Ok. This is what happens when I can’t decide what to write about. (I don’t get writer’s block so much as I become temporarily apathetic at times. Oy vey.)
Sooo… I’m substituting for a Spanish class, and, in place of busy work, the instructor has left a copy of ‘Finding Nemo’ (which is quite hilarious) for the students to watch in Spanish (even MORE hilarious).
And if I learned only one word of Spanish out of that entire movie, it would simply be:
Ayuda Me.
Which means, ‘Help Me.’
And that little brat of a hard headed kid fish Nemo says it. Over. And Over. Again.
I mean, he says it so much, I’m wondering if Pixar had half a mind to have a sub-title for the movie to be ‘Finding Nemo: Help Me!’. I don’t even remember hearing the words ‘help me’ as much in an one of the Saw movies, Hostel’s, Freddy, Jason or Michael Myers movies COMBINED.
*shakes head*
Anyways, yeah, there’s my random thought for the day. Which, given my current state of mind, has me finding myself quoting the exact same sentiment.
Help Me.
Lord Help Me.
For sanity purposes, anyway. lol
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Support Your Locals... Business (?)
Yes.
You should.
Think about it: Some cultures, in some areas, always seem to be thriving, almost recession proof (although nothing is TRULY recession proof, but still). They always seem to frequent the same haunts, shop the same grocery & corner marts, and staunchly, proudly represent and advocate these places, and the people that own these businesses.
People that look like, THEM.
They can relate to them, share stories with, and, in most cases, are family, extended family, or friends of the family.
Hmmm.
Italians, Latinos, Africans, West Indian & Caribbean, Lebanese, Irish, Jewish, the list could go on & on. And all these and more nationalities don’t always have a published directory for their services; it’s 100% WORD. OF. MOUTH.
Hmmm.
Unfortunately, there are still several demographics that continually have a hard time supporting businesses run by their own kind. And unfortunately, African Americans are amongst the lion share of this area.
But why? Why is it hard for us to support black-owned businesses, plays, record shops, food spots, etc. ?
Hmmm.
Commonly, too often are we looking for a ‘hook-up’ or some form of ‘discount’, and to be ‘cool’ with the customers, black business owners will cut the deals so that they are always seen as ‘cool’ and ‘showin love’.
But ‘showin love’ doesn’t pay rent. Or light bills. Or business expenses.
Then those same people that waned the ‘hook up’ wonder why the place of their ‘hook ups’ is closing.
Because we DON’T. SUPPORT.
FINANCIALLY.
Yeah, it’s cool to say ‘that’s the cool spot, my guy owns that place’. But that’s not SUPPORTING it, by simply endorsing it as a ‘cool spot’. It takes MONEY to run a business. So if anything, if that’s ‘your man’s & them’, you should be the FIRST one in line to make a FULL PURCHASE. AND bring others and encourage them to do the same.
But on the flip side, more often than not the business owner’s themselves are only in it for a ‘quick buck’, not looking for longevity, and the quality of what is offered is rushed and lacking. Which perpetuates the stigma of ‘black businesses’ being ‘bootleg’, ‘second rate’, or, more bluntly, ‘half assed’.
So how do we fix this? Simply? (in my opinion, anyways) I offer the following:
1. Black business owners: TAKE. YOUR. TIME. Plan out your business, and form a business that you are PASSIONATE about, that you have saved up and gathered venture capital enough to endure you through your first 3-5 years of business, and BE. PATIENT. Stop forming a business because you NEED money; because it TAKES money to MAKE money, and if you’re in NEED of money, you won’t be inclined to SPEND the necessary money to keep your business thriving (read:
Quality Products, Presentation, and ADVERTISING).
2. Increase the QUALITY of goods & services you offer. Again, this goes back to taking pride and doing something you are TRULY passionate about. IF you feel you’re doing it just for money, when you’re not getting it, you can become discouraged, which can lead to half-assing the job, etc.
3. CONSUMERS: When supporting the business, pay them for their work, and give them HONEST FEEDBACK. This will help them to better grow, tailor, & improve the quality of what they are offering, and assist in their longevity as well.
4. Lastly, SPEND THE MONEY. Stop looking for hook-ups, discounts, etc. You owe them more than they owe you. They will not be able to afford to stay in business if enough revenue is not coming in. PERIOD. END OF STORY. Quit telling everyone about how much you co-sign ‘your man’s & them’s business. Put your money where your MOUTH is. If you can make it rain in the club, cop rims & gold grillz, why can’t you pay full price for your clothes, shoes, food, house work, auto repairs, etc.? And help keep the doors of their business open?
Pardon my ranting; it’s just that if we won’t endorse and invest in OUR local businesses, why would anybody else? It’s time to take pride in what we have, and teach our business owners how to pace themselves for the long haul and help them stick around.
It takes an entire village to raise a child. And our businesses are currently neglected, lost children. What will you do to help show them the way and help them ensure their future?
You should.
