Words Spoken by a true OG ::: Jay-Z

My two cents : Jay-Z is the epitome and prototype of what all rappers rap about. However I would like to add that, most rappers are afraid to speak their minds and say it out loud, that they want to get as far away from the hood as possible. However because they fear the beat down or worse, their mouths are shut or saying the opposite. Also I think it is a mental prison that they can not see. It is good that the hood has someone such as Jay-Z to look up to. To aspire beyond their limits and break down barriers.

I hope that by saying this. The few that heard it will begin to spark the brain of those who will carry on the mission of revamping the mind set of the African American youth and African American Adult.

Here is what he has to say:

"I think it’s more important for me to be in touch with
who I am than in touch with the streets, per se,’ he says. ‘Being in
touch with the streets, keeping it real, that’s become a lie and a
cliche. I’m not hanging on the corner in the Bed-Stuy. I hate it when
rappers say, “I’m keeping it ‘hood.” I’m like, “Why? What do you mean?
No one’s there by choice! You’re in the hood, by choice?”‘

Bling he feels was misinterpreted by the media as tasteless showing
off, when really it was a celebration of success by people who had
enjoyed precious little of that before. ‘These people came from
nothing,’ he says. ‘No-thing. The bottom. And when they got money and
cars and houses it was a party. Like, us being here, at the
Lanesborough, eating caviar? That just didn’t happen before. Why not
celebrate that?"

Thanks to Bossip I was able to bring this to you guys.

American idle :::: Disecting the African American Audience

A while back I posted in a Movie to reconsider, my adornment for Love Jones. However I did not expand as much as I thought. I stated the nature of the film, along with the delight that it has brought to homes, and its legendary, highly classic representation of Love. Not only that, but African American Love. I focused far too much on comparisons. Instead this time around I will display some scenes and allow you to be the judge of this film.

I am doing this to dissect the movie going habits of the African American Community. Although many believe Love jones to be contrived and forced, the chemistry of the actors in this film goes without saying. Many films carry such chemistry and the leading characters Nina(Nia Long) and Darius( Larenz Tate), is fused with passion, and leads you to believe they almost had something off camera. It worked so well, and has gone unnoticed by many, many romance films fail where these two succeeded.



Before I move one, allow me to say that this film opened doors that have been shut. I have not seen such a magnificent piece of work come out of Hollywood since. There were movies that came close and were great, but they were as far under radar as Love Jones, it is as if they do not exist. Movies such as HAV PLENTY, Love come down, and this new one that we should add to the account Medicine for Melancholy. These three films are prime examples that the people are not paying attention, as they would to a comedy, or Gang Drama of African American Creativity. I do think that the audience is out there, but the problem is that the majority of the black communities that these films represent very rarely want to revisit these moments or do not have the time. They prefer to laugh off life or charge it back up with Gangster films so that they can survive the streets. This is a cycle that needs to be broken in order for African American films to grow in range. The offerings are low in terms of categories. Personally I am tired of comedy that is more slapstick than clever, and gangster films that is more cheese than creative. Its becoming embarrassing to watch and I honestly do not support them. I prefer a good plot that makes me think long before and long after it is over.




The Networks, the Studios, and the creative teams behind these vehicles are not sure if they should take the risk. The demand is there but the audience is smaller than the will of the studios risk capital. So we get these Hybrid love movies( i.e. Meet the browns, which is good but not enough) that do not make it beyond the first three weeks. Although the box office take is good in comparison to the productions cost they are not as complex as can be. Also these films are not reaching long term success at the movie house. So in turn they are not reaching a wide range of people. I understand that success is good when you are in the money. However it is not just about the money. It is about art going unnoticed in Hollywood.


I think instead of blaming just Hollywood, we need to look within ourselves as a racial group. The fact of the matter is that we went to see New Jack city, Boys in the Hood, and White Chicks. That list may run on, but my point is not to knock these films. However, is that all that you want to see? There has to be more than that to your movie going experience. Should the studios survey the African American Community to see what they want to see? Should the African American Community ask of the studios by petitions to produce the numbers to get the tape rolling? I do not think there is any one way. However a way must be found to make the next stage of Hollywood come to life.

Perhaps the African American community do not know how to portray these stories? Is it the people or is it the studio? I personally think it is both. So it time to look at product, producer, and consumers alike.

Here are the clips I promised for your entertainment and for your look over. Enjoy and get back to me.


Nina and Darius first date - Love Jones



Darius Hall ' Blues for Nina' - Love jones




Medicine for Melancholy

Bounce back and feel the vibes

Souls Of Mischief - From 93 Till Infinity (Best Quality)

Special Ed - I Got It Made

A Tribe called quest - Scenario

Kid 'n Play - Ain't gonna hurt nobody

The Pharcyde - Passin' Me By

Lords of the Underground - Chief Rocka

Before Midnight ::: She will not talk to a square!

