tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27866433525302261162024-03-13T08:04:26.586-04:00rhythm and bliss.:i'm in your system:.Ms. Shaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138291409955439996noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786643352530226116.post-44195759466877393782009-03-24T13:55:00.003-04:002009-03-24T14:05:19.930-04:00Knock You Down<object width="448" height="374"><param name="movie" value="http://videos.onsmash.com/e/HWkTmhrU59CGPPYD&ccolor=65FFCC"><param name="allowFullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://videos.onsmash.com/e/HWkTmhrU59CGPPYD&ccolor=65FFCC" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allownetworking="all" allowscriptaccess="always" width="448" height="374"></embed></object><br /><br />Keri Hilson drops the video for '<a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/57545384cdb33254/">Knock You Down</a>' to coincide with the album release. Watchin Kanye and Ne-Yo fighting over Keri is like...it might be the funniest thing ever. The tension should have come to blows and then I could have given the whole thing 4 stars. But because that's missing I give it a 'meh'. As a fan of fuckery Kanye's appearance in anything is welcome from me but aside from that and Ne-Yo's face, not a whole lot going on. I did peep her MJ move at Ye's line but she didn't even act out Joe Jackson's part. Now be fair, Keri!Ms. Shaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138291409955439996noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786643352530226116.post-28299609098678934402009-03-24T01:00:00.003-04:002009-03-23T17:17:38.321-04:00In A Perfect World<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/ScfdQ9rmArI/AAAAAAAAAM4/HrHU0KTAKdA/s1600-h/KeriIAPW.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/ScfdQ9rmArI/AAAAAAAAAM4/HrHU0KTAKdA/s400/KeriIAPW.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316461168639214258" border="0" /></a><br />After producing hits for an endless list of pop and R&B artists, songwriter and Clutch production team graduate, Keri Hilson's album <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-World-Keri-Hilson/dp/B001EOQTTC"><span style="font-style: italic;">In A Perfect World</span></a> will be in stores soon. I've been trying to give myself a little bit of time to let it sink in instead of making a snap judgment because a snap judgment on this from me may not have given her her due. Keri is a talented singer and writer but her voice falls into a range where it isn't immediately interesting like some other popular R&B singers out at the moment. It isn't soulful and pleading like Jazmine Sullivan's, or taunting and bizzare like Rihanna's...I could go on but the reality is that on first listen her voice is almost boring and it tends to get lost in her precision beats. Like it's an album full of great songs that sound like they were recorded for other artists to select and re-record. However, you simply can't deny the production of the music and thankfully she has guests to fill out the roster so I find myself nodding along. So it's okay Keri, I forgive you.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Breakdown</span><br /><br />Intro - She reps her state, city, click The Clutch, and body. It's the same kinda shit talkin, slick talkin that got her in trouble with Beyonce and Ciara, allegedly. But it sounds nice.<br /><br />Turnin Me On - The single that I hear 8 times a day at work. I'm sick of it but I guess that's just an indicator of success. Lil Wayne babbles at the end of it also but i'm not surprised to hear him anywhere. I become alarmed when I don't hear Weezy on a track, I wonder what happened and whether he's sick.<br /><br />Set Your Money Up - It's nice to hear Keyshia Cole talkin slick on a fast track and Trina's on it too but this pretty much sounds like a gold diggers anthem. "We don't like them broke boys, we don't like them broke boys!"<br /><br />Return the Favor - The melody reminds me of Timbaland and Keri's 'The Way I Are"...Timbo's also on the track and the two of them talkin about sexin each other is not my favorite thing at all.<br /><br />Knock You Down - Great pop song. Yeezy and Ne-Yo really fill out the track and it sounds good and feels good. Kanye's back doing what made him a star...talkin bout Michael Jackson's crazy ass.<br /><br />Slow Dance - Sexy, synth track. It sounds like something I would absolutely love to hear Tweet sing on but Keri does it justice.<br /><br />Make Love - Whenever I hear this vocal arrangement I think 4 NonBlondes <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXcQGsoDkDk">'What's Up"</a> But barring that (or because of it), I think it's a decent song. She manages to do this thing with her voice that gives it a raspy quality. It's still clean but this is one of the better vocalizations on the album. Kanye was obviously in the video to upset everyone.<br /><br />Intuition - This track is about assuming your man ain't shit from before you get in the relationship. Even though I don't condone that way of thinking it's pretty relate-able and listenable. It uses eastern instruments and sounds like the things Timbo and Missy used to do three or four albums back but warmed over. Remember them days? Good times.<br /><br />How Does it Feel? - Come to find out she was right about dude and this song is about tellin him she can leave. It's also a hit, but kind of repetitive. Production is nothing new but its executed well, steady drums, triumphant horns, Polow tha Don, etc.<br /><br />Alienated - Awesome song. It has a delicate strange, futuristic, quality which is spot on for a song about feeling alone and <span style="font-style: italic;">alienated</span>. Feels like cruising through bizzare, lifeless landscapes in a spaceship. So when you hear 'You're the reason I don't change my number/ want you to know it's still the same.." you feel the longing. There's pleading, reaching, feeling. This is one of the best on the album.<br /><br />Tell Him The Truth - Slow somber song about having to confess a secret but not wanting to. The beat is simple, synth guitar over slow rhythmic drum beats and clicks with a repetitious hook. But, she recognizes the negative space is an opportunity to stretch the vocal chords and she does.<br /><br />Change Me - That song that sounds like that other song and it has Akon on it like every other song on the radio. It's not bad but it's just not interesting and listening to Akon doing his best Seal impression and sounding like Wyclef is just not something I would prefer to subject myself to.<br /><br />Energy - Another dope song. You've heard the single. And seen the sexy ass video <span style="font-style: italic;">(I gotta get cut like that one day)</span>.<br /><br />Where Did He Go? - Warm synths and vocal layering that makes a pretty song about getting over a break up.<br /><br />Keri does a damn good job with this album. It's not good enough to warrant her making diss tracks about anybody really but I suppose she eventually remembered that and <span style="font-style: italic;">corrected</span> herself. I don't see her becoming a close to my heart favorite of mine like the Wino but this is a solid album with, as expected, excellent production. Even the throwaways could be singles for more popular artists and we'd have to listen to them at the club and on the way too and from everywhere on earth unless we turn off the car radio. Anyways, you should go check it out.Ms. Shaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138291409955439996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786643352530226116.post-53083626618760692102009-03-23T14:14:00.004-04:002009-03-23T14:44:05.324-04:00Love and Sex and Magic<object width="448" height="374"><param name="movie" value="http://videos.onsmash.com/e/VK66n3edSfLju8eV&ccolor=98FFCC"><param name="allowFullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://videos.onsmash.com/e/VK66n3edSfLju8eV&ccolor=98FFCC" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allownetworking="all" allowscriptaccess="always" width="448" height="374"></embed></object><br /><br />Ciara feat. Justin Timberlake - Love Sex Magic<br /><br />So this highly anticipated Ciara and JT video has dropped. I don't know if the star power is what created the anticipation but from the looks of this <a href="http://vodpod.com/watch/1446235-ciara-ft-justin-timberlake-love-sex-magic-preview">silly ass 60 second trailer</a> I knew that fuckery was in store. I never really found Justin Timberlake to be able to convey sexy that well but if he can have half a chance at faking it, it's at the hands of a sexpot energy from his co star. Ciara is pullin out the stops but she ends up lookin like the stripper with no ass at the club, workin her little heart out for your dollars. <span style="font-style: italic;">Please Mister, have a heart.</span> All the ropes and heels and fishnets are just not bringing the sexy. But I do give Ciara a gold star for trying, and for looking damn good while trying. But let's face it <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vPyzCHgZ88">Promise</a> was the sexiest video that I've seen from her and she was in sweatpants. Stop forcing it people! <span style="font-style: italic;">Let it move through you...niiiice and sloooww..mmm, thats it...</span><br />Anyway back to the song itself. The video does help me stomach the song a bit because it basically sounds like a track that J Lo would have stole from Christina Milian back in the day and then decide not to use anyway. But in all I don't know how I feel about this direction. I hate it when artists twist themselves into bizzare situations, I'm all for evolution but it ought to be a natural evolution. Ciara is sexier doing the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hk94QHnkxzw">stanky-leg</a> with Snoop Dogg than she is in bondage gear and selling ass in heels. But it's a recession so I can feel her, just not the music.Ms. Shaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138291409955439996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786643352530226116.post-68877470106356637892009-03-12T00:57:00.004-04:002009-03-12T01:03:47.195-04:00I Like Sex and I'm Good At It<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SbiXc2xOuEI/AAAAAAAAAMo/DcM5Hku6b-w/s1600-h/john-mayer.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SbiXc2xOuEI/AAAAAAAAAMo/DcM5Hku6b-w/s400/john-mayer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312162282477631554" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The irascible John Mayer and his foray into hip-hop.