the light.

Day Twenty-Two: small velour box, pink ribbon tied

2011-04-08T00:17:00.000-04:00

Awwwww :)

Day Twenty-One: exactly which Michael Jackson are we talking about anyway?

2011-04-06T19:07:00.000-04:00

Remembered this video yesterday thanks to a friend! Definitely in my top 10 favorites. This is literally EPIC! <3 And Olivia Newton-John + John Travolta is such a cute idea!

In Order of Appearance:
Beverly Johnson, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Sherman Hemsley, Brigitte Niealsen, Paula Abdul, carl Weathers, Whoopi Goldberg, Quincy Jones, Jackie Collins, Amy Irving, Jasmine Guy, Rosanna Arquette, Billy Dee Williams, Lou Diamond Phillips, Olivia Newton-John, John Travolta, Corey Feldman, Steven Spielberg, Debbie Gibson, Rick Schroeder, Blair Underwood, Weird Al Yankovic, Suzanne Somers, Lou Ferrigno, Don King, Mayim Bialik, Virginia Madsen, David Copperfield, Richard Dreyfuss, Danny Glover, Olivia Hussey, Dan Aykroyd, Steve Guttenberg

Day Twenty: girlfriends & the game

2011-04-05T23:54:00.000-04:00

First two parts of the backdoor pilot for The Game! (Quality gets better in the second video, I promise).
Sure glad they got a dude to play Derwin... I can't imagine it without Pooch Hall.

Day Nineteen: you're the air I breathe on a hot summer day

2011-04-04T16:07:00.000-04:00

Day Eighteen: we didn't eat our vegetables... stunted our growth

2011-04-04T16:05:00.000-04:00

Exactly what I thought 6th grade girls were like when I was in 4th grade. It's crazy how that works. Just wait till I'm grown.... Shoot, I feel it now! When I was younger, I imagined people my age were in a muuuuch different place, doing waaay different things...

Time freakin' flies!!!!!!

Day Seventeen: rock and roll & roll and rock

2011-04-04T15:59:00.001-04:00

The original:

The remake:

Does Bobby V do it justice???

Day Sixteen: how I feel sometimes..

2011-04-04T15:55:00.001-04:00

Day Fifteen: you will never have my rhymes

2011-04-01T17:34:00.000-04:00

Dedicate to this blog. LOL! Slightly kidding... but I'm trying to take this transition thing more seriously. So far, I most certainly have NOT. The most I've done is list cool names in my journal. Time to step my cookies up...

It's really over, you made your stand
You got me crying, as was your plan
But when my loneliness is through, I'm gonna find another you

You take your sweaters
You take your time
You might have your reasons but you will never have my rhymes
I'm gonna sing my way away from blue
I'm gonna find another you

When I was your lover
No one else would do
If I'm forced to find another, I hope she looks like you
Yeah and she's nicer too

So go on baby
Make your little get away
My pride will keep me company
And you just gave yours all away
Now I'm gonna dress myself for two
Once for me and once for someone new
I'm gonna do somethings you wouldn't let me do
Oh I'm gonna find another you

Day Fourteen: I like the groove of your walk, your talk, your dress

2011-03-30T22:02:00.000-04:00

Definitely in my top 20 favorite videos. Michael Jackson probably makes the most appearances on the list! What videos do you like? Please share!

Day Thirteen: and why should I have to miss out on the next R. Kelly album JUST for THAT?!

2011-03-30T21:56:00.000-04:00

Day Twelve: destiny... or fate?

2011-03-28T21:56:00.001-04:00

I searched "destiny" on Flickr, and this was the first image to come up.

Day Eleven: big night for us, gentlemen...

2011-03-28T21:47:00.000-04:00

Richardson: You look exhausted. You should take a vacation when all this is finished. You've earned it.

Harry Mitchell: I'm not sure the kind of tired I am can be fixed by a vacation.

Day Ten: cupid has done it again

2011-03-27T21:05:00.000-04:00

Why am I still a day behind????!!!

Day Nine: the crush

2011-03-26T15:43:00.000-04:00

(Makeup for missing yesterday)

This was more or less my experience... I was just minding my own business, about to pummel some kid, when all of a sudden the sun hit him just right and the wind blew his hair back and I had to put my fist down. My stomach twisted up & my heart kinda skipped a beat.... and suddenly... I HAD A CRUSH!!

I'm just kidding, that never happened to me.. But I did have some good crushes back in my day :)

Day Eight: if I could trade my fame and all my jewelry

2011-03-24T23:27:00.000-04:00

What I see/feel when I listen to this song:

It's 1997, I'm sitting at home in the afternoon, watching The Preacher's Wife on TV... and my mom is cooking Sunday dinner. I hear the popping of grease and smell something I know I'm going to like. And I'm (im)patiently waiting for the sweet tea to cool down...

I'm young, so of course there's no real homework to do. I'm free to enjoy -- and hold tightly onto -- the last few hours of the weekend.

Relaxation.

Shout out to Samantha :)

Day Seven: it's never safe for us, not even in the evening..

2011-03-23T23:11:00.000-04:00

Day Six: my dignity's come undone

2011-03-22T23:55:00.000-04:00

Omg, almost missed my time!

This is a rough week, so each post is going to be pretty short (and ugly).

The point of today: so much great music being made lately! I've gotten so much beautiful new stuff from friends throughout this whole month and I'm so grateful for it/them! Some of this I would've never heard if it weren't for them. So this is for y'all :)

Day Five: I wish that I could be what I want to, I wish that I could do what I don't do....

2011-03-21T23:23:00.000-04:00

"It was my misfortune -- or salvation -- to be at all times perfectly conscious of my misperceptions of reality." - Susanna Kaysen

(Big Sean & Mike Posner w/ "Who Knows")

Day Four: think I've got some dip on the side...

2011-03-21T14:19:00.000-04:00

This is really for yesterday:

Day Three: messing me up, my whole head. teasing me, just like Tisha, did Martin...

2011-03-19T22:49:00.000-04:00

Last night I was excited to go to a 90s party. I got dressed up - backwards cap, hoop earrings, cartoon tshirt, bright sneakers. Needless to say, I was hype.

But then I got there.... and there was no 90s music. What is that?! Was it too much to expect music... from that decade?

Whatever. Here's a 90s playlist to make up for what I missed last night.
And this is just a tiny SNIPPET of the wealth of good music that is available from that time. Like... only a molecule.

Dress up, dance in your mirror, and enjoy!!!!