Think about it: Some cultures, in some areas, always seem to be thriving, almost recession proof (although nothing is TRULY recession proof, but still). They always seem to frequent the same haunts, shop the same grocery & corner marts, and staunchly, proudly represent and advocate these places, and the people that own these businesses.
People that look like, THEM.
They can relate to them, share stories with, and, in most cases, are family, extended family, or friends of the family.
Hmmm.
Italians, Latinos, Africans, West Indian & Caribbean, Lebanese, Irish, Jewish, the list could go on & on. And all these and more nationalities don’t always have a published directory for their services; it’s 100% WORD. OF. MOUTH.
Hmmm.
Unfortunately, there are still several demographics that continually have a hard time supporting businesses run by their own kind. And unfortunately, African Americans are amongst the lion share of this area.
But why? Why is it hard for us to support black-owned businesses, plays, record shops, food spots, etc. ?
Hmmm.
Commonly, too often are we looking for a ‘hook-up’ or some form of ‘discount’, and to be ‘cool’ with the customers, black business owners will cut the deals so that they are always seen as ‘cool’ and ‘showin love’.
But ‘showin love’ doesn’t pay rent. Or light bills. Or business expenses.
Then those same people that waned the ‘hook up’ wonder why the place of their ‘hook ups’ is closing.
Because we DON’T. SUPPORT.
FINANCIALLY.
Yeah, it’s cool to say ‘that’s the cool spot, my guy owns that place’. But that’s not SUPPORTING it, by simply endorsing it as a ‘cool spot’. It takes MONEY to run a business. So if anything, if that’s ‘your man’s & them’, you should be the FIRST one in line to make a FULL PURCHASE. AND bring others and encourage them to do the same.
But on the flip side, more often than not the business owner’s themselves are only in it for a ‘quick buck’, not looking for longevity, and the quality of what is offered is rushed and lacking. Which perpetuates the stigma of ‘black businesses’ being ‘bootleg’, ‘second rate’, or, more bluntly, ‘half assed’.
So how do we fix this? Simply? (in my opinion, anyways) I offer the following:
1. Black business owners: TAKE. YOUR. TIME. Plan out your business, and form a business that you are PASSIONATE about, that you have saved up and gathered venture capital enough to endure you through your first 3-5 years of business, and BE. PATIENT. Stop forming a business because you NEED money; because it TAKES money to MAKE money, and if you’re in NEED of money, you won’t be inclined to SPEND the necessary money to keep your business thriving (read:
Quality Products, Presentation, and ADVERTISING).
2. Increase the QUALITY of goods & services you offer. Again, this goes back to taking pride and doing something you are TRULY passionate about. IF you feel you’re doing it just for money, when you’re not getting it, you can become discouraged, which can lead to half-assing the job, etc.
3. CONSUMERS: When supporting the business, pay them for their work, and give them HONEST FEEDBACK. This will help them to better grow, tailor, & improve the quality of what they are offering, and assist in their longevity as well.
4. Lastly, SPEND THE MONEY. Stop looking for hook-ups, discounts, etc. You owe them more than they owe you. They will not be able to afford to stay in business if enough revenue is not coming in. PERIOD. END OF STORY. Quit telling everyone about how much you co-sign ‘your man’s & them’s business. Put your money where your MOUTH is. If you can make it rain in the club, cop rims & gold grillz, why can’t you pay full price for your clothes, shoes, food, house work, auto repairs, etc.? And help keep the doors of their business open?
Pardon my ranting; it’s just that if we won’t endorse and invest in OUR local businesses, why would anybody else? It’s time to take pride in what we have, and teach our business owners how to pace themselves for the long haul and help them stick around.
It takes an entire village to raise a child. And our businesses are currently neglected, lost children. What will you do to help show them the way and help them ensure their future?
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Calling all Speed Freaks...
Ok, so those that know me know:
I’m a DRIVER.
Like, lead-foot, more-tickets-than-is-humanly-possible-to-have-for-speeding-and-not-be-locked-up, Driver.
And I wouldn’t change it for the world.
I’ve always been a car geek, especially when it comes car design, performance, and upgrades. I lust over body kits, spaz out at auto shows, always looking for the elite, unique, and extraordinary.
And now, I’ve found a program for people just. Like. ME.
It’s called ‘SuperCars Exposed’, on SPEED tv (check your local cable listings for availability and channel).
Hosted by Tanner Faust, an X-Games Rally gold medalist, championship 2007 Formula Drift series driver, and previous host of ESPN’s Import Tuners & SPEED’s Redline TV, this kid gets to tool around in whips that range from super exclusive and cutting edge to just plain, dumb, FAST. From Lamborghini’s to Koenigsegg’s, Aston Martin’s to GTR’s, Corvettes to McClaren’s, Bugaatti’s to Alfa Romeo’s, this show is definitely a car geek’s Playboy.
And it’s high on my list of new stuff I officially co-sign for.
Check it out, and see for yourself: SuperCars Exposed
I’m a DRIVER.
Like, lead-foot, more-tickets-than-is-humanly-possible-to-have-for-speeding-and-not-be-locked-up, Driver.