<br /><a href="http://johnmayer.com/battlestudies/?post=25">Source</a> via the internet<br /><br />Do you believe him?<br /><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iAWfvkGMR0s&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iAWfvkGMR0s&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object>Ms. Shaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138291409955439996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786643352530226116.post-39404168186693909292009-03-04T11:01:00.002-05:002009-03-04T12:02:47.469-05:00Lil Wayne - Prom Queen<object width="448" height="374"><param name="movie" value="http://videos.onsmash.com/e/Glu7kELf6SicLCRI"><param name="allowFullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://videos.onsmash.com/e/Glu7kELf6SicLCRI" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allownetworking="all" allowscriptaccess="always" width="448" height="374"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Prom Queen</span><br /><br />So the video for Lil' Wayne's 'Prom Queen' premiered recently and I found it a lot easier to watch when I left the sound off. This song is one of Weezy's latest "eclectic" efforts and I really can't do it with him this round. But I also know that there are lots of things I can't fucking stand that get inexplicable love from the masses and this I presume shall be no different.<br /><br />Thoughts<br />- O Hai Thar! Is that Ms. Katrina LaVerne? <br />- The moshpit scene is the most staged and confused moshpit scene I have ever observed. Hannah Montana and them can go harder than that!<br />- I never see this many black women in rock videos. I'll tentatively drop that in the positive box for safe keeping.<br />- Ron Howard passed on the cameo because the set was not trill enough for his liking.Ms. Shaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138291409955439996noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786643352530226116.post-33699494357518883572009-02-22T18:11:00.029-05:002009-02-22T22:41:11.574-05:002009 Oscars<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SaHcGYs25gI/AAAAAAAAAMg/LWz1vahB-Bw/s1600-h/oscars_460x276.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SaHcGYs25gI/AAAAAAAAAMg/LWz1vahB-Bw/s400/oscars_460x276.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305763838287078914" border="0" /></a>I'm sure you know the drill. Tonight is the Academy's 51st Motion Picture Awards Ceremony and I will be liveblogging it. Check back during the show and/or follow me on twitter.<br /><br />8:29 - Sippity sip sip.<br />8:30 - SHOW STARTS. A brilliant crystal set design. It's got old world glam and I love that stuff<br />8:31 - Hugh Jackman takes the stage.<br />8:32 - He takes a dig at New Zealand. Ouch, can't you guys get along?<br />8:33 - Now he's performing a music number...I'm gonna throw my remote somewhere with my eyes closed so that I don't change the channel.<br />8:34 - He busted an ill move with the "Craigslist?" dancers<br />8:35 - Performing Frost/Nixon with Anne Hathaway<br />8:36 - Now he's a performing a hot ass mess with some people in silver suits<br />8:40 - Hugh's gonna be a decent host. he's quite the showman<br />8:43 - Tilda Swinton looks alien and sexy.<br />8:44 - Whoopi's dress says 'So you want me to wear a dress huh? I'll show you a dress alright, i'm gonna wear some bullshit, and ima wear it to the Oscars."<br />8:47 - The Best Supporting Actress goes to Penelope Cruz. She looks kinda platinum quincenera but she actually looks great<br />8:52 - Tina Fey and Steve Martin take the stage in a comedy bit. "to write is to live forever, the man who wrote that is dead." Then they take a dig at Scientology.<br />8:57 - Dustin Lance Black wins the Best Screenplay award for 'Milk' gives a pretty equal rights speech.<br />8:59 - Best Adapted Screenplay goes to Simon Beufoy for Slumdog Millionaire. I didn't love this movie but I didn't see the other ones so maybe it deserved it. Good for him/them/everyone/whatever<br />9:02 - Jack Black and Jen Aniston present the nominees for Best Animated Feature. Jack Black's muggung is amusing/tolerable but the montage makes zero sense. Camera cuts away to Angelina who giggles knowingly.<br />9:06 - Wall-E wins it.<br />9:08 - The Best Animated Short award goes to a polite asian man who says Sank You like a dozen times and then ends w Domo Arigato and scurries of stage. I laugh because I am culturally deficient in many ways.<br />9:15 - Daniel Graig's sexy ass saunters onstage with Sarah Jessica Parker whose dress I hate. They present nominees for Best Art Direction.<br />9:17 - Goes to Benjamin Button..yawning<br />9:31 - Okay Natalie Portman takes the stage and Ben Stiller comes out doin a disheveled insane Joaquin Phoenix impression complete w beard and sunglasses. Natalie kills him and says "you look like you work at a Hassidic meth lab"<br />9:35 - Slumdog takes it for best cinematography<br />9:39 - Jessica Biel comes out lookin like she rolled out of bed,wrapped the silksheets around her toga style and pulled her hair back. She presents some technical award and proceeds to bore the sht outta me with a category that would be interesting had it been presented on the Discovery Channel<br />9:41 - A commercial airs for what looks like a hilarious tragedy starring Jamie Foxx as an insane musician<br />9:42 - Seth Rogen and James Franco reprise their Pineapple Express roles and remind me how I should be watching this award show. High as shit! This interlude is pretty funny, Franco kinda confuses Robert Downey Jr. for Barack Obama<br />9:47 - Oscar goes to some folks with thoroughly unpronounceable names, Seth and Franco Present the award and giggle at the names like school children. I love it.<br />9:52 - Hugh comes back go do another fancy dandy musical number. Then he's joined by Beyonce in a red sequin Shug Avery getup. They perform some musical numbers while my blood pressure rises.<br />9:56 - The HighSchool Musical kids join them and I will never forgive the Academy.<br />10:04 - Cuba is trying to bu funny... embarassing himself though.<br />10:06 - Ledger gets the Oscar for the Joker. Amazing performance. He totally deserved it, His performance was amazing<br />10:09 - His family accepts the award for him and gives a polite and moving speech honoring his memory. It's nice.<br />10:13 - Documentary montage pops on screen, this dude with the most unruly set of teeth i've seen in some time says something. I lol.<br />10:14 - Bill Mahr plugs Religulous and the award goes to Man on a Wire, this little frenchman is adorable, and then he balances the Oscar on his face! *clapping*<br />10:25 - Will Smith comes onstage to present for Outstanding Visual Effects...tries to be funny...fading<br />10:26 - All the action movies get shtted on and it goes to Benjamin Button...yay<br />10:30 - Nominees for soundmixing are...Oscar goes to Slumdog...<br />10:35 - Nominees for editing are...Oscar goes to Slumdog...<span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">headache again, tired..will smith acknowledges he is inexplicably still on stage tryna make this borin sht sound interesting<br />10:40 - I QUIT THIS BITCH. Gonna lay down I can't make it through. Sorry people but if you are watching this then you have my sympathy.<br /></span></span>Ms. Shaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138291409955439996noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786643352530226116.post-27371040103912467532009-02-18T19:12:00.004-05:002009-02-18T20:08:58.618-05:00So Far Gone<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SZywX_2wj-I/AAAAAAAAAMY/jbbZKpJjeMc/s1600-h/drake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 326px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SZywX_2wj-I/AAAAAAAAAMY/jbbZKpJjeMc/s400/drake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304308387460190178" border="0" /></a><br />I might as well touch down to let y'all know what's been rocking my world lately. <span style="font-style: italic;">So Far Gone</span> is the latest mixtape from Drake, the Canadian rapper of Degrassi fame. Well, I'm something of a long time listener first time caller. I've enjoyed his style for a while but I never really spoke about him, because no one else (that I know) really seemed to know or care who he was but with the positive buzz surrounding his latest effort I'm comfortable enough to lean over to you and tell you with confidence that if you don't know, you need to ask somebody. As is customary with mixtapes 'Drizzy' rides over a lot of other artists beats but he's done a great job of making each track his own and not just sounding like noise over a great instrumental. He, for instance, remixes Lykke Li's '<a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4iqqb_lykke-li-little-bit_music">Little Bit</a>' and adds his own dimension to the already haunting sort-of love song. He also beasts through Santogold's 'Unstoppable' again, making you wonder how he wasn't already on the track in the first place. This mixtape is great winter music, which is something I've been on the hunt for lately. Live, but not too exuberant. Just haunting hymns and heavy shit that you can drive through dusky snow covered landscapes to. <span style="font-style: italic;">808</span>'s type shit. '<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5B-Om-sRDU">Successful</a>' featuring Lil Wayne and Trey Songz is the track that I would say exemplifies that.<br />'Drizzy' isn't a gangster and he mostly raps about his actual current life as a pseudo celebrity and yet he is lyrically compelling. I'm willing to venture that the only time he's seen shots fired was that very special episode of Degrassi when he <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzYzRmhPYmc">became a cripple</a> but hey, it's only entertainment. I would say that this mixtape has been getting attention not simply because it shows that he can rap, but that he can make an album of listenable songs. I know it's great to be able to 'spit hot fiyah' but it's pretty annoying when your favorite mixtape rapper has no concept of bridges and arrangement and just barrels down each track as if the beats were irrelevant. Do you even like music or do you just like to rap? Enough of my ranting just cop this shit.