"You Owe Me"

"You Owe Me" isn't just the commercial rap song effort from Nas featuring Ginuwine in 2000, it's what his soon-to-be former wife, and mother of his child, Kelis, is singing all the way to courthouse. In July, Nas was ordered to pay $55,000 a month, but now the singer and her lawyer are saying it's not enough.

I awoke today to a friend's status stating the news regarding Nas/Kelis and a variety of tweets on twitter regarding it as well. It was apparently a discussion on Hot 97 and according to dimewars.com here's a breakdown of what Kelis requests:

- Nas pulls in $244,826 a month
– Kelis rakes in a relatively paltry $13,744 a month
– Kelis should get child support totaling $17,225 a month
– Kelis should get spousal support totaling $72,728
– Nas should pay retro child support totaling $29,522
– Nas should pay retro spousal support totaling $281,571

I'm not a mother, or a wife, yet, but have a few words regarding this. We know Kelis's career hasn't been as acclaimed as Nas's has been. When she first emerged on the scene in 1999 she garnerered some buzz: she had a funky sound that was not quite R&B, not quite pop, she was eccentric with wild hair and had some in-your-face songs that brought variety to the music landscape. In the years following Kelis hyped up her mainstream appeal with hits like, "Milkshake", and "Bossy", but still hasn't matched up with Nas in terms of record sales, performing consistently and mass appeal.

It should also be noted that Nas, who is a big name in Hip-Hop and a veteran as far as the genre is concerned, doesn't have the mainstream following of someone like Jay-Z or Lil Wayne. I'm not an accountant and saying he can't afford all of this, but since he isn't selling like Lil Wayne, or creating business partnerships and running other entrepreneurial endeavors like Jay-Z, and is getting older in age, how long will that be the amount he earns per month. With that said, Kelis has every opportunity to supplement an income on her own merits.

She just gave birth, but as an entertainer I'd assume she'd eventually want to work more on her music career. I won't pretend to know what she is going through or what she's thinking, but this issue just seems to be more about obtaining more money that finances actually needed to sustain her lifestyle. Just a thought.

Her demands are pretty excessive. I'm sure her lawyer is pressuring her to make these requests, but she's making the spousal support and child support system look like it's supposed to be a cash fairy. I don't know the details of their relationship and of course speculations point to supposed infidelity, though Nas maintains that he was a good husband - far from perfect he admitted, but a good husband.

I'm not a celebrity so maybe I don't understand the dependecy of luxury to feel "comfortable", but if she is making that "mere" $13,000 a month and that is combined with the $55,000 she already set to be receiving from Nas, that is enough to provide a very lavish lifestyle for herself and her child. Retro-active child support when the child has only been in this world a month? Retro-active spousal support? Please. Kelis, I know you did not walk away from the relationship with no money in your pockets, and I did not hear any reports of you being with a home, kicked out of your home, or unsure of where to lay your head at night.



I guess Nas is kicking himself for not having a pre-nup. For the average couple, a pre-nup is not always something necessary, but if either party makes an extensive amount of money, or both do, for that matter, you should have one - just in case. It doesn't mean your marriage will be doomed or you are entering with doubts, it's just insurance. Many people go through their lives, fortunate not to be in a car accident, but they need it - just in case. We can't control others' decisions and actions and sadly, sometimes people become strangers to us, so you must protect your assets.

All I can say is things are about to get uglier. At a time where the focus should be on their one month old son, Knight it's dedicated to bunting heads on financial matters, dealing with lawyers and fixation on money.

A Few of the Biggest Movie "Haters"

Hollywood in Love Jones (1997) - Played by Bill Bellamy, Hollywood was that guy in the group of friends who always had a sarcastic remark not because he was witty, but because deep down he was a hater who lacked the intelligence, creativity and overall personality his buddies had. All of that manifested into the fake confidence and cockiness of Hollywood's persona.

His punk move: Taking out Nina after her and Darius broke up and intentionally bringing her to a party where they'd run into everyone, which made her look like an official homie hopper. After instant embarrassment, Nina asked him to take her home where he adamantally refused telling her to walk. But just when Nina was about to her walk home Mr. Lovehall (Darius) saved the day (or night.)





Debo in Friday (1995)
You couldn't have anything with Debo around! Not a bike, not money, and certainly not a backbone, which is what Red found out one unfaithful day. We all remember that when Red tried to get his "borrowed/stolen" bike back from Debo he got hit.

Punk move: Hitting his girl, but Ice Cube had a remedy for him. A royal beatdown on his lawn cheered on by neighbors tired of Debo terrorizing the neighborhood.













Remy in Higher Learning (1995) - In every sense of the word, Remy was a "hater". After being shunned by social crowds and laughed at his first semester in college, he eventually found comradery with white supremacists which set off a chain reaction of unfortunate events in the provocative film focusing on race, sexuality, and gender.

Punk move: Shooting on Peace day and consequently killing Deja (Tyra Banks)










The Color Purple(1985) - Mister
Hateful, mean and obviously eternally pissed off he didn't get to marry the prettier sister and had to "settle for Cielie"

Punk Move: Inviting Shug Avery to live with him thinking he could have his cake (served by his live-in servant/wife Cielie) and eat it too. Eventually moved by motivation and learning that her sister had been writing her years, she breaks the bonds of years' mistreatment.













Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)- Patrick
In this unique film which explored love, neuroscience, memory loss, and fate, Patrick is at the center of it all. He uses the old notes and memories of Clementine (Kate Winslet) who comes to his company to get her memory erased , and her boyfriend, Joel, (Jim Carrey) to lure her into a relationship using the advantage of knowing the intimate details of her past relationship.

Punk Move: Believing his plan would work. Although at first, he managed to woo her by using recycled memories, she eventually started to feel that something wasn't quite right. The film was a good portrayal of fate because though both their memories had been erased Clementine and Joel eventually met again and start dating only to discover they weren't the strangers they thought they were.

Competing for Love?

Reality TV is anything but reality these days. They need to change the name. We all know that most of the fights, eliminations and events are all staged and the only thing real about these shows often is the name of the cast members (well sometimes).

Flavor of Love, I Love New York, Tela Tequila, Rock of Love, Real Chance of Love, For the Love of Ray-J and every other "dating" show have a few things in common. Scantily-dressed women, egotistical men, stereotypical types of men and women? Sure, but not just that. The exploitation of the word "Love".