1. I'll Be - Foxy Brown feat. Jay-Z (video)
2. Ain't No N**** - Jay-z feat. Foxy Brown (video)
3. Crush On You - Lil' Kim feat. Notorious BIG & Lil' Cease (video)
4. Back in the Day - Ahmad (audio)
5. Find A Way - A Tribe Called Quest (video)
6. Changes - 2Pac (video)
7. Ms. Fat Booty - Mos Def (video)
8. Quiet Storm (Remix) - Mobb Deep feat. Lil' Kim (video)
9. Got Your Money - ODB feat. Kelis (video)
10. You Got Me - The Roots feat. Erykah Badu & Eve (video)
11. What's It Gonna Be?! - Busta Rhymes feat. Janet Jackson (video)
12. Ghetto Superstar - Pras feat. ODB & Mya (video)
13. The Most Beautifullest Thing In The World - Keith Murray (video)

Day Two: will they ever be around or will they turn their backs on you?

2011-03-18T15:30:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday!!!!!

Not much to say... but I wanna have a TV sitcom group of friends when I get older. Girlfriends, How I Met Your Mother, Friends... good stuff like that :)

(Granted, Girlfriends is sometimes trife... and so are other TV shows. But the dynamic is what I'm feelin.)

Day One: she's the color of the sun, the petals of a daisy

2011-03-17T01:30:00.000-04:00

As I consider transitioning this into a more personal blog & creating a new public/structured one, I want to try to make myself post something every day for 30 days. Think I can do it?!

I'm gonna keep it pretty open ended - a quote, a song, a story, a question, a list, etc. Anything goes. If you blog, I vote you do it with me! 30 days starts..... NOW!

Today feels like a quote day.

"The price of being a sheep is boredom. The price of being a wolf is loneliness... Choose one with great care."

"I can promise you milk and cookies, but if the oven's broke, you'll just have milk!"
- Kid in the documentary version of Freakonomics

"Distance is nothing, really..."
- A friend

"Was everybody seeing this stuff and acting as though they weren't? Was insanity just a matter of dropping the act?'
- Susanna Kaysen in Girl, Interrupted

"If I wanna get high blood pressure than dammit that's my business!"
- Protester, The Boondocks, The Trial of R. Kelly

"I'm butter, don't need grits."
- Magoo in Up Jumps Da Boogie

Man 1: "Jeffrey... there's nothing you CAN do."
Man 2 (Jeffrey): "I guess I'll have to develop a sense of humor..."
- Family Guy, A Very Special Family Guy Freakin' Christmas

"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take - Wayne Gretzsky"
- Michael Scott, The Office

"It's a charade wrapped in a facade covered in a lie."
- Uncle Ruckus, The Boondocks, The Story of Jimmy Rebel

"Can too much black television kill you?"
- Huey, The Boondocks, Riley Wuz Here

New Video: Anything - Musiq Soulchild feat. Swizz Beatz

2011-03-08T01:38:00.001-05:00

Love this song :)

New Video: Bow Chicka Wow Wow - Mike Posner feat. Lil Wayne

2011-03-01T19:08:00.001-05:00

Limitless, March 18th

2011-03-01T00:28:00.002-05:00

Can't wait to see this :)

New Video: All of the Lights - Kanye West (must see!)

2011-02-19T14:39:00.000-05:00

I'm in love with visualizers. A few weeks ago, a friend and I were watching visualizers (yes, as an activity...). I said visualizers would make a dope music video, she suggested doing it with images.

Two weeks later (yesterday), this video comes out.

Mind blown. Life is crazy... and I need to meet Kanye.

New Video: Bodies - Cee-Lo Green (must see!)

2011-02-15T15:24:00.002-05:00

Good... golly... THIS IS WONDERFUL. Crazy animation. Hella creepy. Made me giggle, too. All the things I want to feel. This is a must see.

New Video: In the Morning - J. Cole feat. Drake

2011-02-15T15:03:00.003-05:00

For all the J. Cole fans out there. (... the Drake fans too... I guess..)

New Video: The Break Up Song - Wale / All I Do - Stevie Wonder

2011-02-12T11:41:00.001-05:00

Days later, I've finally decided to post this. Mostly because I really like this song. Wale has kinda been annoying me for the last year, but maybe that wouldn't be the case if I wasn't following him on Twitter. Hm...

(You didn't think I could go without posting this, right?!)

Shop Around

2011-02-12T01:23:00.000-05:00

The other day a friend and I did something we've never done before -- speed dating.

Speed dating is one of those things I've always been curious about. I usually imagine a scene with flashes of me talking to three men who are complete characters: The first is bouncing off the walls with energy, talking a mile a minute, and probably on some drug... The second is such a creep that I can barely notice what he's saying behind the winking, lip-licking, and goofy smiling. The third is a seemingly upstanding black man. We're chatting, laughing, and really enjoying each other's company, but just when it's getting good, his wife storms in, curses me out for getting at a married man, and drags him to the minivan where the sad faces of his three kids are waiting for him.

TV and movies always make it look so nerve-wracking, but sometimes that's exactly what we need to remind us that those nerves are actually there. So with this mild interest in trying it, the opportunity presented itself the way most opportunities do these days -- by email. Granted, it was college speed dating, so I was guaranteed to have at least one thing in common with the people around me.

With a classy drink in hand and a smile on my face, I nervously took a seat to start round one. The rules were simple: One minute with each person. If you like them, write their number in your love column. Then move to your left. (Of course there was also a space for potential friends, but clearly I wasn't there to make friends. Valentine's Day is soon, so I really had some work to do!)*

There were the typical questions:
- What's your name?
- What year are you?
- What are you studying?
- Blah blah blah...

And there were the unique:
- What's the craziest thing you've done lately? (Like in "The Girl Next Door"? Anyone? .. No?)
- If you could spend your life as any animal what would you be?**

But the hardest was any variation of "what do you like to do?" Such a standard question, but kind of weird to answer, you know? What do I like to do? What am I into? I'm into living and breathing! The end! I found myself saying "music" a lot... but then I'd have to qualify it with "well, I mean... listening to music... and talking about music... and... writing about music." Sadly, no, I'm not a dope musician. There was always a brief withdrawal of excitement when they found out I didn't make music. (Most people tried to bring the energy back with a "oh, that's cool!" but I knew it wasn't the same.)

This account of the experience probably doesn't make it apparent but I really enjoyed it. I met so many different kinds of people and though I may never see them again (or ever WANT to see them again),
it was all nice while it lasted!

Besides, I think I gotta step my social game up. In the end, people are all we really have.

Note:
*Just kidding :)
**I said a butterfly. Pretty, free, happy, well loved. Their lives may not be long, but they probably live them to the fullest.

Videos: BCJC & Jasmine - Monsieur Nov

2011-02-10T14:03:00.000-05:00

French-speaking Asian R&B singer... what a beautiful combination. Plus, he's got a song named Jasmine. I can't be mad at that!

MJ's Human Nature (Cover)

2011-02-09T23:00:00.001-05:00

Support.

New Video: Gone Baby Don't Be Long - Erykah Badu

2011-02-09T21:09:00.003-05:00

I loooove this song

New Music: Anything by Musiq Soulchild & Swizz Beatz

2011-01-25T14:06:00.000-05:00

Ooo.. Monster Mondays..