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.zshare.net/download/5557056704f4d392/"><br />Drake - So Far Gone</a>Ms. Shaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138291409955439996noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786643352530226116.post-78345643396347874542009-02-12T22:37:00.003-05:002009-02-12T22:45:18.708-05:00Next Selection<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SZTrG8188GI/AAAAAAAAAMI/isj9QYoYHpw/s1600-h/ryan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SZTrG8188GI/AAAAAAAAAMI/isj9QYoYHpw/s400/ryan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302121165966078050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Ryan Leslie</span> - Ryan Leslie<br /><span xmlns=""><br /><p>With all the recent talk about the young prince of R&B getting slap happy and stupidly ruining his career over teenage drama there's still a lot of sympathy for the young boy. I can admit I get a sinking feeling whenever I see the young, Black and talented take a downward spiral, regardless of whose at fault. But, to the left I say, to the left. There's other talented cats out there who can't quite dance but who are better musicians and just as light skinned (I'm not saying it matters but whatever helps), they just may be lacking a bit in the charm department. Enter R. Les. The Nerd. A Weirdo. He's incredibly talented and incredibly slept on. I've <a href="http://rhythm-and-bliss.blogspot.com/2008/09/so-lemme-find-out-i-got-you-amy-wind.html">discussed</a> how his social skills or lack thereof may be holding him back but most likely forces greater than that (Diddy) are the reason this boy has had limited success because quite frankly the entertainment business is supposed to be a refuge for social deviants and he certainly isn't the first of them …or the most repulsive.<br /></p><p>This brings me to Ryan Leslie's self titled album, the follow up to the 2005 release, <em>Just Right</em> which apparently never reached stateside. The album has all the innovative funk balanced at just the right hit-making tempo's that we've come to expect from R. Les. He makes music that suits his nasal vocals and even when he raps you don't quite cringe as much as you thought you would. Clever and self deprecating lines like "If my record don't sell, we'll still go diamond" only endear me to Mr. Leslie further. His album has an electric mellow sound that calls upon his skills as a producer. The tracks don't ever exceed the almost spastic energy of 'Diamond Girl' nor do they sink lower than the sparing synth intensity of Addiction but this isn't a criticism, he simply has an even center he remains in for most of the album. He utilizes the electric guitars on 'Quicksand' and any number of sound FX kits on the track and croons about some pretty girl that he's pining after yet again, but it's really one of my favorite joints on the album in spite of his rhyming emotional with emotional over and over again. You can actually listen to the whole album through and not really be conscious of anything he's said. It's not that his lyrics are awful, they just aren't really important. Leslie seems to layer the vocals over the track as if they were any other instrument, using whatever words sound right. As if to make a point about the irrelevance of the lyrics in his song making process he includes a track titled ' Gibberish' where he basically talks out of his ass about 'lust' 'love' and 'moonlight' and 'ghosts?' There really aren't any words and yes I sat there like an ass for 1:12 trying to figure out if he actually was saying something relevant, but he wasn't. The point is the track was aight in spite of that and I'll give him his props for that, and for tricking me. Honestly, I could attempt to describe how there's comfort in the complexity and the simplicity of the music of R. Les but you really should just cop the album.<br /></p><p>Favorite Tracks<br /></p><p>Diamond Girl, Addiction, <a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/55537900dcf47202/">Quicksand</a><br /></p><p>Bonus:<br /></p><p><a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/555378708489346a/">Valentine</a><br /></p></span>Ms. Shaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138291409955439996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786643352530226116.post-34502763974362591132009-02-12T19:26:00.004-05:002009-02-12T20:25:58.137-05:00It's a Thief In The Night To Come and Grab You<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SZTD6ypkoBI/AAAAAAAAAMA/VnJahFVFtbg/s1600-h/ChrisBrown_8685c_main.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 330px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SZTD6ypkoBI/AAAAAAAAAMA/VnJahFVFtbg/s400/ChrisBrown_8685c_main.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302078076117884946" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />What the fuck?<br /><br />...Yeah, it's been a few days and that's all I got left. I'm not picking sides and I'm not calling him a monster or saying she provoked him but I will say whatever it was, was it really worth it? The night before the Grammy's of all nights? Not that it's appropriate at any time but just the sheer ease with which some folks can see fit to throw their lives away is nothing if not disturbing. These dumb assed kids are our future, America! It would be awesome if they knew that violence isn't an appropriate response to whatever relationship conflicts they may be having.<br /><br />Some links and gossip and information on the saga...cause I damn sure ain't a source.<br /><br /><a href="http://popculturefix.com/2009/02/christopher-robyn-drama-continues/">Pop Culture Fix</a><br /><br /><a href="http://necolebitchie.com/2009/02/11/audio-radio-interview-w-chris-browns-aunt-stepfather">Necole Bitchie</a>Ms. Shaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138291409955439996noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786643352530226116.post-27308950300591248132009-02-08T20:01:00.057-05:002009-02-22T18:18:57.341-05:00Grammy Awards 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SY-Ec2wC2FI/AAAAAAAAALw/2y42F4czW9Q/s1600-h/grammy51.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 215px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SY-Ec2wC2FI/AAAAAAAAALw/2y42F4czW9Q/s400/grammy51.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300600917706594386" border="0" /></a><br />Here we go again. It's the 51st annual Grammy Awards and i'm going to liveblog it. Mostly because that's the only way I can sit and watch the whole thing. I'm going to be drinking tonight. Which was my mistake last time I tried to liveblog. I was stone sober. Big Mistake. But let's go...As we proceed!<br /><br />8:01 - U2 doin their U2 sht. I wanna like then more than I do but only some of their songs are jams to me. Maybe I lack culture.<br />8:03 - However this 'let me in the sound' breakdown is kinda dope. This song might be winning me over.<br />8:04 - Whitney looks ...she looks pretty good considering. Still sounds crazy.<br />8:06 - Awwe, it seems like Whitney's lost her voice. I heard that show she did a few months back where she sounded a mess but I was hoping it wasn't permanent.<br />8:07 - J. Hud accepts the award for best R&B. I think i'm gonna tear up with her on this one. I love her.<br />8:08 - Duane Johnson..remember when he was the Rock? Also..remember when he was too sexy for words? Now he's treading in Shemar Moore territory.<br />8:10 - Justin Timberlake is on already, filling in for Chris Brown's assault and battery punk ass. Yeesh, the day before the Grammy's Chris? You couldn't wait? Let me stop. That type of sht is never appropriate. I knew somethin was wrong with him...<a href="http://rhythm-and-bliss.blogspot.com/2008/08/you-just-baby-boy.html">remember??</a><br />8:21 - Mmm Simon Baker. introducing Coldplay performing Lost! which is a pretty hot banger from Coldplay of all people.<br />8:23 - Aaannd they proceed to destroy any love for this song I had while on stage. Jay puts on this dumb drunk flow that only sounded hot under the congo drums and guitar production of the album recording.<br />8:25 - Their performing the Ipod commercial song. It sounds good but the performance looks mad goofy.<br />8:28 - I kinda like Carrie Underwood's white trash steez even if its made up. Her getup is kinda Mad Max though, and not in a good way.<br />8:32 - Sheryl Crow and Leanne Rhimes. I like Leeanne's dress but thas the only positive thing I'll say right about now. I only ever think about Country music when watching the Grammy's and then I remind myself to listen to it more and forget again. Maybe next year.<br />8:42 - Wow Al Green again. He ain't even know he was going on stage tonight<br />8:42 - Coldplay wins for Viva La Vida. They gon let purple coat talk. He acknowledges the Sgt. Pepper look. Thank the Lord for the self aware<br />8:45 - Kid Rock takes the stage...I don't know how he's still around. That 'Sweet Home Alabama' riff moves units though. It sells records, pizza, KFC. You can't beat it.<br />8:54 - the Cyrus is on with Taylor Swift. This is cute cause I don't think I could deal with Miley on her own.<br />8:58 - The two least known people in the running win it. I knew it! I'm happy for them though. I hope they get off the stage in a timely manner.<br />9:00 - Jennifer Hudson takes the stage, acapella at that. She looks very nice in this sequined black dress. Her wig is wiggy though, but we're not gonna talk about that because her vocals are killing it.<br />9:09 - This lady just compare the Jonas Brothers to Cain and Abel. Aaaaallriight.<br />9:10 - Why do they get to perform with Stevie Wonder? This is my jam though I must admit. I guess this is my punishment for being an Nsync fan back in the day..<br />9:12 - This must be mashup night. They are performing superstitious..they all sound constipated. I can't tell if Stevie is constipated as well or making fun of them. Probably both..<br />9:15 - Wow time warp, Blink 182 comes back on stage to announce they're getting back together. They get points for mocking the fuckery that was just onstage.<br />9:16 - Coldplay gets the award. called themselves a limestone rockband...wock wocka...<br />9:23 - Craig Ferguson is funny tonight. But I will never forgive him for seguing to Katy Perry. I'm not a fan.<br />9:26 - She's finally off the stage and now its Kaye and Estelle and Ye's fro mullet. This performance looks cheap and tacky and underproduced. Shiny suits on a red circle. The recession is really getting to people. "Look at this pea coat tell me he's broke" BROKE!<br />9:29 - Then they gotta turn around and present the next award for best New Artist. Yayy Adele won. I dig her but I was rooting for Jasmine. She's got one of those working class Brit accents like some of my fam (we international, yo!)