These shows seems to imply love is something you need to compete for, especially as women. None of them are looking for genuine true ever-lasting love on the show. If they wanted to keep it true to what it is they'd replace the word "love" with "lust".

Sometimes, as in the case of Miss New York and Tela Tequila, the female is the object of desire by several male contestants who want to be her man, but more common is females fighting over men. Does life imitate art or does art imitate life? Of course, calling these shows art is an insult, but in reality we do see women fighting amongst each other all the time and girls are starting to do it at an even earlier age. They're fighting each other, beating each other up and doing other vicisous things all over a boy. All in the name of love.

Should you really have to chase love? Should you have to prove you're the "best" woman for a man. Shouldn't he know that, or decide on his own? It kind of reminds me of the Mary J. Blige song, "I Can Love U", where she sings how she can love you better than "she can" while pining for a man who just doesn't want her the way she'd like. (Love the song though).

It just seems shows like these dating reality programs enforce the idea that men need a bevy of women to chose from, test them out, and then after some test drives he'll pick the one for him. Only, in these shows, there rarely are any genuine love connections made as after the show is over they aren't really a couple.

The cliche part is how these attractive women with these perfect bodies come on the show and the male then gets upset or surprised when he learns she's an aspiring model, singer or an ex-stripper or porn star. As Beyonce sings, "you got a big ego...."

However, for those who can't get enough of reality TV have some more coming their way when 2/3 of the Stallionaires return to your TV screens on August 3rd on Vh1 with Real Chance of Love 2. Let's hope at least Chance actually picks a woman this time.

Disclaimer: Not for nothing, I do watch reality TV from time to time. As a entertainment junkie it's my unspoken responsibility to know what's going on and who's who. Just don't agree with some of the stereotypes and behavior perpetuated.

Reflections of a Music Icon

On Sunday DnA Talk Radio broadcasted a show focusing on the aftermath of the death of Michael Jackson and some of the difficulties he faced throughout his long hit-filled career.
Like many people I was a fan. An unwavering fan who periodically got the urge every once in awhile to listen to some classic Michael Jackson. A fan who although the hit-machine days had declined as the King of Pop aged still valued his artistry. Despite all of the controversy that surrounded some of his days, Michael Jackson leaves an undeniable void in the living music icons category. With music these days in desperate need of someone with the talent to unite people as Michael did his death has now bumped him from King of Pop, to music legend.
With that said, here's the show.



Also mentioned on the show:

After 16 years of serving the masses as the leading publication focusing on hip-hop/r&b and contemporary urban culture and lifestyle, Vibe magazine announced Tuesday, June 30th that it would no longer produce the magazine or manage its web site vibe.com. The condition of the economy, print advertising decline, and the unstable music industry are some of the reasons by cited by former CEO, Steve Aaron of the folding of the publication. Click to read my blog reflecting on my experience as an intern at Vibe.

Pleasure P Aims to Please

Pleasure P's album came out a few weeks ago, and here's my take on it.

Those expecting former Pretty Ricky member Pleasure P's debut album to be drenched in riveting sexual explicitness and gyrating beats will discover something of a different flavor. In 2007, he announced his departure from the group and unlike artists who release music that is the reincarnation of the very sound that garnered their former group's success, Pleasure P is more calculated. Poised to distinguish himself post-teen R&B group fame he's here to introduce the real Marcus Cooper with a blueprint that has few traces of his Pretty Ricky days.

Introduction of Marcus Cooper is a solidly mature album as was foreshadowed when lead single, “Did You Wrong”, showed a young man sincerely singing to the woman he's had a rocky relationship with and wasn't of the borderline raunchy one-night stand caliber of some songs of today. Following the positive reception of his first single was the unapologetic, “Boyfriend #2, where he appears to have no qualms with serving as a “boyfriend on the side”; the single climbed up music charts and as of now, is his highest ranking single. Pleasure P showcases his mastery of the slow jam with songs like, “Let Me” and “Under”, but doesn't skimp on the sexual-themed or up-tempo songs like “Birthday Suit” and “Fire Lovin” – which is much expected by someone with a moniker like Pleasure P and who proclaims to be the “new bad boy of R&B”.

In an industry where featuring an overwhelming roster of artists on albums seems almost like a prerequisite for new artists (and sometimes, veterans) Introduction of Marcus Cooper's only collaborations are “I'm a Beast” featuring Yung Joc and a bonus track remix of “Boyfriend #2” with Flo Rida - after that, it's all ears on Pleasure P. A few of the men behind the scenes are the late Static Major who he attributes for giving him musical inspiration, Adonis, Cool and Dre, Rico Love and R&B singers Tank and Keith Sweat. The harmonious union between Pleasure P's voice and the production leaves little room for mismatched melodies and vocals on the album.

Introduction to Marcus Cooper makes a good first impression and officially catapults him into the ring with some favorite newer R&B heavyweights. With an album that possesses charisma and lures you in until the next strong delivery, Pleasure P pleases his first time around.

Never Can Say Goodbye

The Wall of Magazine Covers (this was only some of the many)

Taken at The old Vibe office location 215 Lexington Ave

A mixture of thoughts filled through me when I heard VIBE was closing its doors. First, I was in disbelief, thinking it was a rumor. The magazine industry along with newspapers has been suffering for awhile and while they may have been hit as well, I couldn't fathom a world without the magazine I'd been reading for nearly ten years. I recently had visited the new office in May while conducting an interview for an upcoming issue, learned about their new magazine, The Most Mag! and saw many familiar faces - happy many of them remembered me.

While the lives of those on staff are the most dramatically impacted by this sad news, it also hit me hard as a former intern of the publication (and several other former interns who have twittered about it or expressed sadness). I can recall being ecstatic that a magazine I'd been reading avidly since 13 would even pick me to be a fly on their wall as an intern but I was picked for Fall 2007. With very few classes that semester and on the brink of graduating it was the perfect ending to my time at Kean University. We were Shirea Carroll's first team of interns and were nervous but still eager to fulfill part of our dream of becoming music journalists. The semester was filled with hard work, lots of lessons, new opportunities and of course some mistakes, but it made us all stronger in the end and sad to leave the guidance of our intern coordinator Shirea and positive career model that Danyel Smith gave off with her mounts of success and always wise words of encouragement and well wishes. We also were surrounded by many other creative great minds on staff that influenced many of us and helped us cultivate our raw talent.

