Reminisce

411 | Vibe Magazine Closing Shop

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The recession has murdered another urban magazine, this time around the mega influential Vibe. Beginning in 1993 Vibe was the vision of Mr. Quincy Jones and helped usher in the 90s hip-hop & R&B scene. The magazine had just celebrated its 15th Anniversary last year. My dream job has been deferred. Spotted @ TSS

LIVE | Dream on, dream away

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One of my favorite tracks from the NJS Color Me Badd. They're whole identity was somewhat ahead of their time.

LOL | "Skank Robbers"

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The funniest moment of the BET Awards. Shout to my blog brother Julianno @ J 24/7.

New New | "She Ain't Got," LeToya Video

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I'm really feeling the track, though I like the recently released remix version a lil better. Can't wait for Lady Love. Look out B.

'98 | I don't get down

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I used to love this video. I remember trying to learn the choroegraphy, and had it pretty down pat. Monica was too fine. I would have definitely waited. Kudos for the all white/khaki contrast.

SICK | "Street Lights" video

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Javier Longobardo brings one of my favorite tracks from 808's & Heartbreak to animated life. Spotted @ Kanye's Blog.

411 | Madoff gets 150 years

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'97 | Whatcha gon' do when they come for you

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Beautiful telling of a all too common struggle in black love. Badu is torn between the love for her man and his "complex occupation."

BET Awards '09 | Don't Believe the Hype

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The word genius should never ever be associated with BET again until they rehire Donnie Simpson and stop trying to be the black MTV. Poor Michael could not even save this show or the future of the network through his death. What should have been a showcase of genius, in honor of the King, resulted in a colossal minstrel show, further identifying how the music was dying way before June 25th. So its time for the real viewers awards for the worst and few best moments.
  • Best Male : Joe Jackson for gracing the first row
  • Worst Male : tie between Soulja Boy for his swagg-less performance & the guy who booked Don Cornelius
  • Best Female : Janet Jackson delivering her heartfelt message
  • Worst Female(s): Vida & Star aka Tiny & Toya
  • Best Joke: tie between "Skank Robbers" and Jeremy Piven's truth about MJ's influence on all music
  • Worst Joke: Ving Rhames addition to the already finished "Baby Boy" skit
  • Best performance(s): tie between Maxwell and the O'Jays tribute
  • Worst performance(s): Young Money's thrawting of what we thought were the last minutes of the show. And who's smart idea was it to let those girls on stage for that song.
  • Best dressed: Included Taraji, Paula Patton, Keke Palmer, Ginuwine, Maxwell, etc.,
  • Worst dressed: Lil Mama (from the neck up, her hair was nasty) and B's wedding gown
  • Best moment: tie between Eddie Levert's uncensored s*bomb and Taraji P. Henson's jab at BET forever playing Baby Boy as she accepted her Best Actress award.
There were plenty of more things that just weren't right about the three 1/2 hour ordeal. Like how they would never announce the nominees. And the overall lack of flow in the show's transitions from segment to segment. Or BET's constant struggle to have proper audio on stage for their artists. And the array of future kcufery of Wendy, Tiny & Toya, Frankie & Neffe, and BET's game show? If they don't do something quick, BET is going to be history.

Ghosts

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Michael revisited his supernatural side with Ghosts, a mini-film which focused on a haunted house of dancing ghouls and the lost children who find them. I know there's a deeper meaning in there somewhere; perhaps it was in the folds of that fat guy. All parts on YouTube.

HIStory | SCREAM

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Michael. Janet. The most expensive video of all-time. And it still looks cold.

Heal the World

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Black or White

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Another classic. Who didn't want to be Macaulay Culkin then.

illlist | Remember the Time

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I remember watching this video and asking my dad, "How'd he do that!?!?!" The entire concept was classic. Hands down my favorite Michael video. The dance break is so sick, with all the Egyptian hands and what not. Too dope.


Dangerous | Jam

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When MJ met MJ. Mega hit and NJS banger which featured his Airness in his prime with the Chicago Bulls.


Bad | Full version

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Another episode from Michael's seventh album, which garnered a great parody from Mr. Weird.