<br />9:36 - Morgan Freeman takes the stage. Now theres a man that knows how to put his shoe on a woman and get away with it. That wasnt tasteful at all but I won't delete it.<br />9:39 - Kenny Chesney...taking a big sip out my cup right now.<br />9:40 - Diddy does not give a shit. White tee, shiny shirt, sad gold chain. He looks like he's dressed to get the laundry.<br />9:41 - Robert Plant and them is winnin again, just to piss everyone off i'm sure.<br />9:48 - Gueen Latifah looks sexy tonight. Blinking at this segue from the Rat Pack to the Rap Pack<br />9:50 - Wowww at M.I.A. being gigantic in a polkadot bathing suit. This black and white filter is killing me though. FAIL!!<br />9:54 - Kate Beckinsale saying something...introduces Sir Paul McCartney who won't go away for some reason.<br />10:04 - Jack Black ...we've reached MTV VMA award status. Jazz musician Hank Jones gets a Lifetime Achievement Award<br />10:05 - John Mayer gets the award. Talks short and fast, but he has anxiety issues so he gets a pass. The Grammy's nominated Kid Rock for some reason.<br />10:07 - LL Cool J and Jay Mohr come out together cause they both got J's in their names. Jay proceeds to amuse himself and no one else.<br />10:07 - Sugarland and Adele take the stage. Performing a song about being the 'other woman' I love those kinds of songs. I like anything that explores the complications of love.<br />10:11 - Adele takes the stage. Repping for white Team Chunk in a positive way. Finally a representative that isn't a horrid mess. w00t! Also the two sounded beautiful. I gotta look into Sugarland.<br />10:19 - Gwyneth Bland Paltrow introduces Radiohead who apparently are still on some other shit. I enjoy when they are on some other shit. Listening.<br />10:22 - Radiohead is rockin the shit tonight. I love it.<br />10:28 - Samuel L. Jackson takes the stage in his Do the Right thing steez and starts yelling at the audience immediately.<br />10:29 - T.I. and Justin Timberlake take the stage. Meh.<br />10:33 - Wolf Blitzers hippie brother takes the stage and mentions that Obama won two Grammy's. GoBama.<br />10:37 - Now he reveals hes just kissing Obama's nuts to get a Secretary of the Arts position instated in the White House. Politricks.<br />10:38 - Sweet sweet Smokey Robinson takes the stage to give the Four Tops the Lifetime Achievement award.<br />10:39 - Fake Four Tops come out consisting of the remaining member, Smokey, Jamie Foxx, and Ne-Yo. This is my song and they not ruinin it.<br />10:47 - Josh Groban comes on..thank God he's not singing tv show theme songs again. Introduces Neil Diamand<br />10:48 - Neil Diamond looks better than he did the last time I seent him. My mother is somewhere throwin her panties at the tv.<br />10:55- My bad I tuned out for a bit there. They did the Memoriam dead faces reel. Then BB King and John Mayer performed a tribute to Bo Diddley<br />11:02 - Gary Sinese ...still looks like a robot clone. He's about to introduce Weezy and Robin Thicke and friends<br />11:03 - They doin 'Tie My Hands'.<br />11:07 - They follow it up by bringing out some New Orleans greats. Well performed and well orchestrated. A thousand brownie points to Weezy<br />11:09 - T. pain and Will.I.Am present the nominees for best rap album. Embarrass themselves.<br />11:10 - Lil Wayne done won his ass a Grammy award.<br />11:10 - There's a good boy. Keep it simple. His family looks nice.<br />11:18 - Blah blah blah Zoe Deschanel..so<span style="font-style: italic;"> that's </span>how you pronounce her name.<br />11:18 - Robert Plant and 'em are performing. Let's hear if this is actually what it is and nobody knew. This song would go well with a nervous breakdown and some LSD.<br />11:23 - Green Day shows up promising tobring sweet release in the form of the final Grammy and the end of the show.<br />11:24 - HA! Grammy of the year goes to Robert Plant and friends. Well hell. Goodnight everybody.<br />11:27 - Stevie gets on again to close the show down.<br /><br />Later kiddies, i'm gonna go get housed!Ms. Shaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138291409955439996noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786643352530226116.post-42543599470066822502009-01-19T20:09:00.006-05:002009-01-20T13:45:03.642-05:00Na na na naNa na na na, HEY HEY HEY GOODBYYEEE<br /><br /><a href="http://www.tamakum.com/game.php?game=683" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.tamakum.com/images/thumb_GoodbyeBush82x64.gif" border="0" width="82" height="64" align="left" style="margin-right:5px;"><strong>Goodbye Mr. Bush</strong></a><br />Bush goes away from the White House... Tell him goodbye YOUR WAY (throwing boots, eggs, daisies or candies) This is a multi-highscore and cumulative-score game!<br /><br /><br /><br />I'm not gonna lie...even I feel bad for this guy. BUT ITS ABOUT DAMN TIME!! Get in yo' choppa and GTFOH!<br />I think this game is a positive way to blow off some steam, and hey, maybe if the shoe thrower would've had this game he wouldn't have acted an ass (awesomely) and done what he none did. Lemme know your high score and object of choice.Ms. Shaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138291409955439996noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786643352530226116.post-87215099403077251442009-01-17T04:58:00.007-05:002009-01-17T07:12:32.116-05:00Notorious<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SXHE_t0V0mI/AAAAAAAAALo/xN9H_ideDEM/s1600-h/big.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SXHE_t0V0mI/AAAAAAAAALo/xN9H_ideDEM/s400/big.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292227636046975586" border="0" /></a><br />I went to the theatre last night to see the Biggie biopic 'Notorious'. I know I could have peeped a bootleg of it like a week ago but as schmaltzy as it sounds I figured if I was gonna watch this flick at all it was going to have to be in a crowd so that the added benefit of the community experience might make up for whatever the film lacks (and I thought it would lack a lot). A part of me wanted to go to a late showing of this in the hood but that same part of me didn't want to get shot in the name of authenticity and as of the New Year I had deleted most of my hood affiliates and tour guides from my phonebook. In reality I still wouldn't feel safe unless me and Clint Eastwood rolled up on the block in his Gran Torino so I don't even know what I was thinking about with that. I actually ended up in a showing in the 'burbs where my friend and I had to show I.D. to signify that we were 'guardians' to some underaged niglets and accompany them into the theatre just so they could see the film. I scoffed at all the extra regulations but, a half hour into the movie I and most of the audience felt like we weren't old enough to be watching what we were watching either. All I'll say is Naturi Naughton was really puttin her all into that role....and that she got some tittays on her. BTW I am not especially opposed to nudity on film but this movie made me realize that there's something really eerie about watching some porno on a big screen in a room full of strangers.<br /><br />To get the complaints out of the way, its pretty plain that Diddy had his hands on this film a little too much. Almost every profound thing Big says and does in this film was inspired by, or was a suggestion from Puffy (Derek Luke). He, Voletta (Angela Bassett), and Faith Evans (Antonique Smith) appear to have no flaws and I'm sure their live counterparts working behind the scenes with the director had more than a little bit to do with that. However, that's probably for the best because it helps us focus on the main character's performance. Jamal Woolard does a great job as Biggie, encompassing the laidback bravado that we all grew up with as well as the vulnerabilities that we suspected but never really got to see. And despite my complaints about Puff's onscreen fairy godmother status Luke does surprisingly well in translating the fun and obnoxiousness of Sean Combs without channeling too much of the actual Sean Combs. I'm thankful for this because the approximations of Puffy's silly ass dances are amusing but an authentic level of Diddy realism would surely force me from the theatre.<br /><br />The roles that stole the show were Smith as Faith Evans and Naughton who played a nuanced and interesting Lil' Kim. I heard that Kim wasn't consulted for her portroyal in the film but her story is pretty compelling despite or possibly because of her absence behind the scenes, otherwise she might've gotten the boring saint treatment that the other characters got. Anthony Mackie as Tupac was creating a problem for me and his being cast is one of the films bigger flaws in my opinion. He's a decent actor but he wasn't channeling Pac in a way that made me go 'Oh snap. that's Pac!' which is really what these characters are supposed to do. Not to mention the way minds work, certain actors among certain environments invoke distracting memories. For instance while watching the 2Pac scenes my brain goes: rap movie + Anthonie Mackie = 8 Mile, and now every time he appears on screen I hear 'Now everybody from the 313 get ya motherfckn hands up and follow me!' He wasn't terrible or anything, and when he remembers to bug his eyes out he almost has you fooled but they should've went with an unknown on that one.<br />The director also decided to go with ambiguity and neutrality with regards to the details of Biggie's death. I agree that for the type of film this is (celebratory rather than expository) that was probably the best decision. But the vagueness of it made for some bizarre dialogue.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Actual Scene</span><br />*phone rings*<br />Biggie: Hello<br />Caller: Hey Nigga, you gon leave out here with a fuckin toetag on'. We gon fuckin kill you.<br />Biggie: Yo. who the fuck is this?<br />Caller: West Coast, nigga!<br />*dial tone*<br /><br />What? Really? The 'West Coast' killed Big? Alright, whatever..moving on.