Besides the memories I'm sure many people have whether they worked there, used to worked there, freelanced, or just remember scooping a copy every week is the big question involving media. In my mind if the biggest, most popular urban magazine can fall, who is next?

It's like if you have a favorite table in your house that is so sturdy and one day a leg breaks off. If that can break, then there may not be much hope for anything else in the house. Amidst all the ominous news with the still dysfunctional economy, celebrity deaths, this was just the straw that has broken the camel's back for me.

As Danyel Smith once said on her podcast, Take it Personal that she does weekly with her husband, Elliot Wilson of Rap Radar and former Editor-in-Chief of XXL about the crumbling of print media she addressed journalistic integrity and who can you trust in media. Yes, we have news, gossip and blog sites, but many of those people are not journalists. Not to water down any passion they may have for media or entertainment, but there is a difference between someone with an interest and someone with a keen understanding of how to reach an audience, be biased at times and how to disagree with something without being disrespectful. Yes, journalists do blog, and some bloggers are journalists, but as great as the Internet is, anyone can hop on and pretend to be an expert.

The saddening part is that I've seen people comment on gossip and blog sites talking trash about certain magazines and hyping up gossip sites for their fast and easy news on celebrities. They often complain about magazines' content, the artists they cover and that the magazines are much thinner than before. Some of which may be true. However, do these people think that they may be part of the problem? The lower the sales the less money to fill it with content and the magazine has to make their money somehow so yes, it may be more ads. As far as the artists covered? Blame it on the audience, not the alcohol.

At the end of the day who is accountable? Do most of these sites have the artist or craft in mind or just a juicy story; sadly the later is most often the case. Do they actually choose their words wisely or just want to insult whatever or whoever they are talking about? Is there structure? Are they unbiased? Not to say none of these popular sites check their sources or that I don't go on these sites daily, but unlike the work that goes into fact checking magazines and reputable web sites anyone can feign it. I guess as someone who went to college to study journalism and at one point interned for Vibe and AllHipHop.com the idea of journalism is personal to me although I never had the opportunity to be a full-fledged journalist on a staff. All of this is constant reminder how our society is too obsessed with instant gratification only to be left empty handed at the end.

It's sad to see a staple in entertainment industry leave, but I wish everyone luck and show love top my FA '07 intern crew, Miryam, Claire, Guerdley, Emmanuel, Desiree, Natalie and Sabrina.
Here's a few covers: the first issue I helped work on as an intern, an issue I contributed to, and a few random others

Do You Remember the Time? Michael Jackson Best Music Videos

Any Michael Jackson song made between the early 80s' to early 90s' can most likely be labeled a pop classic. While some of those songs are bona fide stamps of his talent, he's also had amazingly creative music video concepts which always told us a short story. Here are my favorite Michael Jackson videos.

Note: Due to embedding disabled on all Michael Jackson videos on Youtube the link to each video is in the title of each song.



Thriller(1983) - "Thriller" still has never been topped as far as popularity, humor, and overall entertainment. I mean who can beat a vintage Michael Jackson in his prime sporting a red jacket, piping an addictive chorus with a jolt of fear as ghouls strut along with him? This is the number one video.


Remember The Time(1992) - Featuring an all-star cast of Iman, Eddie Murphy and Magic Johnson I've always loved the imagery of this video. The ancient Egyptian inspired royalty concept combined with special effects is what makes this one of his best music videos of all time. Michael serenades Iman as he mysteriously disappears from the guards who want to get him away from the beautiful Queen. He turns into dust and shows off some of his best dance moves since "Thriller".


Scream(1995) - No one expected the pleasant surprise in 1995 of Michael teaming up with his baby sister Janet for the energy infused musical explosion that was "Scream". Expressing their outrage of being constantly in the news and hunted by the press and paparazzi they came together for this instant smash single. The best part of the video is when they breakdown and start dancing in unison. Both happened to be in the midst of their pop icon peak when "Scream" broke through to the top 5 on r&b, pop and dance charts.


Earth Song(1995) - The video depicting the human destruction of the environment, poverty and war is one of Michael's most underrated music videos. Obviously more serious than his usual dance hits it featured good visuals and made more of an action statement than some of his other videos.

You Rock My World(2001) This song had a short time span on radio play and while wasn't one of his solid classics it was a good comeback nonetheless. In 2001 he wanted to remind us he could still rock our world with his a catchy hook and a song bursting with flirtation as this admonition of being attracted to a special lady is reminiscent of "The Way You Make Me Feel", and "Do You Remember the Time".
The video adds a little humor with him checking out a woman with funnyman, Chris Tucker before he belts out into song and dance. In classic Michael Jackson protocol he made sure this music video showed more like a mini movie than just your typical run of the mil video.

Leave Me Alone (1987) Michael Jackson was bashing the paparazzi way before Scream where in 1987 in an eccentric video featuring a roller coaster ride (one can link to the ups and downs that would soon be Michael Jackson's career) he features Bubbles the chimp, himself dancing alongside a skeleton and riding on a small plane as he told the public to "just stop dogging me around"

Billie Jean (1982) - Simple video, but still caught your attention. Jackson proclaims innocence in a song where he repeats "but the kid not being my son" The mysterious former love interest "Billie Jean" makes no appearance in the video as Michael avoids a reporter hot on his trail. He shows off signature moves as he steps from place to place with each spot lighting up.

This video also exposed the world to the "moonwalk", a dance that wasn't entirely his but one that he altered to immortalize into his own. Despite proven fame in the music business the CBS president at the time, still had to threaten MTV with prohibiting some of their popular rock(white acts) from being played on MTV unless they showed "Billie Jean". He became the first black artist played on MTV.

After the radio show, it's the after party....