Bad | Smooth Criminal

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The killer music movie from Michael's Bad, which was a part of the short film Moonwalker. Here he pulls one of the illist moves ever - the gravity-defying lean. Alien Ant Farm had a hit with their rock cover during TRL-ra.

411 | Billy Mays dies

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In the midst of continuous grieving, TV pitchman Billy Mays died Sunday morning after his wife found him at their home. Reports have not yet revealed a cause of death. He was 50 years old as well. Mays was famous for the cleaning agent OxiClean.Click above for news story.

411 | BET Awards Eve

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Tomorrow the black MTV will broadcast its annual Awards show, honoring those in music, film, sports, and culture. Jamie Foxx is set to host. With recent events details have spread of a definite Jackson tribute as the show will be dedicated to his memory. Performers include Beyonce, Jay-Z, Monica & Keyshia Cole, Fabolous, Ne-Yo, Soulja Boy, Maxwell, and Mary Mary. We will see how they play out; last year's was exciting with the revival of Maxwell and the Alica Keys performance, but other than that, its the same ol' artists.
The best had to be Monique's first run, with her classic opening set.
Immediately following the show, BET will premiere the video for Jay-Z's "D.O.A. (Death of Autotune)" from one of the most highly-anticipated albums of the year, The Blueprint 3.

Human Nature

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One of Michael's focuses in life became charitable efforts to improve our world. "Human Nature" is one of several message songs Jackson composed. Its influence has spawned other hits as well, including this popular hit for SWV.
And as a bonus, here is a blend I created entitled Human Nature is Given Here. This will be the final MJ post for today. We will continue tomorrow with my favorites hits and moments post-Thriller.

'09 | We Are Not Losers, We are Lasers

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Sighted @ the Smoking Section, Lupe Fiasco's trailer for his upcoming album. The message he's presenting has the potential to change the way we've seen hip-hop and culture as a whole. Kanye hinted at it with the Dropout; I see Lu making it reality right here. If people open their minds to something more than the current cool.

P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)

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Another classic from Jackson's sixth studio album. Here are recent songs which featured this song as a sample.




Billie Jean : Motown 25 Addition

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The birth of the Moonwalk.

Beat It

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Thriller

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The album. The music. The videos. Michael owned the industry with this, bursting racial and genre barriers over @ MTV and in households across America. The video that changed the game.

She's Out of My Life

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The song would later be covered by Ginuwine.

Live it Off the Wall

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Working Day And Night

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I heard this song in a 70s mix someone gave me and fell in love with it instantly.

New New | J. Period: Man or the Muisc Mixtape

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The tribute mixtapes are one and plenty, this one is one of my favorites highlighting some of Jackson's best work. Click pick to be tansferred to link. Shouts to TSS. http://i41.tinypic.com/2zdoheq.jpg

'79 | And we can ride the booige

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Seven years before my birth, Jackson was captivating the world with this dancefloor classic. One of my absoute favorites.

Off the Wall | Don't Stop Til' You Get Enough

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Michael's coming-of-age album. He began to craft his inevitable rise to the top of the charts with this R&B classic. With the help of friend Quincy Jones, this album spawned several classic we'll highlight today.

P School | Never Can Say Goodbye

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Words could never be anymore true. Song was recently flipped for Rhymefest's Man in the Mirror mixtape.
Last post for today. We will continue tomorrow with solo Michael and his gradual rise to becoming the king.

P School | I Want You Back

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Classic tune from their childhood days. Used in another kid acts debut single years later.

P School | Dancin' Machine

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The group continued well into the 70s. Here they are on the Merv Griffin show. J Dilla flipped the groovy tune for Q-Tip's The Renaissance with "Move."

P School | I'll Be There

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Epic song for group that stands the test of time. It reigned again in the 90s when a certain pop diva covered it for her MTV Unplugged concert.

'91 | You down with O.P.P.

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Naughty by Nature's slamming single featuring the "ABC" sample. I think this live performance is on Arsenio.

LIVE | The Roots debut single on Jimmy Fallon

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Working second shift I miss everything between 2:30-11, and by the time Jimmy comes on, I'm knocked. So here it is. Real music lives.

P School | ABC

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The hits keep comin', and the Jackson's keep influencing.