And I wouldn’t change it for the world.
I’ve always been a car geek, especially when it comes car design, performance, and upgrades. I lust over body kits, spaz out at auto shows, always looking for the elite, unique, and extraordinary.
And now, I’ve found a program for people just. Like. ME.
It’s called ‘SuperCars Exposed’, on SPEED tv (check your local cable listings for availability and channel).
Hosted by Tanner Faust, an X-Games Rally gold medalist, championship 2007 Formula Drift series driver, and previous host of ESPN’s Import Tuners & SPEED’s Redline TV, this kid gets to tool around in whips that range from super exclusive and cutting edge to just plain, dumb, FAST. From Lamborghini’s to Koenigsegg’s, Aston Martin’s to GTR’s, Corvettes to McClaren’s, Bugaatti’s to Alfa Romeo’s, this show is definitely a car geek’s Playboy.
And it’s high on my list of new stuff I officially co-sign for.
Check it out, and see for yourself: SuperCars Exposed
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
'...and always let your conscience be your guide...'
Anybody remember Pinocchio?
Remember his ‘conscience’ was a lil green bug named Jiminy Cricket?
Well, I do.
Thing is, I’m real. But my Jiminy Cricket is the Incredible Hulk.
Allow me to explain.
I’ve come to realize that I tend to be wayyyy harder on myself than anyone else ever could or would be. If I’ve ever done anything wrong (which has been PLENTY), I beat myself up sooo bad about it, I damn near inhibit and punish myself from even enjoying the basic things in life.
Like, I don’t deserve to.
I feel bad when I do things for myself, because I feel it’s being ’selfish’. And I hate selfish people. So I go above and beyond to look out for everyone else, but find it extremely difficult to accept when people try doing things for me, genuinely and sincerely.
Quite the paradox.
But I’m learning. I’m growing. Had a talk with my man Gutta today, and he basically sonned me on the point to the extent that, well… I couldn’t even argue his premise.
Imagine that. Having to be chastised for not allowing myself to actually LIVE my life and ENJOY the blessings bestowed upon me.
Hmm.
They say God works in mysterious, indirect, albeit random, ways. And I’d have to agree. But he reaches out to us in this fashion because it allows us to be caught off guard, and better able to receive whatever He is trying to tell our hard-headed selves. And I have to bear in mind: I’m a genuinely good dude. At least, I strive to be. I mean, we all fall a lil short from time to time, but my intentions are good, even if the outcome sucks. But I had to be reminded and humbled today that the good that I put out truly DOES come back, in ways and routes never expected.
So I shouldn’t question the blessing; just accept it, thank Him for it, and ENJOY it.
I’m working on it.
Now, learn from my mistakes and start enjoying and appreciating your blessings, and quit questioning what God gives you.
Because, trust, I know: like a child, if it seems we’re unappreciative… the Lord giveth, and he definitely WILL taketh away.
*note to self*
Have a Blessed one y’all.
Audio: Check out ’the Healing Book’ from ’the FIXtape’. Free download HERE: http://www.zshare.net/download/537741691b123d17/
Remember his ‘conscience’ was a lil green bug named Jiminy Cricket?
Well, I do.
Thing is, I’m real. But my Jiminy Cricket is the Incredible Hulk.
Allow me to explain.
I’ve come to realize that I tend to be wayyyy harder on myself than anyone else ever could or would be. If I’ve ever done anything wrong (which has been PLENTY), I beat myself up sooo bad about it, I damn near inhibit and punish myself from even enjoying the basic things in life.
Like, I don’t deserve to.
I feel bad when I do things for myself, because I feel it’s being ’selfish’. And I hate selfish people. So I go above and beyond to look out for everyone else, but find it extremely difficult to accept when people try doing things for me, genuinely and sincerely.
Quite the paradox.
But I’m learning. I’m growing. Had a talk with my man Gutta today, and he basically sonned me on the point to the extent that, well… I couldn’t even argue his premise.
Imagine that. Having to be chastised for not allowing myself to actually LIVE my life and ENJOY the blessings bestowed upon me.
Hmm.
They say God works in mysterious, indirect, albeit random, ways. And I’d have to agree. But he reaches out to us in this fashion because it allows us to be caught off guard, and better able to receive whatever He is trying to tell our hard-headed selves. And I have to bear in mind: I’m a genuinely good dude. At least, I strive to be. I mean, we all fall a lil short from time to time, but my intentions are good, even if the outcome sucks. But I had to be reminded and humbled today that the good that I put out truly DOES come back, in ways and routes never expected.
So I shouldn’t question the blessing; just accept it, thank Him for it, and ENJOY it.
I’m working on it.
Now, learn from my mistakes and start enjoying and appreciating your blessings, and quit questioning what God gives you.
Because, trust, I know: like a child, if it seems we’re unappreciative… the Lord giveth, and he definitely WILL taketh away.
*note to self*
Have a Blessed one y’all.