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
Today we had our second guest, Nafiys "IModel" Blakewood, former cast member of BET's College Hill, season 2 on the show . If you take a trip down memory lane, you'll remember his season the most as the one with "Jon", the wild guy liked to run around naked and with Peaches who caught heat for throwing Jon in the fire (pun intended). Nafiys breaks down why he believes his season was blackballed after its run on BET with no reunions and no invites to any events, what went on behind the scenes, the importance of twitter, modeling, and why he'd be a good match for Miss New York.
(SCROLL DOWN FOR AUDIO OF THE SHOW)



To see more of IModel visit:

www.mrblakewood.com
www.twitter.com/imodel


On the big screen, Alicia recommends seeing - Star Trek and Dance Flick

IN WEIRD AND STRANGE NEWS
Don't Be Surprised if They Ask Where The Cash At! - The European teen who auctioned her virginity for 14,000 apparently owes the German government a cut

You Bee Serious? - Thousands of bees surrounded a NYC Game Stop for hours trapping workers


WHO'S ON TOP OF THE R&B/HIP HOP WORLD
Top 10 R&B/Hip Hop Albums


Also, for commentary on celebrity news check Toni's youtube vlog at:

www.youtube.com/shortisparkle
and be sure to follow http://twitter.com/albyoungmogul one of the most motivated industry go-getters around

And thanks to all who listened! Your feedback is always much appreciated!


WWW.DNATALKRADIO.COM

Reebok Re-up

The more things change the more they stay the same. Some styles and brands stay relevant generation after generation. Everyone has owned a pair of Reebok classics at one point or another (Adidas, too. But that's another blog post for another day). Sure, yours may have been the original white or black ones and now they're showcased in shoe store displays in neon green, pink, yellow, purple and a bunch of other loud colors, but when they called them Reebok Classics I think they were on to something. Atlanta's B.O.B's is just one of the artists featured in Reebok's Classic Remix Collection, which has paired up some of the newwer innovative music artists with a classic song from the 80s with the release of a new shoe. Kidz in the Hall and Kid Sister have also been featured on the campaign with their versions of, "I'll House You" and "I Got it Made". B.O.B's remake won't officially be released until May19th, but here's a sneak peak behind the scenes.

B.O.B. Reebok Classic Remix 30 Sec. Video Spot from reebokclassicremix on Vimeo.

Mic Check

I have more than enough recent albums to keep me busy for awhile; Chrisette Michele, Keri Hilson, Jamie Foxx, Day 26, a few hip-hop albums and many more I need to check out. But there are some artists I'd like to see to put out a new album now. I know I'm greedy, but blame it on the talent. Some of these artists may be preparing for a new release, but these were just a few on my mind today.


Whitney Houston - Don't hate. Ms. Houston still and will always have diva status. Now, we've been getting pump fakes for years with rumors of a new Whitney Houston album, but I heard this time she really is working on putting together an albums soon. Let's hope so; at this rate we won't get another album from her until she's 60. Not a good look.


Justin Timberlake - Sorry Robin Thicke, my favorite blue eyed soul crooner is still JT, but you're very close on the chart. Oh, and on that new album, Justin I want a bunch of ballads with a side of that pop/r&b you do and a song featuring Lil Wayne. Sound good? Great.



Alicia Keys - I was feeling a certain type of way about her with that whole Swizz Beats/Mashonda marriage controversy came to light, but I won't let that get in the way of my love for Alicia's musical style. I know, her last album wasn't that long ago, but I'm in the mood for that intrinsic talent that captures the spectrum of human emotion and love and that's definitely A. Keys.



Mya - She's not been forgotten in the industry at all, but where is the new album??

TGT- Weren't Tyrese, Ginuwine and Tank supposed to have this super R&B trio thing going on? I think all we got was a remix to Tank's song, "Please Don't Go". Stop playing and show us what you got.



Res - This woman has kept me hanging since 2001. After How I Do, she's still worked creatively on music, worked with Talib Kweli with Idle Spacehip, did a song for the Akeelah and the Bee movie, and released an album via Internet only but no official release. I usually don't say this about artists, but since you're keeping us hanging Res, yes, I want a How I Do part 2, no lengthy comments about going in a new direction and artistic expression, but just copy the same formula for me. Thanks.

Wyclef Jean - I need some electic guitar riffing hip-hop, singing, reggae mumbo jumbo and 'Clef is the perfect person, if not the only one who can satisfy my personal taste for this. Please make the first single with someone out of left field like a rocker or someone just so it has a kick to it.

Rihanna - Perfect timing! Maybe around fall or so, if Rihanna releases a new album out. I am very interested to hear, not so much any bitter songs indirectly or directly intended to get at Chris Brown, but how her style changes or stays the same. She definitely has grown a bit from album to album, but not completely morphed into something new; this year seems to have been a growing time for her as a person and her image so I'm love to see how she reflects that on a new album.







And just because I had to take it there: Spencer Pratt. Yes, from the TV show, The Hills, who recently during a radio interview expressed his dismay at the current state of hip-hop and added in he was a hotter rapper than most in the industry, "“I’ve always known that I secretly am the hottest rapper in the game. I’m the white Jay-Z in the game.” For his sake I hope he was joking, but I'm wondering what he'd call his album? The Silver Spoon, Very Resonable Doubt, The Wack Album? You know where I'm going with this. It's not that he's white that's the issue; the white rapper thing is no longer an anomaly or anything for anyone to scoff at it's that he puts himself in the category as Jay-Z and honestly is talking like he's going to save hip-hop when he would have a lot to prove.

More selections to come!

www.dnatalkradio.com

Group Theory

I recently caught up with some old Lost Boyz music, which reminded me as far as hip-hop goes they've always been known but somewhat underrated. They definitely gave us some good songs such as "Renee", "Me and My Crazy World", "Lifestyles Of The Rich & Shameless" and a few more. Which reminded me about the decline of music groups. The group dynamic still seems a working formula for some genres especially, like rock (which it always has), but it's highly underrepresented now. This is no new topic, but just my take on it.

We're in the age of what I like to call "microwavable music". Sure, you get some four course meals here and there with innovative and original artists, but for the most part there are many manufactured artists that don't require much grooming. Everyone has always wanted to make money but now it's the main focus.

Once groups started disbanding and people went solo, it worked for them. So, once it worked for them, whether they were a singer like Beyonce, Bobby Brown, Justin Timberlake, Sisqo, or rappers like Ice Cube, Jadakiss, (I know this is an extremely short list of many and people did this back in the day as well), the solo thing worked for you. You become the more "known" group member, and don't have to divy the money up anymore. You and your former group members claim the group is not broke up and you just wanted to do your own album, but a group album never materializes again once you reach success (unless everyone's career falls off and then you rely on the former success of the group for a "reunion")

Not to say artists aren't genuine or don't have the right to make their own music, but everyone else followed suit with the phenomenon. In this world we all want to be different, but yet fit in somewhere. New artists do what works. If being in a group is what's making the money they want to fit in, if it's being a solo artist that's what will be done. Not to say there aren't still music groups out, there's plenty, but anyone in a group is just a song and an album deal away from going solo.