<br /><br />Going into it with generic to low expectations I was pleasantly surprised. It's a good movie. The cast really got into their roles and save a few exceptions it did what it was supposed to do. Tell B.I.G.'s story? Nah. I don't even think that's what it was supposed to do. You don't learn anything about Christopher Wallace that you didn't already know or presume, which in the grand scheme of things isn't all that much. But there's something emotionally satisfying about seeing glimpses of the stories behind the people who made the music you loved because it plays to your nostalgia. They could have included Kim getting an abortion after getting pregnant with Biggies child but who wants to think about depressing shit like that? We wanna recite the lyrics to the songs we can't help but know the lyrics to and feel proud of our generation for supporting an artist even in death to similar levels of iconic prestige that other generations support and mythologize their heroes (Elvis, anyone?). I'll admit that a really interesting biopic would be an authentic one, telling the sides of the story that we haven't heard or haven't heard enough of and cutting away the bullshit but I would rather see that as a documentary than a feature film. This film reminds me of a (possibly imaginary) time when we were young and rap was something you hid from your parents while you obsessed over it with your friends and older siblings. It reminds you of a time when hip hop was something you really cared about, when you were young enough to think all of the era's rap gossip and drama was really important and how you felt when you sadly realized it kind of was. Seeing it in a sold out theatre in a suburb also makes you realize how many people from all kinds of backgrounds cared about all of that stuff the same way you did. It is by no means perfect but when you hear 'Hypnotize' boom through theatre speakers at the final scene of the movie you must admit it did what it was supposed to do. In apreciation, we as an audience greeted the credits with a round of applause for the movie, for hip hop and for B.I.G. and I for one thought that was pretty dope.Ms. Shaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138291409955439996noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786643352530226116.post-33920617988529401502009-01-17T04:22:00.003-05:002009-01-17T04:43:02.762-05:00Some Ad Nonsense<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KohXv2MoYQA&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KohXv2MoYQA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Skittles: Reflect The Rainbow<br /><br />Here's something that you may not have known about me (or cared) but I enjoy advertisements. This is one of my new favorite ones. A white guy is at a Thai tailor getting his suit fitted. It's some alternate reality (as all skittles commercials are) where instead of your own reflection men of various races and ethnicity's mimic your every move in the reflection of the mirror. In this case there's a black guy a Mexican guy and a Filipino guy. The Black guy and the Mexican are both doing their jobs (Oh ho!) but the Filipino guy notices some skittles in his jacket and starts to eat them instead of reflecting the non skittles eating white guy. The white guy complains about it to the tailor who begins to chew this Filipino guy out. Dude gets pissed and kicks in his own reflection as a way of saying 'fuck you, I quit!' I like this ad more the more I watch it, because in it's way the whole reflect the rainbow theme is somehow a nod to diversity (why should your reflection be white too, can't you give that job to a Mexican? Welcome to post-racial America!) But it's also insane in a way that I really enjoy. I liked it even before I knew what the hell they were saying but a little research clarified that their conversation was as follows:<br /><br />Tailor : Hey, Don't eat while you're working<br />Filipino guy: But i'm hungry<br />Tailor: No eating at work, you lazy bum!<br />Filipino guy: I'm hungry so I'm gonna eat<br />*insane asian arguing and swearing*<br />Filipino guy: Motherfucker, I'll do what I want<br />*kicks glass - mirror shatters - I laugh my ass off*<br /><br />The craziest commercials come out of Thailand. Here's another one that I really liked. It reminded me of all the island ghost stories I used to hear when I was younger.<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/z70zNOSZ160&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/z70zNOSZ160&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Sylvania Light Bulb AdMs. Shaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138291409955439996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786643352530226116.post-42759866496947849152009-01-11T20:00:00.038-05:002009-02-22T18:19:22.176-05:002009 Golden Globes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SWqYhZaR8vI/AAAAAAAAALg/XTBCSEBhjO0/s1600-h/golden-globe.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 382px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SWqYhZaR8vI/AAAAAAAAALg/XTBCSEBhjO0/s400/golden-globe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290208411824288498" border="0" /></a><br />Well, i'm sure you have noticed this but I have been M.I.A. for a while. My bad. Just to force myself back into the swing of posting my thoughts i'm going to attempt to liveblog the Golden Globes. Wish me luck<br /><br />8:01 - J.Lo comes out..mic malfuntion already.<br />8:02 - J.Lo's makeup is pretty good, nice and clean but idk about the rest of her dress, maybe I need a better look<br />8:03 - got a better look. No ty.<br />8:04 - Kate Winslet wins, she looks good, and i like her for some reason..hmm. But she's talkin to long already<br />8:06 - Sting? Why with the grizzly beard? And yet maintains glimpses of the sexy..how does he do that?<br />8:08 - JERSEY STAND UP! Haha, yeah I had to claim a regional victory today after the Giants lost...womp womp wooomp. :(<br />8:09 - Clint Eastwood will take you out back and beat you with a stick<br />8:10 - I love that Bruce and his wife have matching noses and that he called her strong. I love that type of shit, like really love.<br />8:14 - Simon Baker is still sexy. Remember Something New? That was the official 'let's investigate this swirl thing' movie.<br />8: 15 - Awwe look at Tom Wilkinson not knowin when to wave. Awwe and he wins.<br />8: 17 - I love Tom Wilkinson. Wtf was that? hahaha He forgot everyones name, like 'wutevs, Thanks, but I didn't ask you wankers to pick me'<br />8:25 - My heart just broke. Sexy ass Don Cheadle is in 'Hotel For Dogs'? Why does he look like that. Like a pirate, with the two earings.<br />8:27 - Eva Mendez is dumb sexy, especially tonite. That jewelry! swoon, and she's all about la Raza...lol well it's not my Raza but cultural empowerment is always a good thing to me<br />8:29 - Zac Efron doesn't do it for me but this is the most masculine I've seen him..ever. i thought it was Jared Leto<br />8:30 - 'Not here to talk Trek'..then why are y'all here, who are you guys?<br />8:31 - Awwe Anna Paquin wins it. Yay! She's like one of the few actresses that looks like a regular person, it's refreshing to me. I still dunno if i'm feelin the blonde though..<br />8:37 - "thats the last time I have sex with 200 middle aged journalists' O h Ricky Gervais<br />8:39 - Jonas Brothers?? I will never understand. Is that how everyone felt about NSYNC back when I and other teenyboppers was all on their nuts?<br />8:42 - Johnny Depp has on his pervert scraggle moustache again. I do not like it. And he looks tired. :(<br />8:46 - Wheres Savion Glover? or Sandman Simms, they need to hire them to come out w the cane and drag folks off stage.<br />8:52 - Jakey Gyllenhaal presents a Benjamin Button commercial<br />8:53 - Drew Barrymore and Sharon Stone? giggle like fools<br />8:54 - "Ants can't even understand what a giant's talkin about!'. look at Diddy tryna look humble. sweet.<br />8:57 - Tom Cruise blathers like an insane person. My bad Hanks, Tom Hanks woww<br />8:57 - Cute moment with Demi and Rumer, who actually doesnt look frightening tonite<br />8:59 - Heath Ledger *tear*<br />9:05 - *sigh* I'm starting to tire of this. Yayyy Frost/Nixon...w00t....<br />9:06 - Thank you Colin Farell, that <span style="font-style: italic;">was</span> a stupid thing for them to ask you to say. And you actually look clean tinite, double kudos. Also kudos for tryna play it off like you don't do coke no more.<br />9:19 - SETH ROGEN IS TOOO SEXY<br />9:22 - Alec Baldwin for 30 Rock, thats a dope show. Awwe his daughter's name is Ireland. That's cute, and ghetto. Whites are not exempt.<br />9:28 - S. Epatha is sellin pens?<br />9:28 - Cot Damn! Wtf is goin on w Renee Zellweger? SWhe almost never looks good but tonight she looks like she flapped out of a cave.<br />9:30 - It's Baby Wipes!<br />9:32 - Paul Giammati is such a little hobbit. EEw did you see Marc Antony creepily rubbin down J.Lo's shoulders? Jeepers<br />9:34 - That 30 Rock episode was too funny<br />9:36 - LMAO at Tracy Morgan announcing himself as the representative for 30 Rock and the face of post-racial America, then proceeding to embarass all of us immensly. You have my heart.<br />9:47 - Ugly Betty looks really nice tonight.<br />9:53 - Lol at this commercial trying to sell me on this Spielberg show about multiple personalities...<br />9:54 - SMH at this other commercial trying to get me to buy lotto tickets<br />9:58 - w00t The Color Purple, Amistad...its dawning on me that I should have been high tonight.<br />10:13 - Now ole girl w Dustin Hoffman looks alright. Their schtic is cute..wow this Slumdog Millionnaire is stealin the show<br />10:16 - Sigourney Weaver is doin her thing for giant women, I like it.<br />10:18 - Grr at the award show for not showing Javier Barden<br />10:21 - "Curiousity is love, it's Ignorance's nemesis" an excerpt from Colin Farell's artsy fartsy poetic stream of consciousness speech<br />10:27 - Mmmm Selma Hayek, Viva Mexico<br />10:36 - This Indian actress is gorgeous.<br />10:37 - Cameron Diaz and Mark Wahlberg....they are bothering me.<br />10:40 - I never seen anyone so excited to win an award lmao awwe Kate<br />10:45 - ....This shit is still on!?<br />10:51 - I heard Mickey Rourke really wanted to win this one...and thas the last thing I heard about Mickey Rourke in some time<br />10:53 - WHOO 2 seconds of middle finger on national television!!<br />11:00 - AAAAAAND Were done! Whoo finally, I couldn't hang with it for much longer but i'm proud of myself for finishing, even though thas barely an accomplishment. The last couple minutes was a frenzy for the censors. Gooodnight everyone.