02/02/2010
 SuperBowl Weekend Blog- Day 1
Written by Jerry "Mr. Live-N-Direct" Bagley

Okay, I arrived in Miami from New York and to be honest, I was just happy to get away from all the super, extra, cold 20 degree weather of the Big Apple and enjoy the warm tropical breeze of the Sunshine State.

Unfortunately, the first day after I arrived I was met in Miami with torrential downpours! Lol! I leave one miserable climate and now am entering another one? WTF! I thought to myself, am I in the middle of hurricane season or something in Miami? Shit, I didn't see this much rain since Noah's Ark! 

But even though it was raining cats and dogs, the weather was still comparably MUCH better than New York and I would take the rain any day over freezing temperatures and snow that I left behind in the Tri-state area. So I had no complaints and got over that shit quick. Trust me! Lol!

My schedule for my first full day in Miami was to go into the studio with legendary, multi-platinum and super-producer from The Neptunes, Pharrell.  I was doing a behind the scenes look at how Pharrell actually nurtures artists and gives them guidance and direction when he's actually sitting down and constructing a beat for them.
Putting together a track and producing the record is more than just tapping drum pads and playing piano riffs for an artist when you're describing Pharrell. Pharrell actually becomes one with the music. He can esthetically see the music in full color as it's being created. It's like the music has a life of it's own. Watching him work was like watching poetry in motion. A master at work. It was inspiring.

And I was blessed with the opportunity to be in this particular recording session with Pharrell and one of the hottest up and coming R&B Divas and superstars in the making, Chrisette Michele.  Seeing the two musicians bounce ideas off each other creatively was magical. It was like watching one of those old karate flicks where you had the teacher and his student trading ancient Chinese proverbs. But Pharrell wasn't a teacher in a negative or condescending way, but more of a teacher in regards to creating a path to show Chrisette, I've been there and done that. Take this risk with me. Let's test the boundaries of the creative process and take it somewhere we haven't gone before. Chrisette became this living, breathing canvas open to the art of music and all of it's wonderful colors. And the masterpiece that was created musically was "Dancing Shoes".

One of the most poignant and memorable moments for me in the studio with Pharrell is when he went "digging" in the crates and pulled out a classic Minnie Ripperton record called "Reasons" and played it in the studio. The reason he played it was to show you how a singer could take life's hardships and put it into their music by singing about it, but at the same time being inspired and able to overcome those adversities through the words that they actually sing. It was a powerful moment. And just to show you the range that Pharrell has, he played two totally different songs he produced recently. One for a major superstar male R&B singer that was lush with R&B vocals and instrumentation, while the second was for a super-huge female pop superstar (who I can't say who) that was totally left field on some Lady Gaga shit with that Neptunes feel to it. Way out the box.

So, thank you Pharrell, thank you Chrisette Michele, for opening your recording session and allowing me to witness something magical. To witness something great!  After the session with Pharrell, I had to release some much pent up energy and go dance the night away at SET and Grass nightclubs where the likes of Amerie, Kenny Burns, DJ Clue, Santonio Holmes, Vince Wolford, Shawn Merriman, Darelle Revis, Vernon Davis and so many more were in attendance. A great way to end the night. And this was only day one!!!

Thumbs Up- for the young lady in Haiti that was rescued in the  collapsed debris after 15 days! That was truly a miracle! I implore  that the rescuers please don't give up on their search and rescue  operations. Usually after this length of time, a search and rescue  operation turns more into a recovery operation because all hope of  finding survivors at this point is basically next to none.

To survive 15 days after an earthquake with little to no food and  water is unheard of. So for rescuers to have dug her out at this point  really and truly is a miracle. Thank God for the little miracles.  Because they all count. Keep Haiti in your prayers.

Thumbs Down- on the initial reports that are coming in regarding  monetary donations for the survivors in Haiti. It is being said that  the government in Haiti is only receiving a few cents per each dollar  that is actually donated to the Haiti Relief Fund.

Again, we don't know if it's true or not because it's purely  speculation at this point. And we don't know why certain sanctions  would be placed on the Haitian government and it's people at all  especially right after a devastating earthquake. Doesn't really make  sense. I can't even surmise or think of a logical reason if that is  
true. When natural disasters of this magnitude happen and then huge amounts of money is being donated at incredible rates, sometimes you have to think that some of this money is falling through the cracks and is not reaching the hands of those that are in real need. And right now because it is speculation and unfounded for the moment, you want to believe in your heart that people are doing the right thing and are not stealing the money. Because if they are stealing money, it would be an abomination of the human spirit. I want to keep hope alive that there still is good people out there that really care and what's being said isn't true.

Thumbs Up- on Barack Obama's first State Of The Union address as the President of the United States. It's only been a year since his  election and there has been alot of ups and downs during his  administration. Tax cuts, health care reform, the war in Afghanistan  and Iraq and job stimulus and employment benefits.
I spoke on this earlier that President Obama has only been in office a  year. You have to give him time. One of the key things President Obama said that was poignant was that his focus is "change", but no one said change would be easy. When you have years and years of piling on of failed government policies, reckless spending which accumulates the national debt, you can't possibly expect these things to be turned around overnight. Just hearing the president speak has reaffirmed my support and belief in him. Let's go Obama!