Anyways, here's a throwback video from the hip-hop group whose most successful reign during the 90s put Cleveland on the map.

I Wanne Be Like T.I.(P)

How many entertainers have uttered the phrase, "I never said I was a role model"? Often this comes after some highly publicized indiscretion or arrest where people cry about how they're not setting a good example. While many shy away from this daunting title, others position themselves to be presented as one and T.I is now one of those artists. After his arrest in October 2007 for attempting to buy machine guns and silencers, T.I has literally been on a road to redemption with his MTV reality, T.I's Road to Redemption, and numerous speaking engagements where he advises young people not to get caught up in the street life. Guess the King of the South is now the King of the Mouth as according to an article from huffingtonpost.com, he's made 262 appearance as of now doing outreach.

A year and change after being arrested for attempting to buy machine guns and silencers at in Atlanta, he was finally sentenced on Friday, March 27th to a year in jail, getting a lesser sentence because of his agreement to perform community surface.

So, here goes: he now has an obligation never to get in trouble again - at least not to the extent where he intentionally does something incredibly illegal as he did last year. I repeat, he must never get in legal trouble again. The sincerity seems genuine and it has to stay that way. Why? Because while it's hit or miss when giving anyone advice, surely he has truly impacted many of the young people he has spoken to and if he somehow gets caught up again after serving his term, his message will be like a VHS tape - gone. I'm staying positive though because he does seem to be sincere in shedding away the mistakes of his past. Let's hope the old him is really dead and gone.




Should anyone consider people who are successful role models for the youth? Not really. Like I said, some people bask in that title and want people to look up to them while others want all the attention but don't want to be seen as anyone's role model. This is probably another blog for another day, but the problem is just because these people are good at one thing in their lives doesn't mean we should expect them not to have problems, drama, or controversy. The sad part is whether they want to be role models or not, many kids do look up to athletes, entertainers and rappers more than those who are business owners, doctors, etc. so because of that the lines do get blurry.

Welcome to Haiti

Sidenote: Title kind of jacked from his independent album release, Welcome to Haiti: Creole 101

Wyclef Jean is one artist that no one can dare say has forgotten where he came from. Many recording artists and entertainers from poor or urban areas get the backhand of their community for not stepping up and giving back once they've reached even a modicum of success. If they are obligated, if they feel a sense of obligation, or if their community is just too damn sensitive and wants a handout is subjective, but Wyclef has never turned his back on his native country, Haiti, that holds the title as the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. He's never been into simply proclaiming his Haitian roots or waving a Haitian flag, he's been active for years bringing awareness to the country which sits right next to the Dominican Republic.

Recently, along with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and Former President Bill Clinton, he made a special visit to Haiti, in efforts to bring the plight of Haiti to the forefront. The main goal of the visit is to try to repair the longtime economical instability of Haiti and also to provide some aid to the country still recovering from the aftermath of the deadly hurricanes last year. Apparently, Bill Clinton is no stranger to Haiti as he was very attentive to the issues which plagued the the third world country during his presidential terms.

As for Wyclef, besides, strumming guitars, notoriety from his solo career and his place in the supergroup The Fugees, and keeping us on our toes with eclectic music he's also been very politically conscious and eventually formed Yéle Haiti foundation, to fund the education of Haitian children and partnered up with other foundations to tackle food shoratges, lack of jobs and other related problems.

But on a Wyclef note, here's "Gone Til November Remix" video, with a pre-glamorized Destiny's Child in tow (when Kelly had short hair, when Latoya and Latavia were still in the group, and Beyoncé when she was just "cute".

Favorite Artists Turned Actors

Samuel L. Jackson once turned down a role because he didn't want to play opposite 50 Cent who was the lead character. He felt that it was below him as a serious and established actor to do so. As someone who had early acting roles as a stickup thief in Coming to America (shoutout to McDowells) and a crackhead in Jungle Fever he's experienced firsthand the climb up the ladder by paying dues first with smaller roles. He respects the craft and I'm sure music, but he's one of many who still have that old school opposition to entertainers gliding easier into the film industry than those upcoming actors who struggle for years for work.

Understandable, but some singers/rappers truly are a double threat and when in a film or on TV screen they convince you they deserve to be there as you begin to see them as their character, not what you know them for. (Come on, Tyrese as Jodi, priceless.) Even if you love them you can hate them, or if you hate them you can love them if they play the role right. To be believable, there has to be a combination of drive and that willingness to be vulnerable on screen.

Here are my favorite double threats with a few of my favorite roles from them.

Tupac -I preferred him at his calm introspective states when he wasn't the wild, loose cannon spitting at video cameras and throwing up W's. He's immortalized with his music, but willl always be remembered best on screen as Bishop, the troubled teenager from a dysfunctional home with a "do or die mentality" who felt he had nothing to lose - not even his friends. Bang. Bang.
Juice
Above the Rim
Poetic Justice
Gang Related
His cameo as Picolo on A Different World (yes, only one episode, but one of my favorites nonetheless)


Ice-T - Ice-T is the coolest former rapper turned actor who doesn't have to really sacrifice his everyday swag for movies or the television screen. He still has charisma, but he's not really that versatile of an actor. Ice-T's list of movies he's been in is actually quite long, but he's best known for his current role as Detective Fin in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and as Scotty in the early 90s film, New Jack City.