P School | It's Great to Be Here

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I didn't know it then, but this classic tune was the backdrop to one of my fave tracks from the ladies of 702.

P School | Got to be there

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1958-2009 | Michael Jackson

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A simple text message changed my entire night. Michael Jackson has died of cardiac arrest. I read in disbelief and utter astonishment. The man. The legend. The most influential artist of our time. The King of Pop. The greatest entertainer next to James Brown. The Bad, Dangerous Thriller, whose music was Invincible to the test of time. He moonwalked Off the Wall to the top of the charts and still maintains the best-selling album of all time. HIStory is one we all know and will never forget. This weekend will be dedicated to the little boy from Gary, Indiana who captivated the world with his art, and more importantly, his heart.

411 | Farrah Fawcett has died

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The Charlie's Angel star and 70s style icon has succumbed to her bout with cancer. Fawcett has passed just a day after legendary comedian Ed McMahon.

411 | Transformers: Racists in Disguise

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I haven't seen Transfomers 2: Revenge of the Fallen, but I can totally agree with what this story is hinting at. Apparently two characters in the sequel have strong resemblances and characteristics one would stereotype as being black. According to the story, the two new twin robots talk in street slang, are illiterate and one flaunts a gold tooth. This may be a startling revelation to some, but its nothing new. Everyone saw the first film in which Jazz, the obvious token of the group, spoke like a hood Barry White; busted in a breakdance early in the movie, and was the ONLY Autobot, I REPEAT the ONLY Autobot, to perish in battle. Hmmm? Doesn't the last scenario sound very similar too several black characers usual demise in Hollywood movies.

'04 | Steady tryin to find a motive

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I preferred my Akon fresh out the joint. From his debut album Trouble.

? | Everybody loves Chris?

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Props to RapRadar

411 | Homeless student eyes Harvard

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A touching story over @ CNN today of 17-year-old Kenneth Chancey. Chancey is a honor student, athlete, and class president. Despite his academic excellence and hopes to attend Harvard, Chancey his sister and father are homeless. Click title for details. sidebar: Incredible story of this brother and I commend him on his achievements, but why must we classify "home" as a house with a picket fence. Home is where the heart is. His family has probably struggled to maintain some form of normality; however, it is clear to see that he has triumphed over adversity. Maybe students indifferent to the importance of a quality education should experience life without necessities. Put things in perspective.

'02 | Say the titties is out

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Single off of Nas' God's Son. I had never really listened to him as a kid, he was always over my head -- or my parents said I was too young. Joint goes hard.

MESS | Aubrey O'Day readies reality show

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Story @ MTV
The silicon diva prepares for her close up. That's right another reality show geared for the talentless. So i guess being a reality star is a new profession. You don't have to release a quality album, film, contribute to the better good of society, or even look presentable. Just kcuf up four chicks money and your set.

New New | "So Fine", Sean Paul

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It's been a minute since we've heard from the island boi. Glad to hear some summer heat from him; he always guarantees something to shake dat thang too. Shout to HHPRnB Stop.

New New | "The Mayor" Pac Div

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Sighted @ The Smoking Section. Pac Div has been killing it this year and have had me hooked since "Fat Boys."

New New | "Work", Ciara ft. Missy Elliott

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Here's CiCi's video for the UK single "Work" featuring Missy Elliott. While its great to hear a decent track from Fantasy (Flop) Ride, its eh? I really liked the Web's Missy-free version better. And i still rock "Go Girl" any chance I get; I thought it was a legit single. T-Pain. Check. Tight video. Check. Signature Ciara-only moves. Check. What happened?


411 | Cuz you don't know his story

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Instead of waiting for VH1 to honor artists with a special Behind the Music episode, chronicling one's early years, rise to fame, fall from grace, and inevitable return to glory; celebrities hit the instant gratification button and settle for mediocre reality shows. Next up...Scott Storch?

G.O.O.D. Music for a Good Cause by Lorin Williams

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G.O.O.D. Music for a Good Cause by Lorin Williams Shared via AddThis

LOL | Blow the Kush in their face

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A man invented this didn't he? Spotted @ bestweekever.tv

'93 | I get soooo...