<br /><br />UPDATE: Highlight of the night. Tracy Morgan's 30 Rock Acceptance Speech<br /><br /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/496bbab812bd8e2c/496b4b9c41ba0b1c/c9da7cb/-cpid/fa43b60fb37fa881" id="W4727a250e66f9723496bbab812bd8e2c" width="384" height="283"><param name="movie" value="http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/496bbab812bd8e2c/496b4b9c41ba0b1c/c9da7cb/-cpid/fa43b60fb37fa881"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></object>Ms. Shaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138291409955439996noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786643352530226116.post-90987748153662901402008-11-08T14:53:00.014-05:002008-11-12T03:26:05.156-05:00The Obama Booty Call<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SRYhFO0RKWI/AAAAAAAAALQ/sZhb7otZWRA/s1600-h/obamabootycall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SRYhFO0RKWI/AAAAAAAAALQ/sZhb7otZWRA/s400/obamabootycall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266433188016761186" border="0" /></a><br />The President-Elect is Barack Obama and as you may have already assumed I'm pleased. I won't bother to do a '<span style="font-style: italic;">How does it feel?</span>' blog because quite frankly if you've been watching any news channel you've seen the 'crying-black-people-from-all-around-the-world' reel ad nauseum and you already know how I felt.<br />So, I'd like to take a moment to discuss other matters this afternoon.<br /><br />Is anyone else familiar with the phenomenon of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Obama Booty Call</span>? or <span style="font-style: italic;">Obooty Call</span>?<br />Oh, you know what I'm talking about. Someone trying to get at you using the pretense of inspiration and political minded discourse. Maybe, its just my isolated experience but in light of recent events I have been inundated with texts, instant messages, and phone calls from folks I haven't spoke to in years. Most of them are sharing in the excitement. Some of whom are trying to parlay the overwhelming emotions of this era of change and hope into inspiring previously conservative or reluctant ass into bold, bipartisan directions.<br />Trickin with Hope.<br /><br />It can come in a variety of forms but it typically begins with Person X* contacting you out of the blue and using the election as an excuse for the interruption. For me, it began election day, getting texts from randoms I had long forgotten about or possibly never knew.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">For the purpose of exposition here are some examples of several types of Obooty calls that may or may not be copy and pasted or retyped verbatim.</span> *smh*<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">.:The Text:.</span></span><br /><blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">_: "The Streets Keep Callin'.... I Gotta Change My Number":_</span><br /><br />Person X: Ayoo, shawty. Wuts good?<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"> me: ?</span><br /><br />Person X: Me, i just voted. U vote?<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">me: Hell yeah i voted. Yo, who is this?</span><br /><br />Person X: Daaaaag ma. its like that? dis ******, yo what u doin this weekend?<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">me: Ohh...prolly something else</span><br /><br />Person X: Huh? but yo get at me. we should do somethin, ta celebrate.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">*****The Block Obama '08*****</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Git that guap. G unit, D-Block, Birdgang, Dipset, </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Ay!</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">text sent via Sidekick.</span><br /></div></blockquote><br />I discovered there are also exotic variations on this type of text.<br /><br /><blockquote style="font-weight: bold;">_:Political Sex Text:_</blockquote><br /><blockquote>Person X: We did it. Obama is the man.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"> me: Yeah I know, i'm so excited. i can't even believe it</span><br /><br />Person X: I know you're excited, I can tell. I can believe it.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"> me: it was crazy though. I thought it would be closer.</span><br /><br />Person X: yeah you can't always tell.. I mean the campaign was so long and so hard...<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"> me: yea</span><br /><br />Person X: yeah it was real intense.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">me: mmhmm</span><br /><br />Person X: But he just kept pushing forward. building so much momentum. he wasn't gonna stop. shit, he prolly couldn't stop even if he wanted to.<br />they thought they had him when they brought in that white girl<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">me: Palin?</span><br /><br />Person X: yeah. but they should have known a brother could handle that chick. i mean hes too cool to let some jawn like that phase him.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">me: Thas true</span><br /><br />Person X: Hes very orally skilled. we have alot in common.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">me: ...yea</span><br /><br />Person X: But toward the end tension kept rising and the polls were tightening. I almost couldn't take it. But i knew my man would come on top. How did it feel for you when it happened?<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"> me: wow, i mean i was just overwhelmed, i was crying a lil bit</span><br /><br />Person X: Mmm, I bet I'll have you crying<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">me: what?</span><br /><br />Person X: What you doin tonite?<br /></blockquote><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">.:The Instant Message:.</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">There were quite a bit more of these than texts but I'll just post a few examples...</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span>This is from a random whom I had the good fortune of eventually losing contact with....</span><span> Only for Obama to return him to my IM window.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span>He hit me up about an hour before the announcement pretending to be inspired and inquiring about my life. Then 11 pm rolled around.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">...<br /><br />Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SRYT0uubLHI/AAAAAAAAAKw/dNpCGGOKhSk/s1600-h/obamabootycallim.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 110px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SRYT0uubLHI/AAAAAAAAAKw/dNpCGGOKhSk/s400/obamabootycallim.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266418610873248882" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204); font-weight: bold;">NOTE THE TIME!!!</span><br /></div><br /><br /><br />This next one, I'm ashamed to say, is from an ex-boy, who after hitting me up with some of the above mentioned Obooty call dialogue was apparently inspired by Obama to redistribute my wealth.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SRYVwtnhMiI/AAAAAAAAALA/mWgW-M84rtQ/s1600-h/smh2008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 332px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SRYVwtnhMiI/AAAAAAAAALA/mWgW-M84rtQ/s400/smh2008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266420740879626786" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204); font-weight: bold;">*SMH* 2008</span><br /></div><br /><br /><br />This last one isn't technically a booty call but it's a little election night correspondence that left me feeling satisfied. The character in question is the individual from a <a href="http://rhythm-and-bliss.blogspot.com/2008/08/obama-wolverine-and-antichrist.html">previous post</a> who was attempting to convince me that Obama is the antichrist. I mean even if he is, so what?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SRYjMKPvcRI/AAAAAAAAALY/j7JZgOCE89c/s1600-h/victory.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 78px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SRYjMKPvcRI/AAAAAAAAALY/j7JZgOCE89c/s400/victory.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266435506072154386" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204); font-weight: bold;">Luxuriate in the deliciousness, bitch.</span><br /></div><br /><br /><br />The commonality to all of these Obooty calls is that they leave me wanting the real thing. Who wouldn't turn Lewinsky for the 44th President (Sorry, Michelle)? Intelligent, terrible dancer, tragic mullato corniness/sexiness. I'd respond to a late night smiley from him anyday.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I need</span> ;-P <span style="font-style: italic;">I can believe in.</span><br /><br />So, you bookworm negroes better step your collective game up and parlay the former Senator from Chicago's success with the ladies into a revolution instead of lazily tacking parts of his speeches on to your pick up lines. Maybe now instead of these young boys pretending to be hood they'll pretend to be college educated to get some trim.<br />FELLAS, START BRINGING YOUR DEGREE TO THE CLUB. Cause, I want to see it. I want to see it real bad.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >*I'll give him the moniker person X because this person usually is an Ex of some sort. Ex-boyfriend, Ex-friend, Ex-jumpoff, Ex-used to buy me sht cause he thought he was gettin the drawls, etc,. I assume Person X is male but I'm sure theres some enterprising females getting they Obama Booty Call on.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br />**names were changed to protect the ignorant and the irrelevant.</span>Ms. Shaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138291409955439996noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786643352530226116.post-64972323304502313412008-10-30T17:24:00.006-04:002008-11-02T03:52:17.137-05:00If I were a BoySo there's a rumor that one of the dancers in Beyonce's Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) video is some sort of dude. Oh, you know, <span style="font-style: italic;">the darker one</span>. Even if there wasn't a rumor before I'm gonna go with it.<br /><br /><object width="448" height="374"><param name="movie" value="http://videos.onsmash.com/e/sMccqAndPVHE1Qpv"></param><param name="allowFullscreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://videos.onsmash.com/e/sMccqAndPVHE1Qpv" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" width="448" height="374"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Beyonce - Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)</span><br /><br />I actually really like this song despite my tense relationship with Mrs. Knowles-Carter. I will say that for what she is and what she does she's very good at it. But I get annoyed when speculation that she is deep or really really creative begins to surface. I'll save the hate for another day however and get back to this business of the male dancer.