extort celebrity-ness, I have a problem with that. IDK ladies, selling your character for the price of fame…there’s no refund for that. Ugh, I guess I had no tattling to do on the bad boys after all. Next time.

Here’s: What I Think (WIT)- Again

• Clap. Clap…clap…clap clap clap…applause. That is the dramatic slow progression of applause given for T.I., who was recently on Larry King Live. I must say that man is quite articulate and very well versed in finding compatible language for the audience that Larry King generates. Not that I’m surprised. WIT: I love how Blacks are more aware of having to “white-up” their speech the same way some may have to “dumb it down” occasionally to get their second party to comprehend in a conversation. Basically Tip succeeded at just that in the live interview. And if you peep the show yourself, you’d see. T.I. had some pretty ridiculous questions shot at him, namely from Larry (and even from an in-studio caller that got confused on the name of the woman that he’s friggn’ engaged to! Caller had the nerve to say she was a fan, LOL).

• The middle son of the Simmons clan has joined the ranks of professional rapper. Yes he got flow. Everybody should be on the watch for this petite hottie, because if you turn your head long enough you might miss a growth spurt that’ll push him into the spotlight Bow Wow used to hold down. WIT: though the kid is good, it’s got to be a damn SMH moment for the family considering the eldest boy (JoJo) attempted a rap career first but was convincingly not talented. I guess he expected that his dad and his uncle’s coat tails combined would be long enough to carry him. He thought wrong. Now lil Diggy is gunnin for him and the rest of the genre at full speed ahead and even Diggy knows it. He said in ‘What They Been Waitin For’, “becuz I’m young articulate and very different…even the old heads diggin it”…go ‘head Diggy. (I just like this song~ aww shoot!)

• That damn video! Have you seen it? The one where she’s grinding the mutheffin floor in the first 30 seconds as if a man was actually beneath her legs. I mean it’s one thing to watch those particular fools at the club, that feel compelled to do that sometimes on the dance floor, but really Ciara? WIT: In Ciara’s newest video for her song ‘Ride’, she’s obviously trying to achieve the same (if not higher) recognition that she did when she dropped the ‘Promise’ and ‘Like A Boy’ videos back in ’07. My thing is, there is nothing wrong with wanting to regain your famed position, but do you really need to do it at the expense of your dignity? Grinding on the floor in spandex leggings and standing legs wide open above Ludacris’ head in a revealing one-piece bathing suit is a little extreme. And the pivotal part where she literally rides a mechanical bull to the beat of the track…geez.

• But for the videos that I do approve of for the week would be Alicia Keys’ ‘Unthinkable (I’m Ready)’ and Drake’s ‘Find Your Love’—hands down. WIT: Alicia, considering that you’ve been greatly distracted by that boo of yours (and being with child counts), most of the CD you just dropped wasn’t the best of your work…BUT that song ‘Unthinkable’…man! Just great, and happily you failed to disappoint with an equally matching good video to accompany the song. Co-starring Chad Michael Murray and a theme of decades worth of tested love, I gotta say, bravo. As for you Mr. Drizzy, since your celebrity all rests on the most anticipated album drop of the year, so far you’re doing good with your single releases. ‘Over’ was good, ‘Find Your Love’ is better, things should only get great from here—that’s the hope anyway. It’s obvious that the lesson you’re learning from this quick climb up is that you have to have greats on your side to better enhance what you’ve been shielding the world from. For example, employing Kanye is genius, basically because, well he is. Therefore I’m pleased; so don’t mess up.

• Apparently Usher has figured out how to be the best storyteller. He took his life, ever since 8701 and gave us descriptive play by plays of how his most public relationships between Chili and Tomeka went down. Of course we didn’t really take note until the obliviousness of his infidelity with Chili went public and gave him coincidentally mega stardom in Confessions. WIT: Something that all the other unfaithful celebrities failed to figure out, was to take your indiscretions and make them work for you—cash 'em in. Usher confessed to cheating and supposedly creating a child out of wedlock with his mistress and got a multi-platinum status as an artist. So now the story continues in Raymond v. Raymond. Usher again figured we’d wanna know what went down between him and his now ex-wife, so who better to serenade us about it than Usher himself. Another thing Usher was good at figuring; how to use the new “pop” sound of the era and combine it with the usual recipe for a profitable R&B album. Good work, you have now been proclaimed as a Veteran to the game.

it's my birthday! ♥ and FELIZ CINCO DE MAYO!