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Classic hit from the sistas with voices, SWV's debut album It's About Time. Coko is a beast and the produciton from Brain Alexander Morgan is pure R&B heaven. I don't know anyone who doesn't like this song. Video is random though.

8709 Special | My whole life has changed

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The now wedding classic, "Differences" played out as the perfect vows from a new groom to his beautiful bride. Or devoted husband to equally joined wife. From The Life.

8709 Special | Stingy x Final Warning

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Two songs that didn't receive video treatment, but are solid efforts nonetheless. First is "Stingy" from the Barbershop Soundtrack. This was my jam.
The second is the crafty pairing of Ginuwine and Aaliyah from his second album, "Final Warning." Love the production on this one.

8709 Special | But what the hell is different

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One of my favorites from 100% Ginuwine. Tim warps listeners with the subtle pterodactyl beneath bumps of the pulsing synths and lullaby melody.

8709 Special | This is what it sounds like

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Definitely not one of his bests. The bed scene always made me say hmmm? Very Bram Stoker's Dracula.

8709 Special | Any more room for me?

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Elgin struck gold again with this bed banger. This got so played out the summer of '03, right before my sophomore year of high school. I got downright tired of this song. From fourth album The Senior.


8709 Special | It's 10:10, where u been?

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. -
This ish right here nigga. This ish right here!?! This did for Ginuwine what "Nice & Slow" did for Usher; what "Bump & Grind" did for R. Kelly; what Playboy did for Hugh Hefner. Play this at any gathering, and I guarantee every chick will break a sweat. Changed the game wit this one.

411 | Another one bites the dust

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Reality's killed another relationship, this time in the shoe that Jon & Kate built. Apparently the TLC parents have decided to divorce following the socking revelation of Jon's affair. BUT, the show will continue as planned. Am I really the only one that saw this coming. I never watched the show, but when I did all they did was bicker in between takes of Kate answering questions from viewers while Jon sat back as her 9th child. Love and TV for regular people don't seem to mix. Just ask Nick and Jessica, Travis Barker and that one chick from Miami Blue, and more recently the Hulk and his wife. The only ones have escaped danger are Tori and Dean and Speidi, but that's because TV beget both of them.

411 | Back to the Future

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According to this vid sent to me from 90sToInfinty on YouTube, a lot of 90s artists will be releasing new projects this year and in 2010. Can't wait. Who are you looking forward to hearing most?

New New | "The Last Airbender" Trailer

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By the time Nickelodeon aired Avatar: the Last Airbender, I had to be too old for those imaginative tales of sorcery wars between good and evil.....NOT! I never really watched it religiously but my inner geek can't get enough of these. And with M. Night Shyamalan at the helm, this could be really good. Plus Slumdog's Dev Patel is set to play the villian.

8709 Special | There you go

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From G's third LP, The Life. He parted from Tim's production for a more soulful sound with future singles. This swan song to an ungrateful lover was too cold. A lil' tongue-in-cheek response to them independent sistas wanting someone to pay them damn bills. Watching this now seems very similar to a latter Chris Brown video.

8709 Special | "Bridge to Love" Ginuwine ft. Brandy

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Beautiful duet off the new album with another 90s legend Brandy. Definite single potential.

8709 Special | Ginuwine 4 Ur Mind

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Today marks the release of 90s R&B great Ginuwine's new album A Man's Thoughts. I will be purchasing the disc, which you should do the same. Before then let's take a look back on some of G's most popular hits. Let's begin with what I believe was the second single from Ginuwine....The Bachelor. This is one of Tim's sickest beats imo.


New New | "Kinda Like a Big Deal", Clipse ft. Kanye West

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Spotted @ G.O.O.D. Music Blog the video for The Clipse's first single off their highly-anticipated third album Till the Casket Drops. Video goes hard as well as the song. Perfect song for senior year of college...Class of '10, We're kinda like a big deal!

BAM | Best I Ever Had

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Dope! Lil girl @ the end KILLS IT!

New New | Teach me how to Jerk

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Keep it 100: If they play this ish in the club, you're gon feel left out NOT knowing how to do this. I'm going to pay attention cuz I don't hug the wall. I'm the first one there, and the last one to leave. Although this def for the nimble LOL.