<br />Upon reviewing the video a few times in several picture qualities I would have to say the jury is still kind of out but I'm leaning toward 'Oh my God! That's a dude!'<br />And you know what? More power to him. He's dancing on point, and looks <span style="font-style: italic;">fabulous</span>. it's not beyond the realm of possibility. Sasha Fierce is a diva and as such gets and shows love from the fairy section. I could totally see her being on board with 'homegirl' in her video. And, why not?<br />Some would say, "<span style="font-style: italic;">Well come on now. How could a man have the phattest ass in a Beyonce video?</span>"<br />To that I say "<span style="font-weight: bold;">Y'all might wanna look a little bit closer at what you're trying to bring home from the club.</span>"<br /><br />I'll leave y'all with some words of wisdom from the great Luenelle:<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vW8i4PFuYLk&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vW8i4PFuYLk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Go sit in a corner and think on it.Ms. Shaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138291409955439996noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786643352530226116.post-21293957581630237072008-10-23T21:14:00.008-04:002008-10-24T01:16:06.805-04:00Watch More South Park<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">South Park Fun</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SQFYl6i8PTI/AAAAAAAAAKI/tVaZJEgDm94/s1600-h/obama+sp.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SQFYl6i8PTI/AAAAAAAAAKI/tVaZJEgDm94/s320/obama+sp.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260583248139664690" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Barack Obama<br /><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SQFY2LLfD7I/AAAAAAAAAKQ/sHTr-qnqcKM/s1600-h/michelle+obama+sp.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SQFY2LLfD7I/AAAAAAAAAKQ/sHTr-qnqcKM/s320/michelle+obama+sp.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260583527482593202" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Michelle Obama<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SQFZBo7LGUI/AAAAAAAAAKY/B0HeHLQQqNU/s1600-h/john+mccain+sp.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SQFZBo7LGUI/AAAAAAAAAKY/B0HeHLQQqNU/s320/john+mccain+sp.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260583724445800770" border="0" /></a>John McCain<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SQFZGygR4RI/AAAAAAAAAKg/twXvf7NgBmo/s1600-h/sarah+palin+2+sp.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SQFZGygR4RI/AAAAAAAAAKg/twXvf7NgBmo/s320/sarah+palin+2+sp.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260583812916699410" border="0" /></a>Sarah Palin<br /></div><br /><br />I couldn't resist making one for that <a href="http://wonkette.com/403763/gop-gal-claims-savage-negro-mugged-her-for-obama">Ashley Todd</a> girl. If this is the thing that sends me to hell, so be it. I'll take one for the team.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SQFZLOfsruI/AAAAAAAAAKo/Q3hyj1Phu9U/s1600-h/ashley+todd+sp.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 253px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SQFZLOfsruI/AAAAAAAAAKo/Q3hyj1Phu9U/s320/ashley+todd+sp.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260583889149931234" border="0" /></a>Ms. Shaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138291409955439996noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786643352530226116.post-71640192171561687212008-10-23T00:33:00.004-04:002008-10-23T00:44:59.146-04:00America's Best Dance Crew '08<object width="464" height="392"><param name="movie" value="http://embed.break.com/NTkyNjQ4"><embed src="http://embed.break.com/NTkyNjQ4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="464" height="392"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://view.break.com/592648">http://view.break.com/592648</a> - Watch more <a href="http://www.break.com/">free videos</a></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Obama and McCain - Battle Dance</span><br /><br />Yeah, I think I've reached my exhaustion point on politics for this year. We're all boned either way. This video however is the stuff of fantasies and nightmares.<br /><br />I'm going to have to announce McCain as the winner of this battle. Just because he brought in Sarah <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Palin</span> who held down her G status and was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">poppin</span> that ass like a bad chick. Not to mention Barack Obama WISH he could dance like that. I saw him callin himself tryna shake somethin on Ellen a while back. He could have benefited from a few more barbecues with Michelle's peoples.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Obama - 4 McCain - 1</span>Ms. Shaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138291409955439996noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786643352530226116.post-26199484052057215022008-10-21T10:57:00.008-04:002008-10-21T12:04:07.087-04:00Why Not<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SP38A-CEKOI/AAAAAAAAAIw/ah5ve65DV-8/s1600-h/news-fuck_riaa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SP38A-CEKOI/AAAAAAAAAIw/ah5ve65DV-8/s320/news-fuck_riaa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259637033420466402" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I've been taking in bits of new music here and there to ease my economic woes. I've discovered some new loves (Ms. <a href="http://themakingsofme.wordpress.com/2008/09/30/the-effortless-soul-of-jazmine-sulliva/">Jazmine Sullivan</a>) as well as hearing bits and pieces leaked and released from some old favorites.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SP35Mg1NK9I/AAAAAAAAAIg/gvh5D6HFONs/s1600-h/5535_eminem.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SP35Mg1NK9I/AAAAAAAAAIg/gvh5D6HFONs/s200/5535_eminem.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259633933205449682" border="0" /></a>Marshall- Most of you have probably heard the freestyle '<a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/50139222ffe77bb6/">Relapse</a>'. I suppose it's silly to even pass judgment on something like that, or even Eminem for that matter. I mean he's talking Jamaican again. Vibe magazine has recently announced him the greatest rapper of all time according to an online poll and more fights have broken out over this decree than they do over a spades tables (I had the misfortune of witnessing both disputes occur simultaneously). I think the 'best' title is always going to be impossible to determine particularly in a genre as diverse as hip hop. You can generate a 'top' list but there will always be confounding variables. Are we talking lyricism? Are we talking influence? Are we talking popularity? Hit making ability? Slim Shady has all of these things but he, like most rappers, owes credit to some of them to elements outside of his control. The verdict will forever be out on who the greatest is but if Vibe wants to say its Slim for now I suppose I won't argue too much.<br /><br />50 Cent - <a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/50140292d2b47117/">Get Up</a>. Dope meaningless shit from ya boy Curtis. (image unnecessary)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SP36S1q8xtI/AAAAAAAAAIo/8kCSN_Mjq4A/s1600-h/kanye-west-pop.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SP36S1q8xtI/AAAAAAAAAIo/8kCSN_Mjq4A/s200/kanye-west-pop.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259635141390419666" border="0" /></a>Mr. West- I hear Love Lockdown, I hear <a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/501388073c996097/">Heartless</a>, and most recently I hear <a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/50138877bb8669ca/">Coldest Winter</a>. Well, hmm. His singing has improved between the first and the third. I actually like Coldest Winter a little better than I like Heartless. Not because I prefer singing Kanye to rapping Kanye but I just feel like Ye should be able to make a better rap song than Heartless if he's like, supposed to be a rapper. But, if you want to add an interesting twist to it, he's really supposed to be a producer. But let's not go there.<br />Coldest Winter has the same strengths and weaknesses as Love Lockdown in my <a href="http://rhythm-and-bliss.blogspot.com/2008/10/weirdo-kanye-love-lockdown.html">opinion</a>. It sounds more like what it feels like, but his lyrics ring of high school poetry. I suppose he's trying to say something. And I think we all have the right to judge it but I'm reaching the conclusion that this album isn't even for us anyway.<br />Lack of knowledge or information didn't prevent me from speculating before so why stop now? -On a human level, maybe he just needs to wail and get these things out of his system so that he can progress to something less miserable.<br />-On another level... I was watching the tube and some pop culture analyst popped up to say that slow meaningful somber songs become hits when the economy is bad whereas upbeat up tempo songs usually <a href="http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/story/0,4136,180770,00.html">don't chart as well</a> when people have no money. Maybe, Mr. West is a marketing genius. In any case, he's bound to have us all depressed and even more broke by the time he gets through with us.Ms. Shaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138291409955439996noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786643352530226116.post-75183630221532943152008-10-17T02:43:00.004-04:002008-10-17T03:05:12.013-04:00Def Comedy Jam<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/M5sAq9wp_uc&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/M5sAq9wp_uc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">McCain Roasts Obama</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">..ignore the propaganda at the end. McCain was funny but all that wasn't necessary.</span><br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/v5SWQJWm6Tg&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/v5SWQJWm6Tg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Obama Roasts McCain</span><br /><br /><br />...neither of them wrote any of this shit but it was definitely funny. Funny thing is my verdict on their routines is identical to my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">opinion</span> of the last debate. McCain made some good points, started off better than I expected but Obama performed a bit better even though he started off weaker, and he spoke more smoothly, and basically delivered.