Audio: Check out ’the Healing Book’ from ’the FIXtape’. Free download HERE: http://www.zshare.net/download/537741691b123d17/
Monday, February 9, 2009
Respect the Architects (?)
*the following contains commentary of a scorned, explicit, scathing manner. Those with guilty consciences are invited to read, then either do something about it, or promptly delete their life from the world’s play list. Thank you.*
So.
What happened?
What happened to the days when you actually had to be NICE to even get on at a street corner cypher, let alone a STAGE?
What happened to when Hip Hop was like a fraternity, a sacred order even; new jacks were subject to challenge and question at any given moment, and your rep was only as strong as your knowledge of the culture FIRST, THEN your talent?
What, in the F^@#, HAPPENED?
I don’t understand. How did we get to such a LOW? How did our culture become so… diluted? Our image so… tarnished? Our integrity, so… scant?
Was it greed? Definitely. Reaganaomics? Absolutely. Bushshit? No doubt.
But socioeconomic factors are ever present, even during the Golden Era, jerk wads. So try shifting the blame all you want, you know who the culprit is.
Is it the fans that continue to support nonsense? Of course. Is it any one artists fault? Like, say, Soulja Boy? Sure. (If it makes you feel better about yourself.) Is it DJ’s not taking a stand against playing bull? No doubt.
But you’re still deflecting, still hiding, still running from the cold, hard truth.
HIP HOP
IS
DYING.
And it’s ALL. YOUR. FAULT.
You, the Hip Hop ‘purist’. Who wont let Hip Hop continue to GROW and BLOSSOM, but would rater keep it dirtball, grimey, ‘real’. But you yourself ain’t dirtball & grimey no more. You moved on up. To the East Side. To a De-Luxe new life with your head in the damn sky. So why cant Hip Hop evolve as well? You detest what it’s become, yet when is the last time you went BACK to the neighborhood to catch a TRUE Hip Hop show of underground talent? When’s the last time you actually BOUGHT an independent, local artist’s cd, FULL PRICE, without haggling or bs’n him, and circulated it and made sure everyone you knew got ‘put up on’ this new, amazing raw talent? Where’s you’re INVESTMENT BACK into Hip Hop, you selfish bastard?
You, the Hip Hop journalist. I’m not even going to go there. But you know where & why you’re bogus. What are YOU doing to reinvest into the culture you ‘love’? When will your passion again replace your cash-in? Call it what you want; you know I’m right. Write about THAT. Hold cats accountable. Starting with your REFLECTION.
You, the Hip Hop mogul. Only mogul’s I’ve seen that seem to still give a sh!t about Hip Hop’s integrity and these young cats doin the knowledge is Russell, with all of his initiatives, and Diddy, who SONNED the first Making the Band cast for not knowin ‘Juicy’, and forced them to DO. THE. KNOWLEDGE. Yeah, I’m sure the rest of you ‘claim’ to be doin stuff (exclusion: RZA’s been telling cats to do the knowledge for years thru the Wu, but he’s on a WHOLE other plane. Y’all can’t even fly in his airspace), but is it REACHING this new generation?
But most importantly, it is YOU, the ARCHITECTS. YOU are the ones held most responsible. Because when a school fails, they don’t blame the students; they blame the TEACHERS. The ADMINISTRATORS. And if the teachers aint TEACHING, then what in the world do you EXPECT to happen? OF COURSE they’re not gonna know to do the knowledge. This new generation hasn’t been taught about ’Each One, Teach One’, a founding tenet of ANY societal development, because they were born of the era of ‘I gotta get mine, you gotta get yours’. KRS, where are you? Afrika Bambaataa , where are you? Zulu Nation, members, where are you? WHERE ARE ALL THE TEACHER’S?
Corporate Exec’s, in Hip Hop, we are a Hip Hop NATION, and you are the governing bodies, Senate, House members, economists, and decision makers. And the Hip Hop dollar may be strong, but the Hip Hop Nation is ERODING. And just like America, the key is EDUCATION. Start putting some dollars behind giving a voice to those who ACTUALLY have something to SAY. Give them Credence, Relevancy, and assist in Influence. Make these ringtone cats do Hip Hop PSA’s w/ pieces of Hip Hop History nin them, y’know, like the old school ‘The More You Know’ or ‘GI Joe’ joints. DO SOMETHING. Because, just like the American economy, the Hip Hop economy is fading FAST. If we don’t reinvest into education and rebuilding the INTEGRITY of the Hip Hop Nation, you WILL. LOSE. MONEY. PERIOD. May not be today, or tomorrow, or next week, but it’s on the horizon.
So STEP. THE F@&#. UP.
Because if not, on some comic book stuff, we’re gonna enact a Hip Hop Registration Act, and these cats gon have to apply, be screened, pass tests, and be LICENSED to even PARTICIPATE or CONSIDER themselves a part of the Hip Hop Nation. Violators will have to forfeit all profits, proceeds, royalties, etc over to the Hip Hop Education Fund for Increasing Hip Hop Awareness & Integrity.