Video: The Show Goes On - Lupe Fiasco

2011-01-12T17:53:00.001-05:00

New Video: Be With You - David Banner & 9th Wonder feat. Ludacris & Marsha Ambrosius

2010-12-17T14:23:00.001-05:00

David Banner - New Music - More Music Videos

Shout out to UnderGround Charizma for bringing the video to my attention!

Video Preview: Monster - Kanye West feat. Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, & Bon Iver

2010-12-08T18:26:00.003-05:00

I'm hype.

Just In Case You Forgot...

2010-11-27T18:32:00.000-05:00

Classic.

*runs to watch Boomerang & Coming to America...*

New Video: 10 Seconds - Jazmine Sullivan

2010-11-19T15:46:00.001-05:00

Amazing.
But the ending? Hm..

New Video: What's My Name - Rihanna feat. Drake

2010-11-19T15:36:00.002-05:00

I surprisingly like it... minus her crazy red hair.
But she made it work, for what it is.

Michael's Employees as Cards

2010-11-19T15:34:00.002-05:00

knocks me off my feet

2010-11-16T02:29:00.003-05:00

1. 'Before I Let Go' by Maze feat. Frankie Beverly (1981)
2. 'Outstanding' by Gap Band (1982)
3. 'Love Come Down' by Evelyn Champagne King (1982)
4. 'A Night to Remember' by Shalamar (1982)
5. 'I'm Your Baby Tonight' by Whitney Houston (1990)
6. 'Ain't Nothing Going On (But the Rent)' by Gwen Guthrie (1986)
7. 'All Around the World' by Lisa Stanfield (1989)
8. 'Candy' by Cameo (1986)
9. 'Da Butt' by Experience Unlimited (1987)
10. 'Groove Me' by Guy (1988) [download]
11. 'Don't Walk Away' by Jade (1993)
12. 'Back to Life' by Soul II Soul (1989)
13. 'You're the One' by SWV (1996)
14. 'Sittin Up In My Room' by Brandy (1995)
15. 'Mary Jane (All Night Long)' by Mary J. Blige (1994) [download]
16. 'Diggin On You' by TLC (1994) [download]
17. 'Roni' by Bobby Brown (1988)
18. 'If It Isn't Love' by New Edition (1988)
19. 'You Can't Turn Me Away' by Sylvia Striplin (1980)
20. 'For the Cool in You' by Babyface (1993)
21. 'This is for the Lover in You' by Shalamar (1981)
22. '100 Ways' by Quincy Jones feat. James Ingram (1981)

Smooth transition! Songs you should know... Especially those ones sampled by your favorite songs.

If you like em, add em to your iTunes. In the meantime, enjoy these videos!

Releases to Notice...

2010-11-13T21:06:00.000-05:00

RECENT

Mixtape: Friday Night Lights (free download)
Artist: J. Cole
Release date: November 12, 2010
Songs to hear: Blow Up, Higher

Comments: I haven't listened to it... yet! But I've been bumpin Higher and Blow Up for a minute now (Blow Up is the reason why I can sometimes be found mean-muggin when I'm walking around... ha!). Plus, I love J. Cole. And Wale is one of the featured artists. Thus, I predict good things :)

Bonus: peep this article.

Album: The Lady Killer
Artist: Cee-Lo
Release date: November 5, 2010
Singles: F*** You

Comments: Once again... I haven't listened to it yet! I know, I'm being a slacker. But Cee-Lo's a really talented and seasoned artist, so I'm very hopeful. Bonus points: seems like the album's received some great reviews + the F You video is so clever.

Album: Nothing
Artist: N.E.R.D.
Release date: October 29, 2010
Singles: Hot-n-Fun (feat. Nelly Furtado), Party People, Hypnotize U
Favorites: Perfect Defect, Sacred Temple, Hot-n-Fun

Comments: Well... certainly not their best effort (the reviews don't seem too positive), but I think I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for N.E.R.D. Bottom line - you should listen to it at least twice and then feel free to take it or leave it.

UPCOMING

Album: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Artist: Kanye West
Scheduled release date: November 22, 2010
Singles: Power (feat. Dwele), Runaway (feat. Pusha T), Monster (feat. Rick Ross, Bon Iver, Nicki Minaj, Jay-Z), All of the Lights (feat.... uh... everyone!)
Favorites: Dark Fantasy, Lost in the World, Runaway, Monster.... okay, basically everything.

Comments: With the advent of GOOD Fridays came a restored excitement/love for Mr. West. But let me just point out that my love never disappeared. Not even during his 808's & Heartbreak days (though I'll admit, I did have to smdh a little bit...). Anyway, when Kanye comes back... he REALLY comes back. A 30+ minute film featuring new dope music? Weekly releases? Great promotional techniques! ... oh, yeah, and good art too :) Anyway, I support this 102%, with a 2% margin of error. Get on the bandwagon, just embrace it.

New Song: Chain Heavy - Kanye West feat. Talib Kweli & Consequence

2010-11-13T20:26:00.000-05:00

Download it (and the rest of the Good Friday tracks) for free at www.kanyewest.com/goodfridays

The Trial of R. Kelly (The Boondocks, Season 1)

2010-11-09T14:52:00.001-05:00

The Boondocks - R Kelly Trial

o[* _ *]o | Myspace Video

New Song: 1st Time - Talib Kweli feat. Consequence

2010-11-09T14:50:00.002-05:00

New Song: Looking for Trouble - Kanye West feat. Pusha T, CyHi the Prynce, Big Sean, & J. Cole)

2010-11-06T22:27:00.000-04:00

Download it (and the rest of the Good Friday tracks) for free at www.kanyewest.com/goodfridays

Video: Holding You Down (Goin' In Circles) - Jazmine Sullivan

2010-11-01T18:12:00.000-04:00

Aw yes, Jazmine Sullivan is the business. The song & video aren't new, but I just saw the video for the first time today. Love the party scene... and all the cameos!

New Video: Runaway - Kanye West

2010-10-24T13:09:00.005-04:00

He's really back.

Full Length Film Version (34 minutes)

Video Version (4 minutes)

Also, check youtube.com/KanyeWestVEVO for the extended video version (8 minutes) and the clean full length version (34 minutes).

New Video: Whip My Hair - Willow Smith

2010-10-19T20:54:00.000-04:00

I wholeheartedly approve. I really really do.

I wish I was one of Will Simth's kids... or married to him... or him...

New Video: Aston Martin Music - Rick Ross feat. Chrisette Michele and Drake

2010-10-16T16:07:00.001-04:00

Drake adds a verse (and a little more singing...) - but I ain't mad at it.

New Song: Take One for the Team - Kanye West feat. Keri Hilson, Pusha T, and Cyhi the Prince

2010-10-16T13:07:00.001-04:00

[Love it... but did he really have to come at girls who wear Victoria's Secret Love Spell? C'mon son, that used to be my favorite scent in like 8th grade!]