New Jack City
Law & Order: SVU
New York Undercover (Throwback! He was that trademark ruthless drug dealer. He even ended up killing J.C's fiancee which really made me hate him.
Stealth Fighter



Will Smith - Not even sure he should be on this list; his acting career has completely dominated his recording career when he learned long ago acting was his golden ticket. Yeah, he won the first rap award at The Grammy's, but we know as much as we love Will he's not on any of our top 10 rappers list. In Ali, he garnered a new appreciation for his acting skills by being able to portray a living legend with intensity and believability.
Ali
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Independence Day
Bad Boys
Hitch
Enemy of the State


Ludacris - He's actually an artist I wouldn't mind seeing in more movie roles; he hasn't done numerous roles, but the ones he has portrayed he's convincing. In Crash he wasn't a main character, but he represented that lost, "I'm a victim of the man" mindset. There was also that complexity in terms of him being a product of his environment and how he felt he could do what he wanted because the world owed him something. I love when Terrance Howards character said to him, "you disgust me". (He may have said, "now get out my car, but I don't remember)


Crash
Hustle and Flow
Guest role on Law & Order:Special Victims Unit (very surprised by his performance)

Mos Def - Who would of thought the guy formerly exchanging rhymes with his little brother and sister in the hip-hop group, Urban Thermo Dynamics ( oh yeah, I'm familiar with Manifest Destiny) and later collaborating with Talib Kweli for Blackstar would become known not only for his conscious style rhymes, but for acting as well? STLM, is maybe not my favorite movie he's in, but the fact he steps outside some of his earlier roles for a distinguished mature one that beefed up his acting resume was impressive.

Something the Lord Made
Bamboozled
Brown Sugar
16 Blocks



Ice Cube: We all know how hardcore Ice Cube was, and perhaps deep down maybe he still is, but writing scripts, co-starring alongside George Clooney, starring in family-oriented films (Are We There Yet?) is officially in the safe zone". People can watch his movie and not think N.W.A or West Side Connection. Not to get it twisted, he definitely could still pull off another Friday movie, although I hope he doesn't. My pick is his role as Doughboy in Boyz in the Hood, because gangsta mentality, gun toting, jerry curl, and all, he just wanted to be loved. lol.
Boyz in the Hood
Friday
Barbershop
Anaconda

Andre 3000 - Forgive me, I may be biased. No scratch that - he nailed it in Idlewild. The reserved son of a mortician who eventually broke out of being suppressed musically made for a good storyline with his character. and the scene at the end when his girlfriend is killed and he dresses her up for the funeral like with "She Lives in My Lap", playing? Pure genius.
Idlewild
Four Brothers

Whitney Houston (No matter what Whitney, I'll always love you) Longtime Whitney rumors and substance abuse problems aside, Whitney has always be a strong performer in my eyes. Whether through her vocal strength or through acting there has always been something authentic about her. Or maybe it's a native Jersey thing and I'm just biased. j/k.
The Bodyguard
Waiting to Exhale
The Preacher's Wife



Queen Latifah- She went from this harsh, out with an attitude take no nonsense young female rapper to a woman who has had her own sitcom, daytime talk show, makeup line, and who has appeared alongside many mainstream Hollywood actors. She is Hollywood. For me, the best testament of her talent is how was she so convincing as the hardcore, brash, go get'em and run lesbian, Cleo, in Set it Off. So all other movies aside my pick is Set it Off.

Set it Off
The Bone Collector
Bringing Down the House
Beauty Shop
Living Single



Honorable Mentions:
Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, and Common.
Tyra Banks - Only for her role in Higher Learning and Jackie on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air; her small part in Love in Basketball was kind of weak and didn't really have any impact.

Snoop - For Bones, horrible movie, but gets a mention because he portrayed a pimped out drug peddler from the 70s and I love the 70s. Bad movie, but Khalil Kain was in it. And also, Snoop's never portrays anyone deep on screen but his humor and charisma have made way for him to expand beyond just being a rapper.

Janet Jackson - Not good at all in Nutty Professor II, but she was cute as Penny in Good Times and I liked her in Why Did I Get Married?

T.I - I liked ATL and his small role in American Gangster, but I'd like to see more from him.

McNugget Lovin'

I couldn't help myself. So just when I wasn't done shaking my head at the Florida man who called 911 because Burger King ran out of lemonade, comes Latreasa Goodman. Latreasa just wanted some of that McNugget lovin' only to find that the McDonalds was out of McNuggets. I can understand the outrage, I've never encountered that either and I would of been shocked too. However, when she was told she would not receive a refund and had to pick another item off the menu instead of doing what normal/sane people would do which is, I don't know ask to speak to a manager or at the very maximum call the cops (even then is a bit overboard), she dials a 911 dispatcher. In fact, she calls 911 three times!

However, as most of us learned as a kid, calling 911 is no joke. I remember accidentally calling 911 a few times and panicking wondering if they were going to show up at my front door responding to the call. Luckily, that never happened.

When the cops finally showed up she apparently said, "this is an emergency, my McNuggets are an emergency." This woman cannot be serious. I love how calm the operators are on the phone. I know they're trained to do that, but I don't know if I could have contained my laughter. She was later given a misdeameanour citation and this isn't her first experience with 5-0. The Smoking Gun article contains more details and audio of all three 911 calls:
I shouldn't do this because I hate this commercial and it was only really funny the first three times, but here's that infamous McDonalds commercial featuring that guy with the fake R&B song about his girl creepin' on him......with nuggets.

The Quick Rise and Long Fall of Yung Berg.....A Timeline

The Quick Rise and Fall of Yung Berg...A Timeline

Above is a link to story I worked on featuring the ups, and downs, and well beat downs of Yung Berg. I knew he stayed in controversy in '08 while doing the research I just kept shaking my head at the amount of beef he stayed in. Literally, almost every month he had a problem brewing with another artist or had offended someone. In general, I admire anyone who starts off motivated at a young age and shows that persistence and determination to succeed. But as stated in the intro, is it really smart that early in your career to gather that much negativity? I'm not saying you can't stand up for yourself, but clearly some of these issues were based off recklessness.

I don't think his career is necessarily over, but he has to build himself back up for the right reasons. He shouldn't worry about being the tough guy and focus on music if that's what he really wants to be known for, in the future. All rappers don't have to be tough. For example, Biggie may have rapped about violence and guns (quite often), but was he really running around threatening people? Not so much.

Lock the Door and Throw Away the Key

I have no sympathy and very little interest in celebrities who repeatedly get in trouble with the law for incidents that could have been avoided. Do they think they're above the law or simply don't care? Mixture of both probably. Yes, at the end of the day they're humans just like everyone else and make mistakes, but why damage your reputation consistently?