In the infamous words of 50 cent:
"Go, go, go, go
Go, go, go shawty
It's your birthday
We gon' party like it's yo birthday
We gon' sip Bacardi like it's your birthday"

AND...cuz i always thought this was cute:



this is what the fam bam sings evvvveeerrry year:

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

kids say the darndest things

Hands down that little girl gave the best child actress performance I’ve ever seen. She already managed to snatch some attention with her “knowledge beyond her years” attitude in her 500 Days of Summer character and now she’s figured how to channel that over in remnants of this new character in Kick Ass, where she plays a no-holds-bar bad ass miniature vigilante. She’s a hard-core trained assassinator and holds her own in a man to man combat with a grown adult man. 11 year old Chloë Moretz carries herself with the adult charisma that will set her apart from the already recognized Dakota Fanning’s and the former Drew Barrymore’s. In Kick Ass alone, she’s cursing and handling heavy artillery; which is slightly disturbing to know that she never exposes awkwardity for holding guns or driving cars…or committing relentless murders for that matter. That’s definitely the main reason why this film is receiving the rare, but existent negative reviews; traditional Hollywood doesn’t know how to receive a little girl that isn’t little. But this is the thing, when it comes to child actors, us adults forget that they are in the business of portraying characters just like grown-ups do. They are acting too! We expect kids to be kids, and to be seen as such. But let’s not discredit that Chloë is probably still a kid at heart, and that she simply did her job. She delivered such a compelling performance that the critics forget to criticize the skill that it took for her to carry that out. To further the contradictions of Hollywood: they gather these talented children and provide them the venues it takes to roll out the red carpet (so to speak) of stardom for the price of their innocence and childhood; and then as soon as they begin to live up to the pressures that adulthood imposes on them from the business, they’re judged for not being nascent. It’s bothersome that the industry is that hypocritical.

Without her input, I know for sure that I wouldn’t have enjoyed the film as much as I did. Go see it for yourself.

Pay Attention

B.o.B
With The Adventures of Bobby Ray coming to iTunes and stores near you, we should perk up our years and get to listening. I was first impressed with a little number he’s got called “I’ll Be In The Sky” about a year ago, it’s totally retro OutKast and a lil’ new age ’00s (IDK what to call this era by the way; the 2000’s, the double-o’s, what?). He’s got that ATL cleverness that apparently gets the attention of the rest of the nation (probably cuz all the applications of radio-active purples and greens they use in their wardrobe and music vids). And with an air of cockyness, that’s just enough, this man is breaking waves into the Hip-Hop scene. I think what this album is gonna present is the same kind of creative thinking that my “go-to guys”, KiD CuDi/ Lupe Fiasco, uses to persuade us with. Basically that type of creativity that most people want to immediately write-off as just weird, but my thing is weird isn’t something to be weary of. It’s those silent types you gotta watch out for. Also another oldie but goodie that’s been workin’ this steez to the fullest would be an all time great, Mr. Mos Def, himself. Call it “HIPnosis”, if you will, the combination of off-key singing and lyrical spits that are meant to motivate the masses back into believing in Hip-Hop again. Sorry Nas, I think the genre is coming back from the dead.
B.o.B aka Bobby Ray, I think is one of those brave musicians. He evidently likes to dabble in all types of music in order to re-create a style that reflects something on his own. For instance, the idea to have the lead singer from Paramore and Eminem on the same song…and the lil comical kicker in that situation is that her name is HAYLEY. (you know, Hayley…like Eminem’s daughter’s name is Hailey…we know that cuz he talks/raps bout her all the time…anywhoo). So yea, B.o.B is going to try to wake the scene up by making music that I think we haven’t heard in a while. Which is fine with me, I think we need a little something refreshing.
i first noticed: I'll Be In The Sky

Aloe Blacc
My feature presentation for you today, people, is somebody we should all begin to take a special note. Because I like to believe that if we’re not careful, we just might miss him if we blink. Aloe Blacc. I already mentioned him a couple of times (in my music recommendation lists), and this cat is something I like to call—talented. Speaking of retro, he really puts Hip-Hop music into perspective. Considering that just like everything else that maintains a rotation in this world, music has found a way to evolve and evolve. More specifically genres of music have been changing over time. And as much as I LOVE Hip-Hop, it doesn’t sound like it used to when it was blaring over Ghetto Blaster boomboxes on the stoops of the Bronx or even when it was “rollin’ down the street, and sippin’ on Gin & juice”. It has taken a turn, actually a U-turn, and is incorporating back to the roots where ‘black’ music started in the first place…(no not jazz, but) soul music.
Aloe Blacc has found something by being able to successfully mix the ideas of churchy spirituals and 70s ol’ school R&B into the mega power that is Hip-Hop. I have found a level of respect in the few pieces that I’ve heard, and I’m happy to say that thus begins a new fan. And once again, I have become a fan of somebody else, what can I say I like commitment…to good musical artistry.
Apparently Aloe has been working for some years now, and if you were payin attention to my rants about “How To Make It In America”, then you might already be familiarized with his debut track ("I Need A Dollar") as in the intro/theme song to the show. If not then…his debut track is the theme song to the show. And his 3rd solo album Good Things will paint a better vision of what I’m trying to exclaim right now. To sum it all up, I’m impressed, and when there’s something I think worth knowing, I have to take it upon myself to be the bearer of good news.