Download it (and the rest of the Good Friday tracks) for free at www.kanyewest.com/goodfridays

for the cool in you

2010-10-13T03:26:00.000-04:00

I'm rereading some thoughts I wrote down in June (yeah, I'm reminiscing at 3am - typical me) and it's hella interesting to see what I used to think about, how I would write it, how secretive I would be (even though it's a personal journal, so I'm the only one who's really gonna be see it).

It's just so amazing how things work out. How one sentence, phrase, word, utterance... can be so important. I love that.

("For the Cool in You" by Babyface, 1993)

10 Seconds - Jazmine Sullivan

2010-10-12T16:23:00.002-04:00

New Song: Don't Stop - CRS (Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, Pharrell Williams)

2010-10-10T15:52:00.000-04:00

Download it (and the rest of the Good Friday tracks) for free at www.kanyewest.com/goodfridays

Passion, Pain, & Pleasure

2010-10-06T16:10:00.000-04:00

(originally posted here) <3

With only six years in the game, Trey Songz has made quite a name for himself. Best known for his provocative lyrics, seductive videos, and sexy performances, he seems to have the magic to make the ladies melt and the fellas take notes (think: “I Invented Sex” video). Just over a year after releasing his Grammy-nominated album Ready, the self-proclaimed “Prince of Virginia” is back with a new album to test just how deep our love for him goes. I’ll admit it: Trey stepped up his vocal skills on Passion, Pain, & Pleasure, but will that be enough to counter claims that he’s an updated version of an oversexed teenage boy?

Well, seems like he’s trying pretty damn hard to make us think otherwise.

When Trey said this was going to be his best album yet, I was a bit skeptical. Ready (2009) produced 5 successful singles, reached #3 on the Billboard 200 charts, and was even up for Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 2010 Grammy Awards. And although I Gotta Make it (2005) and Trey Day (2007) received less love, they both offered up key songs to put Trey on the map. But after giving his 4^th album a shot, there’s no denying the truth: Passion, Pain, & Pleasure is his strongest, most consistent, and best produced piece of work to date.

Trey “Mr. Steal Your Girl” Songz takes us on a holistic journey through his heart and his mind that leaves us slightly more satisfied than his three previous endeavors. We start off with the seductive and inebriated Trey we all know and love. He offers to help us relax on “Massage” and then takes out for a wild night with the help of Nicki Minaj on “Bottoms Up” (she’s so much of a character, you can’t help but love it). But then we’re introduced to three sides of Trey, with the help of dramatic interludes…

Here’s a quick overview:

PAIN

#7: Can’t Be Friends

The album’s second single and, surprisingly, I have nothing negative to say. Pretty dope video too (he WOULD take his shirt off… typical).

#8: Please Return My Call

Beautiful song, vocals are on point, and the vulnerability that he shows here seems more natural than on previous songs (see: “Yo Side of the Bed”). This is real R&B, congrats Trey!

PLEASURE

#11: Red Lipstick

Good production, a bit repetitive/average… but he’s back to making girls melt. I can’t be mad at it.

PASSION

#17: You Just Need Me

Well… honestly? This was just unnecessary. It’s almost as bad as Usher adding “OMG” to his track list (and then releasing it as a single…). To be the best you need to release the best. And this is not it.

While I commend the variety of emotions, my advice for Trigga would be to know when to cut bad songs. If you want to be on top, you have minimize the number of bad songs you have on your album, no matter how good the others are.

But overall, it looks like Trey is on the right path. Seems like the 25-year-old is growing out of the horny college kid phase and is finally sorting out his feelings. Still, based on some of these lyrics, he may need to take a class on gender studies: “… But I need you back in the crib cookin’ up some of that good chicken & gravy, mashed potatoes, homemade lemonade…” Hey Trey, why not cook it up for HER? Then maybe she’ll actually come back to you! But, that’s probably a discussion for another time.

Bottom line: the best tracks here are the least sexual ones (i.e. the entire Pain section). Maybe Trey will finally recognize it if we stop hyping up his average sex songs and start commending him for the rest of his work.

Final Grade: B/B+

------

The Stats

Release Date: September 14

2 Singles (both with music videos): Bottoms Up (feat. Nicki Minaj), Can’t Be Friends

Best Song: Please Return My Call

Runners-up: Can’t Be Friends, Panty Droppa (The Complete Edition)

Worst Song: You Just Need Me

Runners-up: Blind

New Video: Can't Be Friends - Trey Songz

2010-09-23T17:42:00.002-04:00

I love this song and this CD. Shout out to Passion, Pain, & Pleasure! Review coming soon. But in the meantime... enjoy the video :)

New Song: Lord Lord Lord - Kanye West ft. Mos Def, Raekwon, and Charlie Wilson

2010-09-19T18:27:00.001-04:00

A gift and a curse

2010-09-06T00:11:00.000-04:00

I wish it were possible for dope relationships to continue until you wanted them to stop.

I mean, I guess they can... But it's so hard; there are so many factors that can affect how close you stay to someone else. And by factors I mean forces. External forces that you can't really affect back.

No bueno.

I think it's kind of a curse to be as nostalgic and reminiscent as I usually am. I'm always looking back and feeling sad about the people I'm not longer close to. Or that I no longer see regularly. I know I should be looking back and enjoying the really great times, but the fact that I can't really relive them kind of sucks!

At some point it's going to be come hard to meet great people who you can talk to for hours a day. Dope people who make you a better person. Amazing people who warm your heart.

... But I guess that's a pessimistic attitude, right? Or maybe just a realistic one. I guess I'll find out in a few years.

Song You Should Know: Love Come Down - Evelyn "Champagne" King

2010-09-04T11:27:00.001-04:00

1982.

New Song: It Won't Be Long - J. Cole

2010-09-04T11:21:00.002-04:00

A current favorite

Song You Should Know: Rock Witcha - Bobby Brown

2010-09-04T11:14:00.001-04:00

From the 1998 Don't Be Cruel album... too good.

Song You Should Know: Candy Rain - Soul for Real

2010-08-11T13:31:00.003-04:00

It'll never get old.

Favorite Mark Ronson Songs + Video: Bang Bang Bang - Mark Ronson ft. Q-Tip & MNDR

2010-08-11T00:28:00.000-04:00

My love for Mark Ronson officially started during my junior year of high school (almost 4 years ago! ah! I'm feeling old...) when I bought (yes.. BOUGHT!) a copy of his second album Version (2007). Then I got his first one Here Comes The Fuzz (2003). And now, I'm hype for his upcoming project, Record Collection (2010).

This video and song are both so dope. Especially because I love Q-Tip too!