Now that I am in the position to answer a question. I have to make my
best effort to help a guy meet a lady. By the way ladies, this post will not put you out there.
So be kind and read as well. It will give you some inside ideas on how
to deal with the approach.

So I found myself wandering the thought-scape, attempting to figure out the beauty of the chase. Since I received and e-mail of someone asking me how to meet a lady on a Saturday night.I must be honest about the time that has lapsed since I met someone. I am a little tide up at the moment. However I must be nice and pull from my mental archive and share the thought.

Although it has been a while the game does not change. So you go out there and do what needs to be done. For me I I never had any one way of meeting anyone. I just felt the moment and went with my gut. It usually worked out for me. Quite possible it can work out for you as well. If not, read on!



So if you want to meet someone at a club, lounge, or restaurant. Some things need to be understood and always respected or you would not have a chance in hell to get what you think you can get from the situation.

So the best thing to do now is get out your pen and paper or warm up that printer. Here are 7 +2 rules to be well aware of before midnight.

• Work out and eat properly before going out. (Trust me you will feel confident)
• Read a newspaper ( You will have something to talk about, but do stay away from grim news. The entertainment and/or business section usually works best)
• Don't be shy
  
• Always introduce yourself with confidence
• Never ask for a dance offer the dance to be had
• Take into account she is not alone and pay attention to her friends
  
• Never buy her a drink that is not on her menu
• Don't become a shadow ( Introduce yourself, have a drink and walk away. If you are worth her time, she will ask for your number)
  
• You should know this one. But your clothes, breath, and attitude must be sharp for you to pull off the first four.

Now go out and have a good time and if you can meet someone before midnight let me know. If it is after midnight its, just not worth it.


Here are some videos to get you charged for the night, the rest is up to you:

Glenn Lewis feat. Kardinal Offishall - Back For More

In da club - 50 cent

AZ - Hey AZ feat. SWV

FlashBack to the Real ::: Kindred, Christion, Carl Thomas

Kindred The Family Soul "Far Away"

Following:

"Easily the sexiest song that ever came out the 90's. Also the most underrated group to ever hit the scene so much so I have to double the bonus of Christion and show you so more of their work. Before I do so, I would like to say that I respect RocaFella Records, however they did a piss poor job of marketing this group. WTF!

CHRISTION - Full Of Smoke (ACTUAL VIDEO)



Christion Midnight Ecstasy
(JUST SONG)



Now tell me I am wrong! I dare you!


Here is another artist who was faded into the background. He goes by the name of the great unknown Carl Thomas. Seriously Carl Thomas, was another great R&B act that did not recieve fare due. I think RAP, and the focus of its money making potential may have been the down fall of such a great art form. If it does not dance or spit, it is not worth it, or as so they would like us to think.

Here is Car Thomas

Man so much comes out in the day ::: Is it true Ross? Say it aint that simple!

Wow I got wind of this a few days ago and I did not know what to say about this. Now I am still at that stand still, and I fear that his career is going to go down the drain. If only he chose to just rap, and let it flow instead of making up this huge persona.

Many questions is going to be raised about the authenticity of this guy and his close and distant affiliates and I know they are heated.

I can see it now 50cent having a field day with this one. One for Fat Joe being a close affiliate of Rick Ross to name one. So I hope he has a good story behind this. Perhaps he was a dirty correctional officer. Oh well, I am sorry to hear this, and I wish him the best in all his future moves.

However please note before you judge his gangster. He has been locked up and probably in the same jail her worked in.

More info on his arrest here ::: The smoking gun

Reality Bites :::: Is this for real?

To suspects in Washington found knocked the %#@@ out on stolen goods. Now I get the feeling this went one of two ways. These pillows were stolen by someone else. So these guys happened to find a cozy place to crash after being drunk out their minds, or they were drunk out their minds, stole the pillows and could not figure out which way was home and crashed on the pillows.


What do you think?

Read Story

Political WOW moment ::::: REV JESSE JACKSON

What can I say to this? Hot Mic's my Ass is what I can say! It does not matter whether he was wired or not. It is obvious he feels the way he does, and a sit down is needed to move forward. Rev. Jackson, seems to have strong feelings about Senator Obama, and these two men need to talk.

Politics of the moment ::: The fire in my hat

I need to know what the people think on the New Yorker Cover which touched on a subject that has been plaguing the Senator Obama camp for a long time. However Due to the nature of the New Yorker magazine, they were able to put this out. If anything comes against them, it may be for a few hairs if that, in terms of the losses they may incur.