kill 2 birds with 1 link: I Need A Dollar

Follow Your Dreams

Earlier this week while listening to an interview, I heard a great quote about the human psyche and how we form ideas or things of the like. From a disclosed source, was probably the best interpretation of how the unconscious mind operates in the most simplistic analogy. In his description, he tried to materialize why things are always fuzzy when we first wake up from an extensive dream. You know, that feeling after you’ve been dreaming of dragons sipping tea and your mom dancing on tightropes with your Pre-school teacher; and then you wake up, desperately trying to remember which happened first—the thirsty dragons or the tightrope dancing. Or better yet WHY either of those situations occurred. Well according to this interpretation, our minds aren’t meant to always make an understanding of something…at least unconsciously.

“The subconscious is like this big party that you’re not invited to. So when your brain shows up—it’s a disaster, totally ruining the party”

Apparently science proves that our minds are circuited to come up with ‘ideas’ and that they flash in our minds a ½ second before we actually get the impulse to do it and carry out what we ‘saw’. This is all according to this interesting interview. Just know: the guy is an independent film animator of dark comedies, so of course he would be intrigued to even wonder about these things in the first place. And of course, my weird desire to understand and know more (a nice way to say nosey)…I found myself intrigued too.
I believe that dreams are a wonderful source of creativity and a small foreshadowing of how our lives are to unfold just slightly. Not that I without hesitation suggest you live by your dreams, but that our minds are designed to show us that we’re unaware of what we’re capable of. The only problem is that, when we first wake up (this is when that interrupting part of our brains tries to crash the party) we try to make sense of what just happened. But how do you make sense of a nimble and talented Pre-school teacher? And I also think that most artists, filmmakers, writers, musicians, so on and so forth have learned how to embrace the weird dreams and carefully extract them in recordable systems, i.e. music videos and all time great movies and Warhol-esque masterpieces.

Another thing that reading dreams reminded me of are horoscopes. I don’t want to scare people, but I believe in astrology to some degree. I think it’s true to an extent that our individual personalities are deeply connected to what sign we were born under. And though taking into account that as individuals we all engage in varying life situations and upbringings, we should still take note that, that shit is no joke sometimes. Now don’t go assuming that I believe in the horoscopes that tell you when you’ll fall in love or that you’re gonna fall down a flight of stairs next week just because you’re a Capricorn living your life on the 3rd Monday of the month…I’m just saying that my personality is connected to the Taurean bull that enhances my character.
Ok I’m done, I’ve completed my quota for weirding people out for the day.

Gotta Go, Gotta Leave

There are some things I want to address. Bear with me because I don’t think there is really any type of flow, just a typical exposure of how my mind works—randomly.

1) "The Boondocks" are coming back to Adult Swim (formerly the cartoon network for really big kids late at night) for it’s third and final season. This is unfortunate. The show being on it’s finality that is, not that it’s coming back…because that is a good thing, a great thing. Back in the day when traditionalists still believed in receiving their news of current issues from um, what are they called, oh yea newspapers; I was only peeling that thing open for the Sunday funnies. And specifically I was in deep search for the weekly episode of Aaron McGruder’s "The Boondocks". How could you go wrong when you’ve got a pre pre-teen social radical critically watching the no-sense makers of his neighborhood run amuck, namely his own younger brother. Huey takes note of the American politics that monopolize his surrounding suburb, in which he lives, through his lil pro-Black eyes. The comic strip was hilarious, the artwork personally inspired me, and the animated show literally put voices to the words that needed to be heard.
2) Remember a little while back when I first prompted for the new HBO series “How To Make It In America” to be checked out, well 7 episodes later and we have reached a season closer (NOT a series closer if I pray hard enough). I cannot stress enough how much I would loooove to see this show make it to a season 2. I might just have to write them [HBO] a letter. Honestly it’s quite refreshing to finally see something urban and true hit the screen and I’m not talking about “man-made urban”…man made urban meaning corporate ideas of how hip-hop influences are reflected in actual people and the irony is that THEY DON’T KNOW. Sooo as I was saying, it’s nice to watch a show and completely relate without ever questioning whether the writers behind it all ever experienced what they are making these actors portray.
3) Something else that’s coming to a close: "Ugly Betty". I bet nobody expected that this would be show worth catching my attention. But honestly, how could it not…have you EVER looked at an episode? How could it go under the radar with all those damn bright colors, fabulous style and witty as hell one-liners? It’s gone though hell just within only 4 seasons, and it’s failing mainly because they never could get their ball rolling again after that blasted writer’s strike that took place a couple years back. Oh well, it had a good run and Betty ain’t ugly no more.