Other songs to check out:
- She's Got Me (with Daniel Merriweather)
- Valerie (with Amy Winehouse)
- Oh My God (with Lily Allen)
- Ooh Wee (with Ghostface Killah, Nate Dogg, Trife, and Saigon)
- Stop Me (with Daniel Merriweather)
- Just (with Alex Grenwald)
- Amy (with Kenna)
- LSF (with Kasabian)
- Anything he produced for Lily Allen, Amy Winehouse, or Wale

It's like my RADIO's stuck on replay...

2010-08-09T02:55:00.003-04:00

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Now I admit, I'll listen to Top 40s songs every now and then (especially this summer). I even enjoy Justin Bieber. But c'mon now. To me, some things are just absurd... and it's good to know I'm not alone in that sentiment.

I've been against this dang "OMG" song since the album came out (check the review). I never expected it to get so popular. If there's any redeeming part of the song, it's the little breakdown toward the end... which lasts less than 10 seconds. Great!

[22 million views though? REALLY?]

"California Gurls" (it's really spelled "gurls" by the way... isn't that just the worst? *sigh*...) isn't a bad song, I enjoy it! I used to listen to it a lot when it first came out. But for real, when I heard that thing about it having the same beat as "Tik Tok" I just couldn't do it. Plus, the song had been overplayed (oversang?) by all summer by 5th, 6th, 7th, AND 8th grade girls. And then when the video came out... oh lord. I was done.

You got any feelings on the subject? :)

New Video: Power - Kanye West

2010-08-06T00:12:00.005-04:00

Well... I really wish this wasn't the post I'm using to make my comeback, but it's relevant/brand new so I kinda have to do it, right?

I really wanna tag this with a "womp" but for now... I just won't say anything...

*Updated August 6 @ 3:09 pm*

Here's the unedited version (can't decide which one I like better)

Also, I think I've changed my mind. I don't hate it / it's not "womp" worthy. I just wish I had known in advance that it wasn't gonna be a full video. But I guess that's my fault for being out of the real world for most of the summer... Slowly but surely, I'm making my way back in.

Directed by Marco Brambilla, here's a word about the video (thanks UnderGround Charizma!):

"Well, it's a video portrait of Kanye. It starts with a very tight shot introducing him that's kind of a reinvention of a neoclassical painting. It pulls back from the shot, without any cuts, and we reveal the video canvas, populated by all these characters who are depicted in various stages of undress and decadence. The iconography comes from Roman iconography, Renaissance iconography, and it connects to the sexuality of the music as well. As we reveal the setting for it, there's a feeling of a moment of transition for him. A fall from grace, if you will. It visualizes power, and him as the icon as power, and then at the end of the piece it challenges the power that I set up at the beginning. It's an elliptical piece of storytelling:

New Video: Closer - Corinne Bailey Rae

2010-07-08T10:39:00.001-04:00

Finally! A video! <3 She's great. Pay attention to her.

Song You Should Know: You Make Life So Good - Rahsaan Patterson

2010-07-08T09:27:00.001-04:00

New Video: All I Want Is You - Miguel feat. J. Cole

2010-06-29T09:53:00.002-04:00

So far, my favorite song of 2010... and now there's a video! Yes!

Song You Should Know: For the Lover in You - Shalamar

2010-06-27T22:00:00.001-04:00

New Video: Who Dat - J. Cole

2010-06-23T03:16:00.002-04:00

One of my favorite people.

How do you feel about the video (and the song)?

Sidenote: I've been really busy the past week and a half, but I'm going to get back on this. I promise!

:)

New Music Blog: 7 Day Music Civilian

2010-06-12T01:32:00.003-04:00

Shout out to the homie Alexis & her friends! They just started a new blog called 7 Day Music Civilian & I'm sure it won't disappoint. Sounds like it'll be just the right thing for anyone with a remote interest in music and a great way to find new songs/artists. I'm really hype about it! I'm into people doing the whole blog thang.

[via google]

Check out the info/about section:

What is 7 Day Music?

7 Day Music Civilian is 7 kids blogging 7 days a week with 7 different tastes in music and 7 overload. One day Lester AKA DJZesty had the brilliant idea for us to start a blog with everyone posting a different day of the week, and we all thought “Lester, what a brilliant idea.” And in 7 Days, 7 Day Music Civilian was created. You can read about each of us above but in general, we are all music-loving, fun-loving people whose mama’s taught us to share so we’re sharing our musical finds with you. If there’s something you want us to post or look into, share with us too! And don’t forget to become a Civilian and sign up for updates. The great thing about 7DMC is that you’ll always be able to find something you like or take a chance with something you don’t know. Some things we post will be brand new, and some will be tried and true, but it’s all for your enjoyment.

Beats and Love,

Alexis, Cara, Christina, Lester, Mark, Marissa, & Max

keep me where the light is

2010-06-10T16:05:00.009-04:00

1. 'Gettin Up' by Q-Tip
2. 'Faithful' by Common featuring John Legend and Bilal
3. 'SpottieOttieDopaliscious' by OutKast
4. 'Vultures' by John Mayer
5. 'Just Friends' by Amy Winehouse
6. 'Diamonds' by Robin Thicke featuring The Game
7. 'P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)' by Michael Jackson
8. 'Rock the Boat' by Aaliyah
9. 'Naive' (The Kooks cover) by Lily Allen
10. 'Sex, Love, and Money' by Mos Def
11. 'Find a Way' by A Tribe Called Quest
12. 'Pro Lover' by Usher
13. 'Get Me Home' by Foxy Brown featuring Blackstreet
14. 'Falsetto' by The-Dream
15. 'Don't Let It Go to Your Head' by Brand Nubian
16. 'All I Want Is You' by Miguel featuring J. Cole
17. 'Eye Know' by De La Soul
18. 'Nothing Even Matters' by Lauryn Hill and D'Angelo
19. 'Body Bumpin (Yippie-Yi-Yo)' by Public Announcement
20. 'Faster' by Slum Village featuring Colin Munroe

.

Throwback Column: My Place

2010-06-08T00:54:00.000-04:00

September 20, 2007

This is a time in my life when I am getting to know myself and my place among people.

No, not my “place” as if I’m lower than my peers and I should be have as such. I mean my “place” as in my role and position in the world, in my world.

I’ve come to recognize and accept my flaws and quirks better, which helps me to accept the flaws of others without being so judgmental. Who am I to tear someone down when I am going through the same things? Of course, I have relapses, slip-ups, mistakes. But I try to think before I react because I know that everything I do, say, or express has a consequence: negative, positive, or insignificant.

Throwback Column: The Corner of the Sofa

2010-06-08T00:45:00.000-04:00

September 17, 2007 (English journal)

Sometimes when I look back, I realize how little I’ve changed in some aspects.