O.J Simpson
Following his last botched attempt of retrieving what he said was "his" property, The Juice was sentenced to nine years in prison. For real this time. Whether we want to go back 14 years ago as to whether he "did it" or "not", after being acquitted he had the chance to try to repair a severely damaged reputation. Instead of fading into the background O.J managed to get attention for all the wrong reasons - drugs, domestic abuse, tax problems, you name it. He even managed to get a lawsuit slapped against him by DirecTV for stealing television signals. People have been bootlegging cable for years, how dumb can you be that you get caught and you're a celebrity??

And he seriously must have gotten every brain cell knocked out of him when he played football because in 2006 he wanted to release a book called, If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer detailing how he would have executed the murders if he had done it. He should of been locked up then for sheer stupidity.
Lock away the key. No one cares anymore, not even those who supported him through the trial. Bye.

DMX
A rapper fallen from hip-hop grace. In the late 90s/early 00s DMX was on top of the world with multi-platinum albums, collaborations with hip-hop heavyweights, and what appeared like a solid career in music. Well, crack is wack, and apparently so is DMX. Numerous drug arrests, carjacking, driving with a suspended license, babies mothers coming out the wood works suing him prove DMX had slipped and fell and couldn't get up. The icing on the cake for me was last fall during an interview with XXL when he said he didn't know who Barack Obama was and didn't even know a black man was running for president. Wow.
He's currently on lockdown now and apparently part of his punishment is he has to wear pink at all times.

Mike Tyson
I haven't heard anything recently but Mike loves to take a retreat from his criminal activities and come back every few years with a new drug or assault charge. In 2005, USA Today ran an article where he reportedly said, ""My whole life has been a waste, I've been a failure. I just want to escape. I'm really embarrassed with myself and my life." Again, someone who served time for a convicted rape you think would of dedicated his life to shedding a negative image, but he just kept racking up charges...and ridiculous tattoos. Well, as of now he's acknowledged his drug problem and trying to seek help. Better late than never. I guess.

Suge Knight
Does Suge have nine lives? Suge has been shaking the industry down since the early 90s through what most would say by fear, extortion and violence. He served a little time, but still never seemed to learn his lesson. But someone's not afraid of Suge as recently he got beat up during the NBA All Star weekend by a guy they claimed was Akon's manager, but reportedly isn't? I just get tired of hearing about Suge Knight; for someone who hasn't really been relevant in the music game for awhile he sure can't seem to stay out of the news.

Amy Winehouse
She should be jailed not because of the illegal drug use but for being a waste of talent (you think I cared when Britney Spears fell off the wagon. Not so much)
I'd say throw away the key, but perhaps lock her away and don't let her out until she promises to deliver a new dope album, get off drugs and gain some weight. Fair exchange is no robbery.

Sidenote: Bobby Brown could of made this last about four or five years ago, but he's been on good behavior lately. Speaking of Bobby, I never hide my shameless love for late 80s/early 90s R&B, so here's Bobby live.

Chimpin Ain't Easy

Is it ever okay to joke when you know because of a certain implication it could be seen as offensive? Or do we do it anyway because we think the joke is so clever and hope nothing controversial comes of it? Good question for The New York Post.

Today they are under scrutiny for a cartoon depicting police officers with a chimp lying on the ground who they just shot with the caption, "They'll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill". This cartoon was inspired by a combination of current events as yesterday the stimulus bill was officially signed by Barack Obama and and a chimp was shot and killed by officers in Connecticut after it attacked and mauled a woman.

Insiders claim the cartoon has no racial connection to referring to African-Americans or more so the president as a chimp, but is poking fun and calling the writer of the stimulus bill a chimp, not the president. If that was the case, then yes people would be overacting.

Of course Reverend Al Sharpton's spider sense went off when he heard about this and he released a statement saying, "Being that the stimulus bill has been the first legislative victory of President Barack Obama ... and has become synonymous with him, it is not a reach to wonder: are they inferring that a monkey wrote the last bill?... The Post should at best clarify what point they were trying to make, or in fact reprimand their cartoonist."


I doubt Obama will speak on it, but there's also a chance he's personally not offended by it and doesn't think it was in reference to him. But as intellectuals on staff, I'm surprised no one raised any flags about how this might be perceived or maybe they didn't care. The average person when they see that cartoon will not assume they're referring to the writer of the stimulus act, but of the president who has been the main person involved with pushing it. Even if someone was sitting back there giggling at the implication of the chimp representing Obama, we'll never really know the truth or they'll never admit it.

Update: They issued an apology to anyone who was offended, but then in a very backhanded way said that anyone who has it out for them they are not apologizing to. That's like being a schoolyard bully being forced to apologize to a kid you beat up and saying, "I'm sorry, but I'm really not apologizing because those kids over there beat me up too"....best analogy I can think of at the moment, but definitely not sincere.

But the original article is here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/18/new-york-post-chimp-carto_n_167841.html


Article on Woman Attacked by Chimp:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/16/chimp.attack/

Re-Makin' it Happen

Plies. Oh Plies. How many of my favorite R&B songs from the 80s are you going to sample? First, he sampled Janet Jackson's "Come Back to Me" for "Bust it Baby Part 2" and now in his new song which features Ashanti he jacks The Deele's (80s group with Babyface, Antonio L.A Reid and four others), "Two Occasions".

Blasphemy! Now my music knowledge is pretty vast but not omniscient but maybe these songs contained elements of others as well, but I have a big problem with remakes if it doesn't do the original any justice. And I know some random bottom feeder songs that never made it big, so it's even more of a surprise when someone comes out with a new song and it has elements of a song that never made it big because now you know they're getting away with no flack for it.
Granted, sampling and having elements of other songs doesn't mean it's free which is why we hear of artists getting sued every once in awhile.

There's nothing wrong with modern versions of songs or remakes, but artists rely on them too heavily especially these newer ones. Think of this familiar formula: A new singer or rapper wants to come up in the game and they may not be extremely talented, but have a look that'll work in the music scene. All you have to do is get some producers behind a track, take a song from the past that worked or had a catchy beat or hook and you can cook yourself up a hit. Whether their career stands the test of the time is often up in the air, but back in the day old school singers had to claw their way in. And back then you didn't even have to be the best looking. Although it helped, it really was all about if you could carry a tune.