However instead of me rambling on and on. I would like to know what the people think about it. Before you give me your opinions I want you to take a look at two covers. The one from the NEW YORKER and one from VANITY FAIR. The latter is of course a direct hit to Senator McCain, however I do not find it that much of an offense, but a decent companion to erasing some of the sting from the New Yorker that Americans may feel.

Then again, what do I know.. That is why I am asking you guys. So talk to me.

**Please note that the Obama cover has aburning flag, and the McCain Cover has a burning constitution.

Omarosa gives Wendy William a run for her money...

Omarosa can't be invited anywhere. Or can she?

I think two of the most imposing women in entertainment went at it for kicks. It may look like Omarosa was set tripping but the way that their legs are crossed towards one another. I would not be afraid to say that they have a thing for each other. Then again who am I to speak on the topic.

Wait and see. I think that this will go beyond the stratosphere. I would tell Tyra Banks to get her head at a higher level. Wendy Williams, the female shock jock is gunning for her.

I just had to do it....

When Jay-z popped his head out at Glastonbury and begin his show paying homage to Oasis. I gained ten times more respect for him, and in comparison for the amount that I previously held for him, that is a heck of a lot of respect to give.

Now I know this subject is several weeks old, but this is legendary in terms of the amount of notoriety that gained. This will forever be one of the largest venues to blow open the doors the way that it has.

RESPECT IS DUE TO THE GREATEST HIP HOP GENERAL TODAY FOR BRINGING BACK OLD MEMORIES WITH WONDERWALL BY OASIS.

There is no other way to put it. It is my blog damn it and I can do as I please and Oasis has made a home here. No bias on my side of town, is there any on yours? If so you just dont get it, now do you?

Oasis - Wonderwall

Jay-Z - Video Intro & Wonderwall - Glastonbury 2008 Jay Z

Flashback to the real :::: When the soul of truth shine through Music

Below is what I think is some of the realest music you will find in the last two decades. Although there is much more to offer from these artist and others that have done a phenomenal job. I wanted to showcase a few that earned my respect and I think is well justified in earning yours if already not given. So take this journey with me and enjoy the vibes of the summer.

Common feat. Lauryn Hill - Retrospect for Life

Lauryn Hill - Sweetest Thing

Dionne Farris - Hopeless

Don't speak -Leela James

Five Videos that turned coach potatos into pseudo pimps

Common - Go (feat. Joy Denalane)

Ja Rule Body Official Video

Jay-Z - Big Pimpin'

Pharrell-Frontin

(She's An) Angel - Pharrell

Did Ashanti Come a long way or what?

I think that it is safe to say that she has a lot more control over her art form. For her level of game play in the HipHop/Pop/R&B category, she is bringing some style to her work.

Although I think she is sticking to the formula the more I listen to it. She has executed it well, and for many artist, that stick to this formula, manifesting a hit has been slightly harder. I would like to see he do a little more in terms of lyrical content, however this is a good effort overall.

Oh did I forget to mention how Sexy she is now.

Ashanti- Good Good HQ

Batman is Far From Dark @ the Box Office

I must say that Christian Bale is the most Successful Batman ever. He is cleaning up the cities and small towns, one box office at a time. Pulling in a whopping $155,340,000 and counting. Which is for a weekend, we have yet to see what it does over the life of its box office rampage.

From what was predicted about this summer, I can honestly say that I am not a fortune teller, but the numbers are pretty darn close. With Batman 100 million short of knocking down the mark set for it by Entertainment Weekly and plenty of time to go, I think the success is there and I fear not to say inevitable. Although there are some misses, with Chronicles of Narnia, Speed Racer, and the Hulk Struggling to make back its money. I think with the overall outlook, minus speed racer, we have a success of a summer, that will be one for the books. Sorry Speedy but you just did not cut it in the domestic market.

We will see what happens, the rest of the summer is still here, so I am sure we will see some surprises over the course of the next 4 weeks. So keep your finger crossed and enjoy this summers movie buffet.

Check this weekends stats ( July 18-20 )

Also take a look at the all time Summer list and be the judge of it yourself.

Paper Plate (50 Cent Diss or Miss?

Many times over I have been left in the position that would force me, to come to terms with the nature of hip Hop Music. For long I loved it so much I slept with Hip Hop, and never cheated on her. However I am at the point where I do not know who is for real and who is not. It is one big show that forces the need to ponder the whats and whys of all.

Look at a legendary group such as Wu tang clan. You have a group larger than a small arena, that has placed on Hip Hop a license to move into the new era. They will forever be known for what they have done. Then you have them beefing internally and now one of their members is taking that anger outside the camp, to 50 Cent. A rapper that may or may not respond, and if so, how much damage can be done and to whom?