It often went like this: it was summertime and of course that meant that Tasha was always at our house or we were at hers. Being young and having nothing better to do, we spent our days either making up games or making up performances. We were rehearsing for our Mothers’ Day presentation when the typical thing happened. After running through the play, in which I portrayed a bad little girl who put gum in people’s hair, we moved on to the dance. Now, we thought that we were pretty skilled dancers and singers. We’d don’t countless performances for our parents and even one for our neighbors – we pass out fliers and everything. Somehow, in the middle of learning the choreography, the topic of interest turned to me.

“Jasmine, you’re so dumb.” (Untrue. I knew I was smart.)
“You’re just a little kid.” (Of course. I knew this.)

Still, I let these comments get to me.

Attention to practicing kind of drifted away from all of us and so we sat to watch TV. I sat quietly in the corner, hiding my face, trying to be invisible.

“Stop trying to make us feel bad.”
“Gosh, way to go.”

It was as if I would never win.

This trait has carried into my teenage years. I voice my opinion and people can tell when I’m unhappy, but I still feel like it’s those who love me that sometimes hurt me the most, and they’re the hardest people to stand up to.

Now I don’t have a corner of the sofa to hide in… The corner of the car maybe.
My personal corner.
The corner of the conversation.

A mental corner.

We got the jazz, we got the jazz...

2010-06-07T02:37:00.003-04:00

When reminiscing and music combine, I go a little crazy.

Tonight I sat down and explored some old jazz favorites (and trying to discover some new ones), thanks to the time I spent in the car with my dad earlier this afternoon. When I was younger, we would ride around listening to Smooth Jazz 105.9 (WJZW, DC area radio), especially in the summer, with the windows down, on the weekend... when neither of us had anything to worry about. I remember him taking me to some event at the Kennedy Center and seeing groups like Incognito and Pieces of a Dream. I remember riding in the backseat hearing the jock with the really smooth voice spit out names like Joe Sample, George Benson, and Chuck Mangione. I especially remember my frustration with the fact that there were usually NO words with these songs. I really didn't understand it back then! ... It would annoy me so much, that I would make up my own words to go along to the music. Looking back, they were either ingenious lines... or useless junk. Since none of it was written down, I guess I'll never know!

In no way would I ever call myself 'a jazz person.' What an over-exaggerated compliment that would be! I wish. Maybe some day..

But in honor of WJZW 105.9 (which last strong 14 years as a smooth jazz station, until the format was switched in 2008), in honor of hip-hop samples, in honor of "Jazz" by ATCQ, in honor of my dad, in honor of my childhood, and in honor of good music... here's some music:

Winelight by Grover Washington, Jr.

Breezin' by George Benson

Give It All You Got by Chuck Mangione

Mister Magic by Grover Washington, Jr.

In All My Wildest Dreams by Joe Sample

Take Five by Dave Brubeck

We're In This Love Together by Al Jarreau

Nature Boy by George Benson

Morning Dance by Spyro Gyra

Did you just... congratulate me... for reading?

2010-06-04T15:41:00.010-04:00

I'm not normally one to suggest books, especially cuz I'm so sloth-like that I don't take the time to sit down and finish books. But I was searching through my books as I was unpacking earlier and came across the books we used for this hip hop course last semester. Needless to say... I didn't do all of the reading for the class. But c'mon, who really does. It's college! There's no way you can read everything. But I can honestly say that I at least read part of all of these books, and the majority are worth spending some time with. [Thanks, Professor Rose!]

*Angry Black White Boy (Adam Mansbach, 2005)

"Peopled with all manner of race pimps and players, Angry Black White Boy is a stunning breakout book from a critically acclaimed young writer and should be required reading for anyone who wants to get under the skin of the complexities of identity in America. "

*Black Noise: Rap Music and Black Culture in Contemporary America (Tricia Rose, 1994)

    - Chapter 1 Voices from the Margins: Rap Music and Contemporary Black Cultural Production
    - Chapter 2 “All Aboard the Night Train”: Flow, Layering, and Rupture in Postindustrial New York
    - Chapter 3 Soul Sonic Forces: Technology, Orality, and Black Cultural Practice in Rap Music
    * Chapter 4 Prophets of Rage: Rap Music and the Politics of Black Cultural Expression
    - Chapter 5 Bad Sistas: Black Women Rappers and Sexual Politics in Rap Music

*Black Sexual Politics: African-Americans, Gender and the New Racism (Patricia Hill-Collins, 2005)

    Wiki summary: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Sexual_Politics:_African_Americans,_Gender,_and_the_New_Racism

    Key chapters:
    - Chapter 3 Prisons for Our Bodies, Closets for Our Minds: Racism, Heterosexism and Black Sexuality
    - Chapter 4 Get your Freak on: Sex, Babies, and Images of Black Femininity
    - Chapter 5 Booty Call: Sex, Violence, and Images of Black Masculinity

The Hip Hop Generation: Young Blacks and the Crisis in African-American Culture (Bakara Kitwana, 2003)

Wiki summary: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hip_Hop_Generation

The Hip Hop Wars: What We Talk About When We Talk About Hip Hop and Why It Matters (Tricia Rose, 2008)

* That’s the Joint: The Hip Hop Studies Reader (Murray Forman and Mark Anthony Neal, 2004)

Sampled: Kisses Sweeter Than Wine -> Suckas

2010-06-04T15:17:00.000-04:00

Original: Kisses Sweeter Than Wine (Weavers)

"New": Suckas (Jay Electronica)

New Song: Faster - Slum Village ft. Colin Munroe

2010-06-02T14:13:00.001-04:00

Love this :)
(Via okayplayer.)

"So the release date has just been announced for Slum Village's new LP, Villa Manifesto, which is set to drop on July 27th. This will be the first album from the group to feature vocal contributions from T3, J Dilla, Baatin, and Elzhi. The LP also features Dwele, De La Soul, Little Brother, Colin Munroe, and Phife. On the production side of things the project boasts a line up of Young RJ, J Dilla, Dave West, Hi-Tek, and Mr. Porter."I wanted to pull the whole squad together," explains T3. "The reason why we call it Villa Manifesto is that it was a statement we want to give our people because we had been away for so long. What we're doing, what's going on, how we're feeling and where we're at today." To give ya'll a sample, here is what will be the first single, "Faster" featuring Colin Munroe."

(click the link to hear the "Faster")

New Video: What's Not To Love - Dwele

2010-06-02T13:49:00.000-04:00

Thank you, okayplayer :)

Dwele What's Not To Love album in stores 6.29.10

DWELE | MySpace Music Videos

Video: Many Moons - Janelle Monáe

2010-05-22T00:32:00.006-04:00

This video is exxxxtrrrrraaaaa nice! It's from her 2007 EP Metropolis Suite I of IV: The Chase.

Feels So Good - Chuck Mangione

2010-05-20T02:19:00.003-04:00

Bathroom Wisdom

2010-05-19T01:08:00.002-04:00

While frantically studying the other night for my final exam, I made frequent trips to the library bathroom (special thanks to Starbucks Coffee and the library café for sending me there so many times!)