Think it’s a game if you want to.
Checkmate.
So.
What happened?
What happened to the days when you actually had to be NICE to even get on at a street corner cypher, let alone a STAGE?
What happened to when Hip Hop was like a fraternity, a sacred order even; new jacks were subject to challenge and question at any given moment, and your rep was only as strong as your knowledge of the culture FIRST, THEN your talent?
What, in the F^@#, HAPPENED?
I don’t understand. How did we get to such a LOW? How did our culture become so… diluted? Our image so… tarnished? Our integrity, so… scant?
Was it greed? Definitely. Reaganaomics? Absolutely. Bushshit? No doubt.
But socioeconomic factors are ever present, even during the Golden Era, jerk wads. So try shifting the blame all you want, you know who the culprit is.
Is it the fans that continue to support nonsense? Of course. Is it any one artists fault? Like, say, Soulja Boy? Sure. (If it makes you feel better about yourself.) Is it DJ’s not taking a stand against playing bull? No doubt.
But you’re still deflecting, still hiding, still running from the cold, hard truth.
HIP HOP
IS
DYING.
And it’s ALL. YOUR. FAULT.
You, the Hip Hop ‘purist’. Who wont let Hip Hop continue to GROW and BLOSSOM, but would rater keep it dirtball, grimey, ‘real’. But you yourself ain’t dirtball & grimey no more. You moved on up. To the East Side. To a De-Luxe new life with your head in the damn sky. So why cant Hip Hop evolve as well? You detest what it’s become, yet when is the last time you went BACK to the neighborhood to catch a TRUE Hip Hop show of underground talent? When’s the last time you actually BOUGHT an independent, local artist’s cd, FULL PRICE, without haggling or bs’n him, and circulated it and made sure everyone you knew got ‘put up on’ this new, amazing raw talent? Where’s you’re INVESTMENT BACK into Hip Hop, you selfish bastard?
You, the Hip Hop journalist. I’m not even going to go there. But you know where & why you’re bogus. What are YOU doing to reinvest into the culture you ‘love’? When will your passion again replace your cash-in? Call it what you want; you know I’m right. Write about THAT. Hold cats accountable. Starting with your REFLECTION.
You, the Hip Hop mogul. Only mogul’s I’ve seen that seem to still give a sh!t about Hip Hop’s integrity and these young cats doin the knowledge is Russell, with all of his initiatives, and Diddy, who SONNED the first Making the Band cast for not knowin ‘Juicy’, and forced them to DO. THE. KNOWLEDGE. Yeah, I’m sure the rest of you ‘claim’ to be doin stuff (exclusion: RZA’s been telling cats to do the knowledge for years thru the Wu, but he’s on a WHOLE other plane. Y’all can’t even fly in his airspace), but is it REACHING this new generation?
But most importantly, it is YOU, the ARCHITECTS. YOU are the ones held most responsible. Because when a school fails, they don’t blame the students; they blame the TEACHERS. The ADMINISTRATORS. And if the teachers aint TEACHING, then what in the world do you EXPECT to happen? OF COURSE they’re not gonna know to do the knowledge. This new generation hasn’t been taught about ’Each One, Teach One’, a founding tenet of ANY societal development, because they were born of the era of ‘I gotta get mine, you gotta get yours’. KRS, where are you? Afrika Bambaataa , where are you? Zulu Nation, members, where are you? WHERE ARE ALL THE TEACHER’S?
Corporate Exec’s, in Hip Hop, we are a Hip Hop NATION, and you are the governing bodies, Senate, House members, economists, and decision makers. And the Hip Hop dollar may be strong, but the Hip Hop Nation is ERODING. And just like America, the key is EDUCATION. Start putting some dollars behind giving a voice to those who ACTUALLY have something to SAY. Give them Credence, Relevancy, and assist in Influence. Make these ringtone cats do Hip Hop PSA’s w/ pieces of Hip Hop History nin them, y’know, like the old school ‘The More You Know’ or ‘GI Joe’ joints. DO SOMETHING. Because, just like the American economy, the Hip Hop economy is fading FAST. If we don’t reinvest into education and rebuilding the INTEGRITY of the Hip Hop Nation, you WILL. LOSE. MONEY. PERIOD. May not be today, or tomorrow, or next week, but it’s on the horizon.
So STEP. THE F@&#. UP.
Because if not, on some comic book stuff, we’re gonna enact a Hip Hop Registration Act, and these cats gon have to apply, be screened, pass tests, and be LICENSED to even PARTICIPATE or CONSIDER themselves a part of the Hip Hop Nation. Violators will have to forfeit all profits, proceeds, royalties, etc over to the Hip Hop Education Fund for Increasing Hip Hop Awareness & Integrity.
Think it’s a game if you want to.
Checkmate.
Back... for the first time. Again. *Grammy Edition*
OK! So, let’s try this again.
*stretches arms forward & cracks knuckles*
What up.