Well lookie there, I guess I had a theme after all, and I’m not as random as I thought. But basically I wanted to point out there are some greats that are getting ready to take the final bow and I believe it is worth giving the appreciative attention necessary. Things last if we want it to, so what’s wrong with asking for what you want?

how i feel

tonight is about livin in life. let's have fun.

Respect Is "Ba"Due

It is time to take some recognition for the one and the only: Erykah Badu. Here we go. Hailing from Dallas, Texas with enough soul to fulfill the vast space of that entire state (and trust me there’s a LOT of space), Badu has undoubtedly brought Neo-soul to its name. There are great artists who’s own success and inspiration arise from her inner light alone (take a look at both Andre “3 stacks” and Common- hell, both are happy with just having been privileged with the opportunity of being in love with her). In the late 90s, when she debuted, I was only about 10 or 11 years old—I knew then she was force to be reckoned with then. Played throughout my household, especially on a Sunday; there was no better way to wind down from a rough week on the playground. To this day, I thank my parents for having such great taste in music and sharing it with me. Her style is a recipe of ol’ school classic R&B, jazz, soultry melodies, and of course hip hop; which ultimately makes for a happy listener. Her voice is incomparable, so it’s missed when not heard often. That is why I must say respect is due now that she’s back for her 6th album New Amerykah Part II: Return of the Ankh.

First and foremost let us rewind and pay attention to the New Amerykah Part I! How—I say HOW could nobody understand the musical intelligence that sneakily lies within each and every track on that damn LP?? It didn’t get the recognition it deserved, and I’m talking about the consumer—not the industry. Sure “Honey” got some airtime, but that’s not even the deepest song that reflects the entire album. Take a listen to “Soldier” (the detailed story of the typical black youth fighting the war of social inequity) or “The Healer” (the search and retrieval of a higher level in anything/everything around us) or “Me” (Erykah herself, inspiring the ‘me’ in you). There should have been some push for her to emancipate those tracks further than the limited number of iPod headphones or car system speakers, I wanna see some true fandom here. Raise up! So when this next album drops within the next couple of weeks, I wanna hear singles on the radio and videos on the screen. Let’s acknowledge greatness, not the everyday bullshit that’s plaguing the youth right now. I’m sayin…I was 10 for goodness sakes, I saw greatness.

I was blessed with having seen in her live performance some months back and I was proud of knowing every word she sang and to be cheerfully surprised by how humble she is. Personally cannot wait for this new album, her talent goes “On & On”.

YouTube her new singles: Window Seat and Turn Me Away (Get MuNNy) and enjoy this:

The Show

How much time do I have left?
Because all I feel are deadlines
No matter where it went
I consider it theft
And I bet
The time wasn’t even really mine
But none the less
It’s gone, forced on
Leaving those who remain
In all just the same
To play the sad songs
I just want to re count, re live, remember
Though it’s so hard to see just last week
And all the months have disappeared in the –embers
Like the fire that burns them out in sweeps
And like the fire that fuels the drive
It does two jobs: push me forward; vanish the past behind to hide
You know
With all my capabilities
I yearn for just a little dependency
Too bad I’m on the wrong side
Stretch me this way, pull a little too far
Something will snap back
With guarantee, there might be scars
They said this is the easy part
And when you’re little, they would never lie
Now I’m too big, seen some hard stuff
So here is where I would like to reside
So how do you make yourself strong enough?
How do you check your time?
Who can I consult with- cuz the waiting area’s got this long line…
I’m not trying to vacate the rough stuff
Just wanna better prepare my shield
Oh- ‘nobody’s got the answer’
‘Gotta wait and see how it feels’?
Well, can’t say I didn’t try
Here’s what I came up with in despite:
Everybody will play their roles through
And some will smile and cry
The understudy won’t be needed
And sometimes you’ll miss your cue
Make sure you never cease the act
Because the show has got to go on too
No one wants a half-way production
(Trust me, I wouldn’t pay)
Carry it through the very end
Pause and recite, ‘member all your lines
Don’t worry about anybody else
Cuz The Director’s got your time