Channel Surfin' | Roc

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If you remember this show, you are a true 90skd. Charles S. Dutton shined as the hard-working, stubborn Baltimore native living with his wife Eleanor, his brother Joey, and his father Andrew. One of the best forgotten shows of the 90s. The comedy-drama excelled with critics, but alas suffered from low ratings. It also featured the lovely ladies of En Vogue who sang the theme song in latter seasons. sideabar : Clifton Powell was a neighborhood's worst nightmare as drug king and Roc's arch villian Andre. BET should ditch One on One and revisit this classic. Click pick for a stroll down memory lane.

'99 | I think I better leave

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This was my jam. From Ideal's self-titled debut. R&B to the fullest. It seems a bunch of groups popped up around that time i.e. Profyle, Ruff Endz, J.E. etc., Variety.

'07 | Watch my feet

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Probably the most original and difficult dance to master next to Riverdance (for blk ppl). Dude N Nem showcased the Chi-Town style of jukin'. Remarkably it was quite similar to the Bmore movement as well.

'07 | Aaaaaaaahhhhh!!!

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Seems forever ago that we were amazed by the intricate choreography of the new Soulja Boy dance. Haha, and you know this was the vid everyone watched to learn the dance too.

'01 | Make this money, take this money

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This wasn't a dance song, but these kids kilt the Harlem Shake in this video. Too sick. WHAT HAPPENED TO BAD BOY...REAL TALK!?!?

8709 Classic | The Electric Slide

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WARNING : When partaking in any event with African Americans where rhythms or beats are audible to the human ear, please believe one brave soul will break the ice with this easy as A,B,C, simple as 1,2,3 line dance.

'95 | Aaaa-Aye!!!!

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You'd be lying if you said you never did this dance at any public event, party, get together, school skate, family reunion, wedding banquet, talent show, or in the privacy of your own home. The inescapable "Macarena."

'84 | Voltron

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Before there were Pokeman. Before anyone loathed to be the Blue Ranger. There was Voltron: Defender of the Universe. This was too kick ass. I remember reading that they were trying to reinvent this for a live action film.

'03 | Hands on your knees

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Almost surpassed the Electric Slide as the number 1 black dance. Version will vary. sidebar: What the hell is a "Charlie Brown?"

'97 | I put my hand upon your hip

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That's right, Freak Nasty wit "Da Dip." Disregard this horrible video. You know this song was crack at the parties.

Remix | Understanding

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Xscape's beautiful ballad given a little bite. I miss remixes like this. Shout to icecoldbruh on YouTube.

8709 Special | Everybody dance now...

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Everyone who deems themselves a lover of hip-hop foams at the mouth when it comes to dance tracks. Artists like Soulja Boy and D4L - which I admit are not known for their lyrical prowess in the game - are only recycling a pop culture method that has worked since Chubby did the twist. Dance crazes have always been extremely successful because of the pure fun they ensue. If the songs aren't your cup of tea, that is understandable, but don't hate and say it isn't hip-hop. We can't be cypher soldiers all the time, dip and let your backbone slip. That is why today I'll be highlightin some of the best dance songs of all time.
The Butterly, uh uh that's old....

New New | "Back to the Feature" Wale/9th Wonder

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Everyone probably has it by now, but here is the highly-anticipated follow-up to Wale's The Mixtape About Nothing. Finally. Click pic to download. Via The Smoking Section

P School | Someway, somehow

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Love this song. Rufus ft. Chaka Khan from the album Street Player. I know of only one other voice to conquer this the way Chaka did.

New New | "The Medium" Southeast Slim

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New mixtape from the DMV's own Southeast Slim. May have heard him on the DMV mixtape with "The Bomb" and more recently "Shake Your Plaits," both featuring Wale. Should be good. Click album cover to download. Shout to elitaste.com.

LOL | She got curls too

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Caught this hilarious spoof @ 2dopeboyz. Too funny. This is what we call operation activator.
LMAO!!!!

411 | Roker interrogates pure evil

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Al Roker grills our favorite couple, right next to fire & gasoline, Spencer Pratt & Heidi Montag a.k.a. Speidi. This is a match made in celebrity hell. Why NBC regulate the weather man to talk to these waste of flesh.

MESS | Its a family affair???

