So I received a comment from Kate, a MTV representative [ :) ], concerning my opinion on their new show "Taking the Stage." I really appreciated the comment because I didn't know anyone was paying attention. Secondly, I must respond to her request to hold off until the second episode. I actually enjoy it more now. I still feel like I'm watching bad actors, but it is picking up. I really enjoyed Tyler and Mia's mash up. One word of advice, if we had followed the students around in like a True Life format, camera wiseI think it would feel more authentic.
A few months right before Exclusive and years prior to Ike-itus, Chris Brown recorded a snippet entitled "Hood Ridin" prod. by Dre & Vidal. It had great single potential and was better than his first choice off his sophomore album.Here it is in its full length glory. Thanks Hip Hop Pop ad R&B stop. Too bad my joy is overshadowed by his current situation.
Read this over at HipHopDX. Apparently the artist's show at a college in Minnesota was met with small protest. They sited his demeaning lyrics toward women as the root of their disgust. How ironic because he will be here at Indiana University April 24 for our Little 500 celebration. According to the article it did not deter Soulja Boy or the audience from a great show, but it does make you think.
I'm not going to lie, I enjoy a lil "Birdwalk" every now and then, but I did not buy his album, and I do not take him seriously. And i won't be attending his concert because I know for a fact that I am not the target audience.
Being 21 I am at the age where people begin to contemplate the future. Where they're going to reside, what career they will have, and who/when/if they'll get married. Frankly the latter is definitely last on my list, but I certainly have thought about one aspect of that occasion: the wedding song. It is sort of tradition, especially for black folks, to have a song sang at your wedding. The usual suspects include "I Swear," "Here and Now," "My Love, Sweet Love," "For You," and of course any ballad by Boyz II Men. My parents joined to Stevie Wonder's "Ribbon in the Sky."Usually we think of the bride making these decisions, but being the music freak that I am, I have my top three choices for matrimony theme songs selected.
1 | Diamonds & Pearls - This song echoes love. I've always loved it, and it goes beyond just the simple husband and wife bond. It is a bond between true friends.
2 | Love Ballad - I experienced this vow of love on the radio years ago and was completely hooked. The lyrics are so sincere and Jeffery Osbourne's conviction at the end tells of a love that doesn't compare to any other.
3 | Together Forever - I was obviously late on this song since everyone hails "If I Ever Fall in Love" as their hit single and best work. But their entire debut is laced with pure R&B gems. And this one speaks volumes.
Yeah. You're probably thinking the same thing. Why? Just for the record, I pick these songs shuffling my library, and we all have guilty pleasures on shuffle. Every Charles Elementary schoolgirl was yelling about "Girl Power" and "Spice up your life." I can't deny the force that was the Spice Girls. And this song was incredible. Sensual, romantic, all that mushy stuff the schoolgirls liked. I always liked the video. Looking back now, this song was kinda raunchy.
Did I miss the memo, or why does it seem like every song, hip-hop or R&B, has to install the annoying "hey hey hey hey" under the beat. Like I know we like to chant during our jams and what not i.e., Chubb Rock's "Treat Me Right" with the "Go, go, go, go" but...like EVERY song? For real? Examples:Keri Hilson is a multiple offender:Day26's (last) new single:Is it a Polow Da Don thing? Does it make a R&B song more hood? R&B and hood don't belong in the same sentence together.
I don't know any African American who didn't grow up listening to this group. I'm sure there are a few, but they are no acquaintance of mine. Friday nights were spent listening to their 3-disc compilation The Eternal Dance and the live album Gratitude. With a mix of funk, soul, rock, and gospel, Earth Wind & Fire is by far my favorite group of all time. And one can not mention EW&F without mentioning the signature love ballad led by Philip Bailey - "Reasons". And it has to be the LIVE version.
Taking it back to the old school when Disney could do no wrong and the dollar cinema still existed. "A Goofy Movie" detailed the story of Goofy and his teenage son Max, and the journey they take to understand each other as father and son, and as individuals. Funny film, but better theme song. Tevin Campbell's "I 2 I" finished out the film's climatic ending as Goofy crashed the concert of Max's favorite artist, and stole the show with that funny-looking fishing dance. Video belongs to Disney
The George Jefferson of our generation, Martin Lawrence, catapulted to the top with his 90s sitcom, "Martin." From Shenneneh to Jerome, Brutha Man to Hustle Man, the characters were one of a kind. And secretly every black person knew someone exactly like that. More than the characters were the lingering jokes about them; Cole's Big Shirley and Tommy's "job." One of my favorite episodes had to be Gina getting her head stuck in the new bed headboard.
"Where am I gonna put it man? Where am I gonna put it?!"
Noting says 90s more than Saturday nights between '94-'98/'99. What am I talking about you ask? Nickelodeon's SNICK! And everyone's favorite kid sketch comedy show Aaaaaaalllllllll That!
No other show had some of the most talented youth artists in comedy. The most memorable characters included "Repairman" and "Ed"by Kel Mithcell, who spawned the popular movie Goodburger; "Ishboo" and "Superdude," both by SNL cast memeber Kenan Thompson; Amanda Bynes' "Ask Ashley," and Lori Beth Denberg's "Vital Information for You Everyday Life."
Apart from the skits, was the entertainment. It was freakin Soul Train on Nick. (Because frankly people didn't watch Soul Train after the NJS era really) You had TLC singing the infectious theme song, along with acts like Brandy, Monica, Nicole Wray, Faith Evans, and LL Cool J on a kids show!!!
Everyone may agree that The First Lady of Bad Boy's best song was the 70s-ish "Love Like This," but I equally bumped her second single on her sophomore album Keep the Faith. Where "Love" was funky in love for the ladies, "All Night Long" was cool on the dance floor for the fellas.
Those are the two words, amidst an hour and a half of others, that the incredible Chuck D left me and a room of others. "Dumb shit flies fast," he said. We have to be able to detect it and stop it mid air. If we don't we become it. Besides this he also reminded us of what today is. Today is the day the voice of reason for black America was silenced 41 years ago in Memphis, TN. It is the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s death. I'll admit I awoke today with no acknowledgment. Talk about paying attention.
A few months right before Exclusive and years prior to Ike-itus, Chris Brown recorded a snippet entitled "Hood Ridin" prod. by Dre & Vidal. It had great single potential and was better than his first choice off his sophomore album.
Here it is in its full length glory. Thanks Hip Hop Pop ad R&B stop. Too bad my joy is overshadowed by his current situation.
Read this over at HipHopDX. Apparently the artist's show at a college in Minnesota was met with small protest. They sited his demeaning lyrics toward women as the root of their disgust. How ironic because he will be here at Indiana University April 24 for our Little 500 celebration. According to the article it did not deter Soulja Boy or the audience from a great show, but it does make you think.
I'm not going to lie, I enjoy a lil "Birdwalk" every now and then, but I did not buy his album, and I do not take him seriously. And i won't be attending his concert because I know for a fact that I am not the target audience.
I don't know any African American who didn't grow up listening to this group. I'm sure there are a few, but they are no acquaintance of mine. Friday nights were spent listening to their 3-disc compilation The Eternal Dance and the live album Gratitude. With a mix of funk, soul, rock, and gospel, Earth Wind & Fire is by far my favorite group of all time. And one can not mention EW&F without mentioning the signature love ballad led by Philip Bailey - "Reasons". And it has to be the LIVE version.