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Obama - 4 , McCain - 0</span>Ms. Shaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138291409955439996noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786643352530226116.post-76293733363716410682008-10-16T16:13:00.005-04:002008-10-17T02:15:57.564-04:00Obama on Foodstamps<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SPegroZ2JhI/AAAAAAAAAII/mOgAGutudT4/s1600-h/obama-bucks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SPegroZ2JhI/AAAAAAAAAII/mOgAGutudT4/s400/obama-bucks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257847761418987026" border="0" /></a><br />I'm so broke I would probably use these if it came down to it. I am, alas, but a Dollar Menu-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">naire</span>.<br /><br />Yes, there's a story.<br /><a href="http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_S_buck16.3d67d4a.html">Indiana McCain supporter whips this up in a newsletter, claims she's 'not racist'. </a><br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">PSA</span>: You ever had a white friend and you got into a racial argument with them, or even just a discussion that got out of hand? Then you try to break things down for them, rationally explaining the differences between their experiences and yours. And you call on every African American studies class you took, and very special (insert black family sitcom) episode you seen, or black militant pamphlet you ever read. And instead of just digesting it and understanding it they..they start fucking tearing up and crying. And their all like '<span style="font-style: italic;">Oh, I never thought about it that way. It must feel terrible to go through (blank) everyday</span>.'<br />Now, you don't even know how to feel. On the one hand you're glad that you may have made a breakthrough. Then the idea that somebody could start crying just from hearing about your life is like..depressing as shit. Then you get angry that somebody could live in this country and not understand or even consider important aspects of life here that you and many other minorities find inescapable. What the fuck do you mean you '<span style="font-style: italic;">never thought about it that way</span>'? How is that even possible? So, then you get mad and you hate her for the rest of the day but, you can't act like it because her mom is picking both of you up from the mall.<br />That story kind of had its own tangent, but the point I was trying to make is that although one may think it's progressive to 'not see race' it's not helpful. At times, I feel I prefer discussions with racists because at least we have the commonality of both seeing race instead of conveniently pretending its not an issue, and getting <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">appalled</span> when it's brought up.<br /><br /><br />Okay, to end with some levity.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/z0D1w2mjqzk&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/z0D1w2mjqzk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Obama prepares for the debates</span>Ms. Shaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138291409955439996noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786643352530226116.post-62189353667595717382008-10-15T15:05:00.008-04:002008-10-16T12:29:15.909-04:00Long time coming...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SPY_IIm_jWI/AAAAAAAAAGk/nvRxIo7E_pY/s1600-h/powell.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SPY_IIm_jWI/AAAAAAAAAGk/nvRxIo7E_pY/s400/powell.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257459023984168290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Former Secretary of Defense, Gen. Colin Powell</span> files paperwork to get his negro card reinstated.<br /><br /><p></p><blockquote><p>Powell -- who has yet to back a candidate -- told the audience: "I stand before you as an African-American. Many people have said to me you became secretary of state of the USA, is it still necessary to say that you are an African American or that you are black? And I say yes, so that we can remind our children."</p>"It took a lot of people struggling to bring me to this point in history," Powell told the audience. "I didn't just drop out of the sky. People came from my continent in chains."<br />-<a href="http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/10/15/colin-powell-fuels-speculation-possible-endorsement/">Source</a><br /></blockquote><br />I, like most black folks, got mixed feelings about the General but I always felt like one day he would come around. Time will tell what this leads to but this image reminds me of the scene in <span style="font-style: italic;">How High</span> when the Dean gets a hold of the sticky and starts bustin' out to Parliament at some bourghie costume party.<br />This is like that but better!<br /><br />As much as I hate to throw the 'election headquarters' at Fox News any ad revenue (even from my insignificant effort on this blog) I have to link the article, just cause they have the pictures, the info, and the most brazenly ignorant, amazing headline to this post that I couldn't even imagine.<br /><br /><h1><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/10/15/colin-powell-fuels-speculation-possible-endorsement/">Hip-Hop-Dancing Colin Powell Fuels Speculation He'll Endorse Obama</a></span></h1> <h2><span style="font-size:100%;">Colin Powell showed off his hip-hop moves at an 'Africa Rising' celebration in London Tuesday, fueling speculation that the former secretary of state is about to endorse Barack Obama for president... </span></h2>...crimety.Ms. Shaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138291409955439996noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786643352530226116.post-35386804721293037522008-10-10T16:59:00.007-04:002008-10-10T19:27:00.249-04:00The Weirdo: Kanye (Love Lockdown)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SO_Y_99WiQI/AAAAAAAAAGc/OWgmDvCQ_qI/s1600-h/ve0qo7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xJlzsEVdJmw/SO_Y_99WiQI/AAAAAAAAAGc/OWgmDvCQ_qI/s400/ve0qo7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255657883639908610" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Anyway, I've had an abundance of Ye posts lately most likely because I've been intrigued by Love Lockdown. To be honest I don't really think its the best song ever but I like analyzing shit so that's what ima do. In my <a href="http://rhythm-and-bliss.blogspot.com/2008/10/weirdo-kanye.html">last post</a> I was discussing whether or not I felt that Mr. West uses a mask. To cut to the chase I think he does a lot of hiding in plain sight but yes there is a mask. He uses cadence and emphasis to disguise that he's rhyming in platitudes. And it's a technique that makes the mundane seem significant and the personal, impersonal.<br /><br />As I mentioned before, Kanye has suffered some personal upsets and tragedies this year, the likes of which one would expect an artist like him to discuss. But, anyone with an ego like his is going to have a hard time laying himself completely bare for his audience(remember we want the suit zipped closed.) His verse on '<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62RmQSwkXz0">Put On</a>' was powerful and has been lauded as intimate but what is more interesting is the vocodered smoke screen of it. He starts off silly/obnoxious and then the brief emotional reveal ("<span style="font-style: italic;">Lost the only girl in the world that know me best"</span>), then back to bullshit and in and out. It fits his take on the song which is essentially the reality and art and necessity of fronting. Pretending your good when you're so not.<br /><br />But 'Love Lockdown' is supposed to be a heightened level of intimacy. It <span style="font-style: italic;">sounds</span> like the monotone forlorn depression, interspersed with the racing thoughts one has when watching their relationship slip through their fingers but, the lyrics don't say much or reveal much even to that effect. Obviously rhyming is not Ye's strong suit but the generic vagueness of the lyrics in my opinion reveal that Kanye isn't able to be revealing about the topic. Reading the song lyrics is like reading a teenager's Myspace Blog entry about a breakup. The author has a lot to say, a lot of emotions, but doesn't want to say anything specific because to do so would leave them feeling naked...and because the person the entry is about probably still reads their shit. So they try to use metaphors and flowery language that captures the essence of how they feel while disguising the reality of what they mean. This song must have made Kanye feel very naked because he cloaks the actual meaning in turnarounds and obscure metaphors and of course, the fucking <span style="font-style: italic;">vocoder</span>. Anyone who has heard the original studio version knows he even went as far as to mumble the chorus (I was not amused.)<br /><br />So, I really do like the song, and I even like the video even though it does the same trick of feeling like something but not saying anything. But, it seems like Yeezy doesn't have enough cognitive dissonance between his person and his persona to go too deep without hurting himself.Ms. Shaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138291409955439996noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786643352530226116.post-5057617116638144402008-10-09T03:09:00.003-04:002008-10-09T03:15:35.933-04:00Got em!I know that Keith Olberman has fantasies of Obama draped in nothing but the American flag but that doesn't prevent me from enjoying him discuss Sarah Palin and her recent remarks on the Bill Ayers terrorist nonsense.<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rnSXGTFQ0Ak&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rnSXGTFQ0Ak&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />I'm so fuckin fair and balanced!Ms. Shaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138291409955439996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786643352530226116.post-18719573434656432492008-10-07T13:40:00.002-04:002008-10-07T13:43:33.561-04:00Happy Birthday to me!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/funny-pictures-birthday-cat-can-count.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/funny-pictures-birthday-cat-can-count.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Shit, even I'm a day late in congratulating myself.Ms. Shaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138291409955439996noreply@blogger.com0