So what I need from your minds is a pure response to this track and maybe your take on Hip Hop as a whole. Give me feedback on this one.

Break the dishes, break the glass, but can you really break the dance?

This is incredible and can tell you much about how lazy the rest of the world is in comparison. Here are some pure examples of the physical capabilities of the human body.

extreme break dancing

Movies to reconsider :::: 'My Blueberry Nights', 'Hero Wanted', and 'Revolver'

As of late there has been a rampant array of movies hitting the shelves that had a short theater life or did not see the popcorn vendor at all. Movies that are great in comparison to the market, shelved into. Is it me or are we stuck in some sort of twilight zone, where movies that actually carry substance will not make it past the first week? Why are really cool films being overlooked? I do not know the whole answer to that as of yet, but I know that there are some things at play, that's not right.


In the past four years alone movies such as Revolver, My Blueberry Nights, Hero Wanted, have captured the eyes of many enthusiast. However found themselves slipping under a virtual radar of sorts. My hope is to shed light on these stealthy films of great art. Forget the critics, they suck, they do not have a clue and I am beginning to think that they get paid to say, what they say. Think about some of the films, they gave away stars to, or thumbs, that should have went up their asses.



First I would like to touch on Revolver staring; Jason Statham, Ray Liotta, Andre Benjamin of outkast, and Vincent Pastore. Now do not let the cast of this film fool you. It is not some lame attempt to fuse Hip Hop, Gangsters, and a Englishman that can kick ass and take names. What you see is not what you always get, and this film gives you minute after minute of surprises that can not be ignored. There is no kicking ass with fancy foot work, or slick slang from the streets, or lame gangster bravado. This film give you a thick offering or mind boggling riddles, and slick styling, that only Guy Ritchie can offer up. I would like to tell more but then I will begin to give away far more than I plan to. However I can leave you with one thing on this film, do not sit to close to that which you can not see.


Second I Would like for you guys to take a look at a love story that sneaks up from the rear and steals your heart, and rebirths your imagination. In its raw presentation, you receive a film that opens the mind to the possibility of love. In my life time I have come to feel that we are truly six degrees away from the truth. If only we take the time out to open our eyes and slow down. However how is that possible when all that we have to do, needs to get done, now? That I do not have the answer to. However I can tell you one thing, the journey can be shortened if you opens not only your eyes, but you heart. So I say ’My Blueberry Nights’, offers this short trip to enlightening your mind on the subject of love. What you take from it is up to you, but I guarantee you, if you have a heart, something will be with you long after that DVD stops spinning. I guarantee you that, Jude Law and Norah Jones will blow you away.



Third and not least, we have a action filled film, lined with a mystery and love, that causes me to ask the question, why is this film under the radar? Just as the other two films, I was taken away, into a world, that was unlike my own, but I was able to comprehend what was going on beyond the images. ‘Hero Wanted' offers up something that I can not begin to describe.This film is filled with the mystery of the persons heart and true intent, clouded by a past that only can be revealed in a series of events. Cuba Gooding Jr., offers up a film, and in my opinion, some of the best acting, to hit this market in a while. Then again I am sucker for decent scripts, and this is more than a decent portrayal of words sprawled across the page. Lets not forget Ray Liotta burning up the script, with his brand of acting that is slowly creeping back up on us.



Trailers:


So in close head this is my must see list for this month. If you do not see these films you are doing your fetish for films a great disservice and nothing good can come of it. See these films then come test me, by letting me know what you think.

My Blueberry Nights trailer

Hero Wanted Movie PROMO/TRAILER

REVOLVER - Trailer

Nas & Keri Hilson Jimmy Kimmel Live 7-16-08

Nas "Hero" on Jimmy Kimmel Live 7-16-08

The reincarnation of a photo shoot :::: Keri Hilson 'Energy'

Now I never thought anyone would be able to pull off the Halle Berry Photo shoot that made my blood boil as if it were infused with Lava rocks. Oh how wrong I was. Keri Hilson, picked up my foot and put it deep into my mouth and not only did she pull off the photo shoot, she made it into an energy filled music video.

Now that Halle is taken, I now know that I have a shot at Keri Hilson, for what it is worth I will knock out anyone who think they will get first dibs, it is my dream and when I wake I will be taking names. Plus the last time I let go, some dude came along. name Aubrey and ended my career run of the worlds hottest women. WTF! It wont happen again.





Whoever is her manager, and who ever is on on her team, I want to send this note to you. Good job, I could not have imagined this one coming my way.

Keri, call me!