This is also rampant in the film industry. Remakes of old movies, relying on the popularity of a comic book storyline, and importing overseas plots into new movies permeate. It's more evident to me in the horror genre as it seems no one can come up with any scary themes or villains so they rely on the stale leftover hype of a 70s/80s movie to carry a new movie. The most recent remake in the works is a remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street minus Robert Englund which sounds like a cinematic disaster.

There's nothing wrong with being inspired by something, but where does it end and when can we begin again?




In honor of it being one of my favorite songs here's "Two Occasions", but honestly these guys sound much better than they look in this video (Babyface is the only one who looks somewhat normal in it).

The Valentine's Day Anti-Virus

It's really not my fault Cupid's arrow misses me until some point before or after Valentine's Day (Thanks Cu, you're the man). Ironically, around February I'm usually never even "talking" to anyone to fully enjoy it. Sure, I could have a makeshift Valentine, but not my style. I don't hate Valentine's Day for one reason. I love to raid the Valentine-themed section at stores afterward when it's discounted. Even if I was bitter on V-Day I'll eat a chocolate heart in a minute. Plus, you can make Valentine's Day whatever you want sure it's geared to the couples but plenty show excess love and appreciation to friends and family members too.

Jen who kind of gave me the idea for this blog believe that V-Day was cute when you were a kid when it was all cards and candy but now all it does is remind you of sex and candy. She didn't mention love, so I'm assuming she doesn't see it that way at the moment, but I guess the only thing that stays constant is the candy which sounds like a sweet deal to me.

So, I rounded up responses from a few friends and acquaintances on their favorite anti-love/ relationship/ anti-opposite sex or or breakup song and I added my personal suggested song by that artist to remedy the anti-love song. Oh, and for those who didn't respond, I forgive you, I hate being put on the spot too ;)


Arien/Knowledge says "I Get Around" by 2Pac
Reason: "Hell if I know, cuz it's funny? Cuz he says, "well if I couldn't have it silly rabbit why ya sweatin' me"
Remedy for that anti-love song: "Me & My Girlfriend". Ohh..no wait he's talking about his gun. Nevermind. Ok , "Do For Love" from R U Still Down(Remember Me)? But then again in the song he had a girl when he met her, she knew and eventually she cheats on him...damn.
Well, he shows some much respected love for his mom on "Dear Mama".
Where to Find Knowledge:
http://www.knowledgethinks.blogspot.com/

Allie says "Bust Your Windows" by Jasmine Sullivan
Reason: "It actually was the first song that popped in my mind it's such a real song".
The Remedy: Jazmine Sullivan's "Need U Bad". Great song, good lyrics, but definitely I'm never letting you go again crazy kind of love.

Nafiys IModel Blakewood says "See You in My Nightmare" by Kanye West
Reason: " I never had love on valentines, no one to give my heart too"
The remedy:"Gold Digger" because sometimes giving your heart means giving your wallet too, but seriously funny song which has undertones of truth in it.
"Good Life" is a good carefree song to listen to.
Where to Find Nafiys: http://www.mrblakewood.com/

Megan (she's special and gets two picks) says "See You in My Nightmare" by Kanye West
Reason: Because it's such a f**k your couch I don't even love you a little song
Remedy: Try "Slow Jamz" because the song was a lot better than the wack video and I'm sure you remember those guys singing it to us in '03 while we were in Target

and
My Friends Over You" by New Found Glory
Reason: "It's the other extreme where it didn't work out but it's cool 'cause I have my friends".
Remedy: Of the few NFG songs I knew and liked at one point, none of them are saying any positive about love. lol.

Bob says "I Hate You So Much Right Now" by Kelis
Reason: "Cuz it's a song you can yell and not seem crazy"
Remedy: "Marathon" off Tasty which I'm sure you have.

CeCe "Paparazzi" says "Lions, Tigers, and Bears" by Jazmine Sullivan
Reason: "Favorite line. Why do we love love when love seems to hate us".
Remedy: "And I". She's busted windows and is ready to move on.
http://tinyurl.com/aqvsfu
to get to Cyncere Photography and Publishing



Al B. Young says "I don't have one, I'm all about the love." but then
on his own comes up with Keyshia Cole's, "I Changed My Mind"
Remedy: Keyshia's entire new album, I promise this time she's not on the love-lost/gone wrong type of tracks this time around. "You Complete Me" is a good one.
Where to Find Him: http://www.crackhouserock.blogspot.com/


Jen says "Separation of Church and State" by NOFX
Reason: "It's about the loss of freedom which sometimes can happen sometimes when you and are in a relationship".
Remedy: I don't know any NOFX songs to give you a remedy, sorry. Watch the end of Sex and the City movie where everyone ends up happy.


Uch says "Doin' Just Fine" by Boyz II Men
"It says a lot in that song, let's the girl know she made a mistake".
Remedy: Can't go wrong with "I'll Make Love To You". I'm sure many babies are still made off this song nearly 15 yrs later.

Myke says ""What Goes Around.../...Comes Around" by Justin Timberlake"
Reason: "Because I felt like that in my first relationship".
Remedy: "Until the End of Time", the version with Beyoncé even better



Some anti-love/relationship/breakup songs off the top of my head:
'Goody Goody" - Frankie Lymon (in a blog from '06 I explained this as .a.k.a good riddance you got what you deserved covered up by euphemistic lyrics and high pitch overtones before it was acceptable in music society to just say f- you b**h for breaking my heart)

"Break up to Make Up" - The Stylistics (classic)
"Heartbreaker" - Mariah Carey
"Son of a Gun" - Janet Jackson (jacking Carly Simon..I bet you think this song is about you....and it is! But even if it wasn't about you, you'd think it was...)
"Baby That's Backacha" - Smokey Robinson
"You and I" - Jason Mraz
"I Wish" - Heather Headley
"The One I Gave My Heart To" - Aaliyah
"Ms. Phat Booty" - Mos Def (damn, Mos Def was really feeling you and you played him)
"I Don't Ever Wanna See You Again" -Uncle Sam (I guess he was so heart broken he couldn't even make another song - well he did make that one, "Baby U Are" which was bad)
"Ice King" - Res
"Ex-Factor" - Lauryn Hill
"In My Bed" - Dru Hill (At age 11 the video's girl on girl creeping element did surprise me, lol)
"Me, Myself and I" -Beyoncé (Alicia reminded me of this song yesterday)
"Get Money" - Junior Mafia (I like the chorus, 'nuff said)