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Literally. Allegations are spreading that actor Morgan Freeman has been having a relations with his 27-year-old step-daughter. I had suspicions of freakdom around the time of his divorce and that car incident; but, never in my wildest dreams would I expect something like this. But hey Woody Allen married his step-daughter and they lived happily ever after, right!?! I guess we're surprised because he's BLACK. Yup I said it. And you know you were thinking it too.Maybe it was on his bucket list. Okay I'm done.

'88 | Its Friday night!

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This was the jam from Johnny Kemp. Enjoy the weekend!

411 | Child forgives assailaint

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A young man who was paralyzed by a thief's stray bullet committed the most beautiful act - he forgave the shooter. Story @ BET.com. This young man holds wisdom beyond his years, and we should strive to maintain similar values.

P School | C....O O L

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Off The Time's debut album from '81. Cool. PBP.

'73 | Robin Hood

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Definitely not a 8709 classic, but this was a sure-fire way to get us kids to be quiet for an hour and half on any given day. Disney's telling of the rogue hero of Sherwood Forest was one of my favorites growing up. Even the most complicated stories of society mores can be lightened with talking animals. Poverty? Crime? Politics? Just add a singing rooster.

REMIX | Before You Walk Out of My Life

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Pete Rock reworks Monica's classic single from her debut Miss Thang. These are the type of remixes I like; give me the same song remixed. No different vocals or multiple collaborators.

'02 | Are your eyes still green girl?

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Ode to love from Mr. Sense and the 'one' Mary. Although his '02 effort, Electric Circus received harsh reviews, this song stands out. Mostly because of the unique video. This is the type of video your mom enjoys as well.

illist | Obama kills fly

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That's G.

PBP | Ooooooooooooooh!?!?

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So this is the excuse for T-Pain's nigroant chain? Whatever let's you sleep at night. Funny or not, T-Pain = THE Pain.

? | Ace boon......coon?!?!

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Whose idea was it to create this moniker as the new term of endearment?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/Zip_Coon_sheet_music.jpg

MESS | Tiny & Toya

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Black Exploitation Television does it again with the highly-anticipated(?) Tiny & Toya. For those who try their darnest to stray from nigroance; Tiny is former Xscape member and present wifey to T.I.; Toya is the ex-wife and baby mama of proud-father-to-be(?) Lil' Wayne. This show will finally answer all those burning questions on everyone's mind:....Shoot me up once someone reveals them to me and the general public.

'93 | Cool Runnings

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I totally forgot about this movie. A great 90skd favorite tells the story of four Jamaicans who surprise the world as competitors in the Olympic Winter games as bobsledders. Yup that, was the joke; black people, snow, ice, cold. Not really funny today huh? But a classic nonetheless. Starred the great John Candy in one of his last films, Leon, and 90s funny dude Doug E Doug.Loosely based on a true story.

411 | Browns' Stallworth gets 30....

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....Days that is in the death of a construction worker. According to CNN, Donte Stallworth hit and killed Mario Reyes back in March. Stallworth was driving under the influence at the time. In conjunction with the sentencing he and the Reyes family agreed on a settlement and Stallworth will seve two years of house arrest. So far he remains on the Browns roster and will play next season. I know we never wanna see a brother become a part of the system, but thirty days for taking someone's life. Inadvertenly nonetheless, but we all know the risk we pose when we get behind the wheel after drinking. Now thinking bout it though, thirty days in jail do not compare to a lifetime of guilt he will have to endure every morning.

'99 | Ain't that Brandy's brother?

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The only other track by Mr. Norwood I can honestly admit to enjoying publicly. It probably mostly has to do with the Neptune. But I digress.

'93 | I have a real man problem

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I really don't know why our parents let us listen to this. I couldn''t have been more than six years old. The only song I remember from Queen of the Pack.

? | To Do List

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June
  • Purchase Ginuwine's A Man's Thoughts
  • Listen to J. Cole's The Warm Up
  • Star Trek (Late I know)
  • Back to the Feature Friday (YES)
July
  • Purchase Maxwell's BLACKsummersnight
  • Fourth of July with family
  • Vacation from work

'95 | I don't mind

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Slow jam classic from Changing Faces; another product of the then-great Robert Kelly.