...That's not the interesting part of the story. I promise I won't sit here talking about the bathroom for much longer....

So you know how people like to do that really cool, rebellious [read: cliché & played-out] thing where they whip out a pen while they're in the stall and write on the walls? Yeah, well I guess A LOT of people over the years have decided to defy the rules. I was hit with hundreds of statements, questions, poems, etc... Most of it was pretty useless, but I came across one timely/appropriate piece of wisdom that summed up how I feel about a lot of the social interactions around me.

"There's a difference between listening and waiting to talk."

Far too often do I come across people who don't seem to realize the difference. In at least 50% of the interactions I have every day, someone seems to think they're listening... when they're only waiting for me to be finished so that it can be their turn to speak.

Next time you're in a conversation, step back and notice how you're handling the situation -- Are you just waiting for the other person to stop talking so you can say your piece? Do you even wait to speak? Do you just interrupt? Do you find yourself talking about YOU about 75% of the time? (And don't exclude talking about yourself in relation to the original topic from the calculation...) Do you ask other people how they're doing?

If you tend to find yourself in rushed conversations with people trying to get away from you, you might have a problem.

We're all guilty of it sometimes -- it's probably just human nature. But always "waiting to talk" rather than "listening" is an issue. And good relationships will be hard for you in the future if you don't address it now.

Now... who knew a bathroom stall could sum up everything I've been feeling in 9 simple words?!

:)

New Video: What They Been Waiting For - Diggy Simmons

2010-05-14T22:26:00.002-04:00

Go 'head lil man.

New Video: Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready) - Alicia Keys

2010-05-13T04:08:00.003-04:00

Video for the fourth official single "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" from Alicia Keys's album The Element of Freedom.

Video after the break!

I don't really bang with Alicia Keys these days, but I couldn't even hate on this video if I tried.

My only question for her: Chad Michael Murray? ... Really? Haha!

New Video: Find Your Love - Drake

2010-05-11T16:09:00.008-04:00

Drake - New Music - More Music Videos

(6:56pm: Youtube video taken down... but I found it on MTV, woop woop!)

Commentary:

I really dislike Drake. There's no doubt about it
When people were pushing for him to come for Brown University's Spring Weekend 2010, I was not at all supportive. I almost even wrote a response to some poorly written opinion piece in the school newspaper back in October or November.

All of that being said... I tried to step away from my previous feelings and think about the song and video objectively. The song itself isn't amazing, but I won't hate on it. Coming from Drake though, it's a problem. Drake needs to stop singing. Straight up. Yes, I enjoy songs like "Brand New" and "A Night Off" from his So Far Gone mixtape, but I still think he needs to stop singing.

Matter fact... he needs also needs to let go of this whole Young Money thing. It's not a good look. Why be associated with Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, and the rest of them? Womp womp for you, Mr. Graham.

The video, though a bit extra at times [examples: any shots of him in the studio, him talking in the introduction, the ending where "FIND YOUR LOVE" is flashed with three weak gunshot sounds, etc], was acceptable - I approve! It's especially better than the failure of last summer's "Best I Ever Had," but I guess that's not really saying much...

-- "Find Your Love" is Drake's second single from his upcoming debut full length studio album Thank Me Later, due to be released June 15.

Drake fans and haters alike, be sure to check it out and share your response!

New Video: It's In The Morning - Robin Thicke feat. Snoop

2010-05-11T15:31:00.004-04:00

This is my favorite song from his most recent album Sex Therapy so I was hype to see it... But I think it leaves a lot to be desired.

I.e. it was bland. But! I still like the song, so I can't really complain all that much.

Janelle Monáe... Album Release: May 18!

2010-05-11T15:20:00.001-04:00

Um... She's dope. If you don't know her, you should hit up google & check out the video for her single Tight Rope with Big Boi.

Her new album The ArchAndroid (Suites II and III of IV) will be out next week!

Video: J. Cole "College Conversations" w/ the Source

2010-05-11T15:12:00.003-04:00

J. Cole talks about inspirations, his story, and his hopes.

(Via okayplayer)

If you don't know what this is all about, you better step your game up...

2010-05-10T17:11:00.002-04:00

A Message From the President: Barack Obama Responds to "Dick Riding Obama"

Lucy Pearl

2010-05-10T03:09:00.008-04:00

Tribe

2010-05-03T16:17:00.002-04:00

Grrrrr...

2010-04-28T20:16:00.001-04:00

Why can't we be angry, grumpy, upset, sad, mad, or whatever WHENEVER we want to be? With no consequence? I think it's healthy for people to be in a bad mood every now & then...

Raymond v. Raymond

2010-03-31T12:53:00.003-04:00

(The original review is HERE, but I added the videos in this post!)

Five-time Grammy winner and multi-platinum recording artist Usher Raymond is best known for topping the charts and giving us albums with the perfect mixture of songs:

* 1 part club banger,
* 2 parts ballad (both the loving and the depressing kind), and
* 1 part baby-makin’ music.

Citing the late Michael Jackson as his greatest influence, it seems Usher has been on the ride of his life, releasing hit after hit. Since MJ’s death, even Jay-Z himself said Usher would become the next King of Pop.

So with his long list of hits and the five-month build up, it would be safe to expect his sixth studio album, Raymond v. Raymond, would deserve pretty high marks, right? 4 stars? A B+?

Well, don’t worry; I was lulled into a false sense of security, too.

Ignoring his first promotional single (you remember that really whiny divorce song that took over radios and TVs for the month of November…), the album seemed promising: three official singles, a great list of producers, and four popular featured artists.

But upon further inspection, it’s clear that looks can be deceiving.

If Usher’s not talking about his personal struggles with relationships (“Papers”), he’s hyping himself up and telling us how great he is at pleasing women (“Mars vs. Venus” and “Hey Daddy”). And if he’s not hyping himself up, he’s talking about all the beautiful women who want to get with him (“So Many Girls”).

You would think there would be a little bit more going on in the mind of a 31-year-old man...

Let’s examine:

#2: Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)
Love the song (… after making myself listen to it three times), but the fact that he has these women calling him 'daddy' is not okay. And I can’t help but feel like he wasn’t really needed for this video. The ladies are the best part. Plus, if he wasn’t in it, I don’t think I would object so much to them crawling on the floor… Ugh.

#4: Lil Freak feat. Nicki Minaj
As much as I dislike Nicki Minaj, I gotta say she really works for this track. And the video fits so well that it actually makes me enjoy the song. (Shout out to Ciara & Jamie Foxx for the random cameos!)

#6: OMG feat. will.i.am
This was a major disappointment. This song is so weak, it sounds like it was added at the last minute. It’s like, “Usher, why would you use so much autotune? You actually know how to sing!”