~ R.I.P. Momo (dedicated to you)

(copyrighted by n*cole)

"how can you stand next to the truth and not see it"

Read

I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight Lyrics

here.

some viewing pleasure. i'm getting better acquainted with my posting skills, and this video struck a cord. not usually fond of U2, but when they hit-- they hit.

Here’s: What I Think (WIT)

• Somewhere in Mississippi (the south) a county school district cancelled an entire prom because a teenage lesbian’s same-sex date wanted to come in a tuxedo! WIT: It’s like what do you want, school district? Either you allow the girl to take who she wants, OR you allow the girl’s date to wear what they probably deem P.C. for most dates to wear anyway. Basically single-mindedness is still running rampid down there. And in short, the most loved spokesperson for the Gay community, Ellen DeGeneres, gave the girl a $30K scholarship. Wow. Handin’ out money just because somebody else wronged you for being who you are, isn’t that like a reparation??
• The ass- Rush Limbaugh and other un-poised people of the right wing are telling an 11 yr old Obama supporter that his sick mom woulda died anyway, despite the new healthcare reform bill. WIT: Great. Jusssst great, I hope that got on FoxNews.
• Gorillaz have a new video. WIT: Please check it out. Animated rock-n-roll monkies. Thelma & Louise set up. Mos Def and Bobby Womac vocals…and Bruce Willis. Can’t go wrong. “Stylo”.
• I love Robin Thicke as much as the next person, if not more sometimes. BUT what are you doooin right now, Rob? WIT: I get that music is ever changing and everything, although whatever happened to stickin to a good thing? This recent album wasn’t very therapeutic—and now this vid with Estelle (Rollacoasta). This is not you, homie. I like both you and Estelle, so get it together…for the sake of Paula and your new bundle of joy, please.
• IDK what Romeo majored in at USC, but those Econ classes are payin off. WIT: He’s turning into the new young mogul right before our eyes with animated movies and video games in the works. I hereby give my props to the P.Miller clan.
• Lady GaGa’s ex is suing her for millions, WIT: maybe now we’ll see what bones fall out from under all the wigs and gi-normous head gear. And as far as the vid with Beyonce goes…cool colors, nice outfits/ make-up/cinematography. That is all.
• T.I.’s got a mixtape—it’s official he’s baaaaaack. “Back For The First Time”. Also, he and Tiny are finally setting a date. WIT: Good things come to those who wait…for years. One more thing, he’s being hit with another lawsuit, this one for title infringement. Won’t they leave that man alone?!
• Ever wonder what would happen to the guy responsible for Malcolm X’s murder if he were to be released from prison? WIT: Well we’re gonna find out, cuz he’s headed home soon. Parole is soon, release is soon, his protection —can’t bank on anything.
• Take a listen to C. Breezy’s “Famous Girl”. I personally enjoyed the song when I first heard it. But now there’s this talk about how true the references are in the lyrics…supposedly RihRih slept with not 1 or 2, but FOUR top rap names: Kanye, Drake, T.I. and KiD CuDi. WIT: If that’s true, I don’t wanna know. That’s beyond a SMH, that’s a damn WTF! I’m already upset just considering the truth. And he was begging with his fans to resuscitate his career, dude that's not how you go about it. What did I just say about those who wait?
• WIT: Day of sadness if another major Black magazine has to have the fat lady sing something. Apparently Essence is facing the end, but if Vibe Magazine can see the white light and still make a comeback, so can the people of Essence.