*head lift*
I figured I’d make this go round a bit more personal, so look forward to, um… ‘frequent’ (can’t say ‘daily’ or ‘weekly’, in the event I get behind lol) personal rants on things current event related, relevant (or not), but overall just, well…
Random.
And we begin with…
The Grammy’s. (but of course).
As an avid fan of music and a tireless devotee of all aspects of my craft & career, my entire life SHUTS. DOWN. Grammy night. And yes, I pour over every available detail: from the red carpet faux pas to the on stage hits & misses, carefully studying the consistencies year to year on what works, what to stay away from, effective interview techniques & sidestepping, performance presentation, and, of course, the winners.
Now, last year’s Grammy’s was, by far, the most extravagant, respectable, dignified & all around DOPE awards show I’ve seen in my lifetime. It was full of moments rivaled only by MJ’s infamous Motown 25 performance (which Chris Brown subsequently KILLED in emulation at the VMA’s in recent memory; hope that kid ain’t guilty of the current speculations. Prayers.). Which was appropriate, seeing as how it was the 50th Grammy program, and I believe they effectively passed the torch from the old guard to new, and showed current artists paying homage and RESPECTING the ARCHITECTS (blog on that topic, specific to Hip Hop, later) of each genre. (btw, big ups to whoever is behind the creation of the VH1 Hip Hop Honors. Genius.)
This year’s Grammy’s, well… I’ll admit, left a bit to be desired.
I mean, yeah, it was great seeing Bono go all out on stage as U2 opened the show and embodied the concepts of staying power, timeless music & longevity. And it was cute to see Taylor Swift (who is an incredible songwriter. Sheesh.) rock the acoustic thing w/ bff Miley Cyrus (the validity to how good friends they are is yet to be determined). But by far the most emotional moments were seeing Jennifer Hudson win the first (televised) Grammy of the evening, presented by Whitney Houston (boy, she struggled, but made it thru. Good job girl.), and her later, near-tearful and powerful performance. (Given the year she’s had, she deserved it and earned it thru her perseverance, in my opinion.).
My PERSONAL favorite performance of the evening, hands down, was the return of Radiohead. Backed by the USC marching band, they delivered a such a rousing performance that should have turned anyone who was not a fan, or never been familiar, into a die hard RadioHEAD. Seriously. Coldplay turned in a SOLID performance, starting with a lone Chris Martin at his piano for another acoustic moment, performing ‘Lost’, complete w/ Hov on the walk-up cameo (does anbody else remember him spillin those bars on radio, like almost a year and a half ago? *pondering…*), then transitioning into a quite moving showcase of ‘Viva La Vida’. Dopeness. JT & TI did OK too. *lol sorry, couldn’t help myself.*
Other high points for me included the sure-to-be-burning-up-the-blogs live performance of ‘Swagger Like Us’ (which, while it was incredible seeing some of Hip Hop’s elite play nice together, it still left me wanting for… well, more.) The theme was novel (not the ‘Rat Pack‘, the ‘Rap Pack‘ *who writes this stuff?*), but mildly predictable; the Lil Wayne New Tie My Hands-turned-New Orleans Celebration performance (he looked like he was so at home and proud of it. Kudos, Dwayne.), and seeing Stevie get it in w/ the Jonas Brothers, while setting a record for number of performances on the Grammy stage. (side note: this was also one of the more train-wreck-ish moments as well. *Screeeech*).
And what train wrecks there were. Aside form the afore-mentioned pairing, the Al Green-Justin Timberlake-Boyz II Men piece was, well, what it was: a rushed fill in for what was supposed to be the kid Chris Brown & Rhianna (still all speculative on the kid; let’s give him the benefit of the doubt and await the facts). The saving grace of the evenings pairing’s was the all-star, all-school ‘I’ll Be There’ Four Tops tribute with Neyo, Smokey, Jamie Foxx & Duke Fakir. They even cut a few steps together. Classic.
The definite low point of the night was the mic’s. YEESH, that was irking the CRAP outta me, For any true, seasoned performer, bad mic’s are like nails on a chalkboard; you hate to hear it. You mean to tell me all the money Kobe’s bringin in that franchise out there that the Staples Center AND the Grammy Committee couldn’t afford a better sound team (?) C’mon now….
Overall tho, it was an entertaining night to say the least (and M.I.A. was DUE to drop, like, THAT DAY, and was STILL getting it in onstage. Performers, man… we’re crazy lol). I only hope they take note, plan better, and pay for better sound techs next year. Cuz they better get it right before I get there. Word.
Laugh all you want. I’ll be sure wave to you from the red carpet.
*for more history, video, and info on the Grammy’s, be sure to EXHAUSTIVELY visit the Grammy website, www.Grammy.com , and do the knowledge. Crumbs. *Slick Rick accent* lol *
*stretches arms forward & cracks knuckles*
What up.
*head lift*
I figured I’d make this go round a bit more personal, so look forward to, um… ‘frequent’ (can’t say ‘daily’ or ‘weekly’, in the event I get behind lol) personal rants on things current event related, relevant (or not), but overall just, well…
Random.