Best song: Pro Lover
Runners-up: There Goes My Baby, Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home), and Lil Freak

Worst song: OMG
Runners-up: She Don’t Know and Papers

The conclusion I’ve come to: Usher is now all about…

* Wearing flashy sunglasses with sharp outfits,
* Having groups of women crawling (on beds, on floors, on him…),
* Being called “daddy” by said groups of women,
* Drinking expensive alcohol, and
* Putting all his dirty laundry out there for the entire world to enjoy.

I’m pretty sure he thinks all of these add up to him being on his “grown man ish,” but I gotta disagree. Usher isn’t coming off as a leader of the pack; instead he’s trying to keep up with all the youngins (read: Trey Songz), but in the meantime is regressing into a materialistic, narcissistic, complacent popstar. I mean, the only thing I really learned about him was that he was ready to sign them PAPERS!!...papers…papers…

The fact of the matter is that Usher’s at the point where he’ll get mad love no matter WHAT he puts out. Even if he’s just talking about the same old junk or releasing straight up bad music, people will be hype. Jay-Z is the king of this. It's like they’ve gotten so lazy... but no one is calling them out on it.

Long story short: maybe Usher should stop giving all the good songs to his protégé Justin Bieber.

Final grade: C+
(And I think I’m being pretty generous…)

---------------
** Late addition: I just came across this other review & it articulates everything I feel about this album so well: Is Usher Having a Mid-Career Crisis on 'Raymond v. Raymond'? from theBVX.com

Video: Window Seat - Erykah Badu

2010-03-27T15:28:00.002-04:00

Video: Call Me - Joell Ortiz ft. Novel

2010-03-22T00:16:00.001-04:00

Still a favorite.

Will finally update over spring break (starts this Saturday!)... just gotta make it through this week. Let's goooooooooo!

New Video: My Sweetie - Wale

2010-02-12T16:38:00.003-05:00

I just really need to buy a DMV tee shirt. It will make everything about me infinitely better.

New Song: Sounds G.O.O.D. 2 Me - Consequence

2010-02-12T14:29:00.002-05:00

Favorite of the week!!

New Video: Pretty Girls - Wale

2010-02-11T11:52:00.002-05:00

The video is average/kinda weak... but I still had to put it up. DMV :)

New Video: Rude Boy - Rihanna

2010-02-11T11:50:00.003-05:00

I actually really like this video! I see some MIA inspirations... Okay, Rihanna. I see you!

the light.

Day Twenty-Two: small velour box, pink ribbon tied

Day Twenty-One: exactly which Michael Jackson are we talking about anyway?

Day Twenty: girlfriends & the game

Day Nineteen: you're the air I breathe on a hot summer day

Day Eighteen: we didn't eat our vegetables... stunted our growth

Day Seventeen: rock and roll & roll and rock

Day Sixteen: how I feel sometimes..

Day Fifteen: you will never have my rhymes

Day Fourteen: I like the groove of your walk, your talk, your dress

Day Thirteen: and why should I have to miss out on the next R. Kelly album JUST for THAT?!

Day Twelve: destiny... or fate?

Day Eleven: big night for us, gentlemen...

Day Ten: cupid has done it again

Day Nine: the crush

Day Eight: if I could trade my fame and all my jewelry

Day Seven: it's never safe for us, not even in the evening..

Day Six: my dignity's come undone

Day Five: I wish that I could be what I want to, I wish that I could do what I don't do....

Day Four: think I've got some dip on the side...

Day Three: messing me up, my whole head. teasing me, just like Tisha, did Martin...

Day Two: will they ever be around or will they turn their backs on you?

Day One: she's the color of the sun, the petals of a daisy

New Video: Anything - Musiq Soulchild feat. Swizz Beatz

New Video: Bow Chicka Wow Wow - Mike Posner feat. Lil Wayne

Limitless, March 18th

New Video: All of the Lights - Kanye West (**must see!**)

New Video: Bodies - Cee-Lo Green (*must see!*)

New Video: In the Morning - J. Cole feat. Drake

New Video: The Break Up Song - Wale / All I Do - Stevie Wonder

Shop Around

Videos: BCJC & Jasmine - Monsieur Nov

MJ's Human Nature (Cover)

New Video: Gone Baby Don't Be Long - Erykah Badu

New Music: Anything by Musiq Soulchild & Swizz Beatz

Video: The Show Goes On - Lupe Fiasco

New Video: Be With You - David Banner & 9th Wonder feat. Ludacris & Marsha Ambrosius

Video Preview: Monster - Kanye West feat. Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, & Bon Iver

Just In Case You Forgot...

New Video: 10 Seconds - Jazmine Sullivan

New Video: What's My Name - Rihanna feat. Drake

Michael's Employees as Cards

knocks me off my feet

Releases to Notice...

New Song: Chain Heavy - Kanye West feat. Talib Kweli & Consequence

The Trial of R. Kelly (The Boondocks, Season 1)

New Song: 1st Time - Talib Kweli feat. Consequence

New Song: Looking for Trouble - Kanye West feat. Pusha T, CyHi the Prynce, Big Sean, & J. Cole)

Video: Holding You Down (Goin' In Circles) - Jazmine Sullivan

New Video: Runaway - Kanye West

New Video: Whip My Hair - Willow Smith

New Video: Aston Martin Music - Rick Ross feat. Chrisette Michele and Drake

New Song: Take One for the Team - Kanye West feat. Keri Hilson, Pusha T, and Cyhi the Prince

for the cool in you

10 Seconds - Jazmine Sullivan

New Song: Don't Stop - CRS (Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, Pharrell Williams)

Passion, Pain, & Pleasure

New Video: Can't Be Friends - Trey Songz

New Song: Lord Lord Lord - Kanye West ft. Mos Def, Raekwon, and Charlie Wilson

A gift and a curse

Song You Should Know: Love Come Down - Evelyn "Champagne" King

New Song: It Won't Be Long - J. Cole

Song You Should Know: Rock Witcha - Bobby Brown

Song You Should Know: Candy Rain - Soul for Real

Favorite Mark Ronson Songs + Video: Bang Bang Bang - Mark Ronson ft. Q-Tip & MNDR

It's like my RADIO's stuck on replay...

New Video: Power - Kanye West

New Video: Closer - Corinne Bailey Rae

Song You Should Know: You Make Life So Good - Rahsaan Patterson

New Video: All I Want Is You - Miguel feat. J. Cole

Song You Should Know: For the Lover in You - Shalamar

New Video: Who Dat - J. Cole

New Music Blog: 7 Day Music Civilian

Beats and Love,

keep me where the light is

Throwback Column: My Place

Throwback Column: The Corner of the Sofa

We got the jazz, we got the jazz...

Did you just... congratulate me... for reading?

Sampled: Kisses Sweeter Than Wine -> Suckas

New Video: All of the Lights - Kanye West (must see!)

New Video: Bodies - Cee-Lo Green (must see!)