The Homie: Louis Vutton Don to Broken Heart

Everything I say is interpretive according to my own personal outlooks and beliefs. But…
Ever notice how great Kanye’s College Dropout is? Well I feel it’s even greater now being able to listen to it as a college senior. Once again, my eyes have been opened anew due to the life experiences and personal growth. Of course his album was great and groundbreaking in 2003-2004, but now in 2010—I’m different, Kanye’s different, and the industry is as always…different.
College Dropout simultaneously seriously and jokingly criticizes how the system manufactures people. It’s like an assembly line that Kanye was just too big to fit on. That’s what I figured out in 2003. Now I understand that I’ve been participating in exactly what he told us, as if he foreshadowed what my collegiate life would resemble.
Kanye had a theme in the beginning. He started with this uppercut jab to the jaw of the structure of education. Every LP title from his debut to his third was a reference to the school system, until his 4th album (the turn of his life that altered everything).
{1. College Dropout 2. Late Registration 3. Graduation 4. 808’s & Heartbreaks}

1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 

And one could tell that he was no longer about educating his fan base, but rather that he was declaring a set of emotions that people don’t usually wish to expose; he was depressed. Surely anybody could argue with me about the prior statement. [For instance: most artists use their respective mediums to express feelings that people don’t usually expose openly. Like Eminem, KiD CuDi, and/or Corinne Bailey Rae]. So here’s my counterargument Eminem was/is angry—that’s how he funnels his depression, KiD CuDi felt neglected in the early years of his life—“so be it” is his attitude, and CBR was suddenly widowed—that’s a relative shock. Kanye was simply heartbroken, two separate loves of his life left him alone inexplicably. All in all there’s nothing wrong with this emo look he’s trying on, I mean he is one for the dramatic flare, though that doesn’t discredit his saddened emotions. He is truly amazing in his work—and all those new blogs that he’s posting about the meaning of life in his own definitions, and so on, are GREAT! Just the right words to put it, if that’s your state of mind. He’s not crazy…he’s creative. That’s it.

......And I learned recently that he will be returning to us (his faithful fanbase) with a 5th LP that realigns with his original hip-hop themes. It's called "Good Ass Job", which is the perfect conclusive title to his message. It would have been album #4 had he not experienced life and stuff. But all in all, I can't wait for his return!

a longer list

As mentioned before, I had a small list of songs to refer to for some musical enjoyment. Well here is an extension of some more of my personal favorites. Once again, I have to remind that these are simply suggestions, things to consider. My mission is to open other minds to the seemingly unnoticed music of the vast genres out there. I like to imagine that my music taste is pretty eclectic, so therefore my song choices are varied. Anyway that's enough for a preamble to the list, lemme just give it already.

Who's Gonna Save My Soul- Gnarls Barkley

(song & video)

All I Could Do Was Cry- Etta James

Soldier- Erykah Badu

Come Close- Common ft. Mary J. Blige

(song & vid)

Sunrise- Norah Jones

You Make Me Smile Again- D'Angelo

The Seed 2.0- The Roots ft. Cody Chesnut

(song & vid)

The Love Below- André 3000

(album)

I'm Yours- Jason Mraz

It Ain't Over Til It's Over & I'll Be Waiting- Lenny Kravitz

Made Up My Mind- Lyfe Jennings

So Far Gone- Drake

(mixtape)

Trouble Man- Marvin Gaye

Killing Me Softly- The Fugees

(song & vid)

The Penthouse Elevator- Charles Hamilton

Dirt Off Your Shoulder- DJ Dangermouse

Floetic- Floetry

(song & vid)

Sober- Pink

A Good Man- India. Arie

Help- The Beatles

If I Ruled The World- Nas ft. Lauryn Hill

Good Love- Lucy Pearl

You & Me- Dave Matthews Band

The Sea- Corinne Bailey Rae

(album)

The Sweetest Taboo- Sadé

Knocks Me Off My Feet- Stevie Wonder

Try A Little Tenderness- Otis Redding

I'm Beaming- Lupe Fiasco

Beauty In The Dark- Mos Def

The Wiz- People Under The Stairs

(song & vid)

People Make The World Go Round- The Stylistics

Tie My Hands- Lil Wayne & Robin Thicke

Turn And Turn Again- All Thieves

The Chain- Ingrid Michaelson

Sincerely, Jane- Janelle Monáe

Take Me- Teedra Moses ft. Raphael Saddiq

Dani California- Red Hot Chilli Peppers

Two Weeks- Grizzly Bear

In The End- Linkin Park

See You In My Nightmare- Kanye West ft. Lil Wayne

Sleepyhead- Passion Pit

(song & vid)

Electric Feel- MGMT

My Girls- Animal Collective

This Way- Dilated Peoples ft. Kanye West

(song & vid)

Turn The Lights Down Low- Lauryn Hill & Bob Marley

Tha Carter III- Lil' Wayne

(album)

In Love With You- Erykah Badu ft. Stephen Marley

Spoiled- Joss Stone

(song & vid)

ENJOY!!!!!! love music and prosper