And we begin with…
The Grammy’s. (but of course).
As an avid fan of music and a tireless devotee of all aspects of my craft & career, my entire life SHUTS. DOWN. Grammy night. And yes, I pour over every available detail: from the red carpet faux pas to the on stage hits & misses, carefully studying the consistencies year to year on what works, what to stay away from, effective interview techniques & sidestepping, performance presentation, and, of course, the winners.
Now, last year’s Grammy’s was, by far, the most extravagant, respectable, dignified & all around DOPE awards show I’ve seen in my lifetime. It was full of moments rivaled only by MJ’s infamous Motown 25 performance (which Chris Brown subsequently KILLED in emulation at the VMA’s in recent memory; hope that kid ain’t guilty of the current speculations. Prayers.). Which was appropriate, seeing as how it was the 50th Grammy program, and I believe they effectively passed the torch from the old guard to new, and showed current artists paying homage and RESPECTING the ARCHITECTS (blog on that topic, specific to Hip Hop, later) of each genre. (btw, big ups to whoever is behind the creation of the VH1 Hip Hop Honors. Genius.)
This year’s Grammy’s, well… I’ll admit, left a bit to be desired.
I mean, yeah, it was great seeing Bono go all out on stage as U2 opened the show and embodied the concepts of staying power, timeless music & longevity. And it was cute to see Taylor Swift (who is an incredible songwriter. Sheesh.) rock the acoustic thing w/ bff Miley Cyrus (the validity to how good friends they are is yet to be determined). But by far the most emotional moments were seeing Jennifer Hudson win the first (televised) Grammy of the evening, presented by Whitney Houston (boy, she struggled, but made it thru. Good job girl.), and her later, near-tearful and powerful performance. (Given the year she’s had, she deserved it and earned it thru her perseverance, in my opinion.).
My PERSONAL favorite performance of the evening, hands down, was the return of Radiohead. Backed by the USC marching band, they delivered a such a rousing performance that should have turned anyone who was not a fan, or never been familiar, into a die hard RadioHEAD. Seriously. Coldplay turned in a SOLID performance, starting with a lone Chris Martin at his piano for another acoustic moment, performing ‘Lost’, complete w/ Hov on the walk-up cameo (does anbody else remember him spillin those bars on radio, like almost a year and a half ago? *pondering…*), then transitioning into a quite moving showcase of ‘Viva La Vida’. Dopeness. JT & TI did OK too. *lol sorry, couldn’t help myself.*
Other high points for me included the sure-to-be-burning-up-the-blogs live performance of ‘Swagger Like Us’ (which, while it was incredible seeing some of Hip Hop’s elite play nice together, it still left me wanting for… well, more.) The theme was novel (not the ‘Rat Pack‘, the ‘Rap Pack‘ *who writes this stuff?*), but mildly predictable; the Lil Wayne New Tie My Hands-turned-New Orleans Celebration performance (he looked like he was so at home and proud of it. Kudos, Dwayne.), and seeing Stevie get it in w/ the Jonas Brothers, while setting a record for number of performances on the Grammy stage. (side note: this was also one of the more train-wreck-ish moments as well. *Screeeech*).
And what train wrecks there were. Aside form the afore-mentioned pairing, the Al Green-Justin Timberlake-Boyz II Men piece was, well, what it was: a rushed fill in for what was supposed to be the kid Chris Brown & Rhianna (still all speculative on the kid; let’s give him the benefit of the doubt and await the facts). The saving grace of the evenings pairing’s was the all-star, all-school ‘I’ll Be There’ Four Tops tribute with Neyo, Smokey, Jamie Foxx & Duke Fakir. They even cut a few steps together. Classic.
The definite low point of the night was the mic’s. YEESH, that was irking the CRAP outta me, For any true, seasoned performer, bad mic’s are like nails on a chalkboard; you hate to hear it. You mean to tell me all the money Kobe’s bringin in that franchise out there that the Staples Center AND the Grammy Committee couldn’t afford a better sound team (?) C’mon now….
Overall tho, it was an entertaining night to say the least (and M.I.A. was DUE to drop, like, THAT DAY, and was STILL getting it in onstage. Performers, man… we’re crazy lol). I only hope they take note, plan better, and pay for better sound techs next year. Cuz they better get it right before I get there. Word.
Laugh all you want. I’ll be sure wave to you from the red carpet.
*for more history, video, and info on the Grammy’s, be sure to EXHAUSTIVELY visit the Grammy website, www.Grammy.com , and do the knowledge. Crumbs. *Slick Rick accent* lol *
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Obama, '08 (Do the Knowledge) (lyrics)
'Obama, '08 (Do the Knowledge)'
Artist site: ReverbNation.com/alphaisforever
Written by: J. Wright
Produced by: J. Brookinz
Performed by: alpha.
Lyrics:
(Aight; Let's do the knowledge)
8/4, 61, Barack Obama
Was born out in H-A-W-A-I I
Moved, to Jakarta at the age of 6
(Then) back for fifth until he graduated then,
He,
Left the island, to study in LA
For a couple of years, till Columbia U said
Hey, you could transfer and finish from here
So he finished his BA in NY and the year was
83, (so) before he started off his career
He worked a couple of gigs in the city until
85, when he got an offer out in the Chi,
to help assist the community and or a ga nize
Uh
He entered in, to Harvard Law, at 88
And while I'm here on the subject, let me set it straight
What he did wasn't easy to do,
(bein) the first black prez of the Law Review
(Then he)
Graduated w/ his justice degree,
magna cum laude 2 years (from) 93
(Then it was), back to the Chi, voter registration drive
And to publish, Dreams from my Father in 95
Uh
(Put in) work as, associate attorney, and taught law, part time while along his journey;
Despite his hard work, accusations would fall to him,
But, never implicated of wrongdoin
And, in July, the summer of 95, to rep for the south side and hyde parks existence
He embarked on a campaign, fought and then gained control Chicago's 13th District
Which included legislation pertainin interrogations of murders to be fully recorded
And monitor in place, for cops about race,
in hopes
profilin could be avioded
re elected to Ill Senate in 88;
again in 02, but took a L in double 0
Which was a house of, reps race, to which he lost out, in a margin of two of theirs to one of yours
But in 03, became the chair for the Illinois, Senate's Health, and Human ser-vi-ces
committee,
-where democrats, after bein a decade, of the mi-norty ,were now majority
He enacted a little heat, on subjects we rarely speak, and whether he voted, and really meant it
But he kept his composure,
right up until 04,
and he was elected to
US, Senate
(This was a)
Quite, significant victory, in a city, a state, and a country, in love with imagery
(His 70% of the vote) was the largest electoral victory in all of Illinois history
Not to mention deliverin to the DNC, (the) keynote address, which launched him into high sights
To him gettin sworn in, on 1/4 of 05, is just another notch on his highlights
And this made him the fifth afro american senator, and the third one popularly elected
And the fact he's the ONLY Congressional Black Caucus Senator member should really not be neglected
A loyal democrat, supporter of many acts, spannin from 05-07, is evident
(And)
the second month, of 07, before the old state cap, in springfield, he bid, for president
And the rest, as they say, is history,
So, whether or not, its a wide, or close race
Consider this, my audio cliff notes
You should get to know who you're votin for
in 08
Artist site: ReverbNation.com/alphaisforever
Written by: J. Wright
Produced by: J. Brookinz
Performed by: alpha.
Lyrics:
(Aight; Let's do the knowledge)
8/4, 61, Barack Obama
Was born out in H-A-W-A-I I
Moved, to Jakarta at the age of 6
(Then) back for fifth until he graduated then,
He,
Left the island, to study in LA
For a couple of years, till Columbia U said
Hey, you could transfer and finish from here
So he finished his BA in NY and the year was
83, (so) before he started off his career
He worked a couple of gigs in the city until
85, when he got an offer out in the Chi,
to help assist the community and or a ga nize
Uh
He entered in, to Harvard Law, at 88
And while I'm here on the subject, let me set it straight
What he did wasn't easy to do,
(bein) the first black prez of the Law Review
(Then he)
Graduated w/ his justice degree,
magna cum laude 2 years (from) 93
(Then it was), back to the Chi, voter registration drive
And to publish, Dreams from my Father in 95
Uh
(Put in) work as, associate attorney, and taught law, part time while along his journey;
Despite his hard work, accusations would fall to him,
But, never implicated of wrongdoin
And, in July, the summer of 95, to rep for the south side and hyde parks existence
He embarked on a campaign, fought and then gained control Chicago's 13th District
Which included legislation pertainin interrogations of murders to be fully recorded
And monitor in place, for cops about race,
in hopes
profilin could be avioded
re elected to Ill Senate in 88;
again in 02, but took a L in double 0
Which was a house of, reps race, to which he lost out, in a margin of two of theirs to one of yours
But in 03, became the chair for the Illinois, Senate's Health, and Human ser-vi-ces
committee,
-where democrats, after bein a decade, of the mi-norty ,were now majority
He enacted a little heat, on subjects we rarely speak, and whether he voted, and really meant it
But he kept his composure,
right up until 04,
and he was elected to
US, Senate
(This was a)
Quite, significant victory, in a city, a state, and a country, in love with imagery
(His 70% of the vote) was the largest electoral victory in all of Illinois history
Not to mention deliverin to the DNC, (the) keynote address, which launched him into high sights
To him gettin sworn in, on 1/4 of 05, is just another notch on his highlights
And this made him the fifth afro american senator, and the third one popularly elected
And the fact he's the ONLY Congressional Black Caucus Senator member should really not be neglected
A loyal democrat, supporter of many acts, spannin from 05-07, is evident
(And)
the second month, of 07, before the old state cap, in springfield, he bid, for president
And the rest, as they say, is history,
So, whether or not, its a wide, or close race
Consider this, my audio cliff notes
You should get to know who you're votin for
in 08
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