Thumbs Down- on whoever is out there that is trying to spread rumors and false truths that R&B singer Trey Songz is gay or bi-sexual. I don't know if this is some form of grand scheme to try and slander his name or destroy the positive image of Trey Songz, but whatever it is and whoever it is that is starting the rumors, it's not cool. It's just ironic that these rumors are coming out now especially after his former management team was replaced by a new one. Some people are saying that perhaps his former management team had something to do with these rumors because they were bitter about how Trey and them had split. On face value, that would be the easiest answer that they were responsible for what happened. It definitely makes you say hmmm?  

01/22/2010

A GIANT COLLAPSE

It was the final game to ever be played at Giants Stadium. The scene was already set: The New York football Giants had to win each of their last three games and hope the Dallas Cowboys lose at least one of theirs and the Giants were in the playoffs. The previous week the Giants had won the first of those three games in convincing fashion by blowing out the Washington Redskins 45-12. The way the Giants played defense in that game and had to think the old Giants had a legitimate chance to make the playoffs because the Dallas Cowboys still had to play the Philadelphia Eagles on the road which was not going to be an easy task especially with the eagles winning their last 5 games in a row. But hey, these are the New York Giants we’re talking about here. Sometimes they just find ways to lose. In the very last game to ever be played in Giants Stadium with the former team greats Lawrence Taylor, Carl Banks and Joe Morris looking on, the G-men played the worse game ever at Giants Stadium by getting smashed and humiliated 41-9 by the Carolina Panthers. If you as a team can’t be motivated to win a game like this then the giants don’t need to go to the playoffs, or let alone wear the big blue uniform.

RIP PERCY SUTTON

01/18/2010 
Cam and Mase Reunited?
Tell me it ain't so????   Is the original Harlem World, the original 'Children Of The Corn' back in effect? Wow!  Maybe this has been a long time coming. It just feels good if the rumors are true that Cam and Mase has set aside their differences to forge a musical relationship again, not only for the sake of all their diehard fans, bit to also give the New York music scene a much needed boost of creativity and dare I say the most overused word of the 2009....Swag? Yes, New York for the most part was lagging behind most of the country in its 'swag' department musically. And maybe both Camron Giles ans Mason Betha can rekindle some of that old Harlem World magic that they created in the mid to late 90's. No matter what anybody says or what their opinions might be about Cam and Mase personally, But as faR as the music was concerned, during the 90's both Cam and Mase were lyrical and creative beasts. For one, If Biggie out of every hot M.C. that was out in the 90's, and there was a lot of them (Nas, Wu-Tang, Tupac,   Brand Nubian, etc) said Cam'ron was the illest and his favorite M.C. that was saying a lot! Especially coming from Biggie, who some say was the greatest rapper of all time. And as far as Mase is concerned, he had one of the most successful multi-platinum careers ever on Bad Boy Records during Puffy's 'Golden Years'. Remember Mase just got up and retired from the Rap game out of nowhere. Just one day decided to quit and find the Lord.
 
Not because his record sales were slipping or he was a washed up rapper.  Just because he had enough of the Puffy  Propaganda  Machine. If your recall, the Lox told the story of first meeting a young  Mase on the street of 125^thup in Harlem battling going rhyme for rhyme. Now correct me if I'm wrong. But if anybody, let alone Mase, was able to go toe to toe with the Lox back in the 90's, meant you was nice in the mic. Handsdown. No ifs, ands or maybes about it. Then look at it from this angle. Cam formed the Diplomats and went on to have number one hits and a huge following and movement of his own. And the two separate times, Mase tried a comeback (first in the Fat Joe "Lean Back" remix and with 50 on "window Shopper" remix and video) Mase created a tremendous buzz throughout the entire music industry. What's to say, if things are done correctly this time with the right people behind them, that the two gifted M.C's couldn't make history again? Remember, they are both still young (early 30's). They are both hugely marketable and actually have a story to tell. I for one, a huge die-hard fan of just Hip-Hop music, is excited about the possibilities of the Harlem veterans coming back together I believe honestly, that they can re-create that magic and give the New York rap scene a much needed revitalization. Can you imagine Cam and Mase hooking back up and doing a track thewith JadaKiss and the Lox? Or swizz Beats having them with a hot ass beat, or Cam and Mase linking up with DMX again? Maybe not DMX... Lol. But hey, you never know. Cam, Mase, The Lox, DMX, and Eve doing something crazy just to get true Hip Hop fans talking again. And who knows, even Dipset can be brought back into the picture. But most importantly, It's all about the Cam'rom and Mase.

I'm telling you, I can see it now: surprise guest performances at the 2010 New York Summer Jam- Cam'ron and Mase. It's going to be crazy! Watch and see!

11/28/2009

Rihanna and Lady Gaga: Who will be Number 1 when the Smoke Clears?

Ding, ding, ding!
And in this corner: from Barbados, weighing in at a sleek 125 pounds, domestic abuse survivor and Def Jam recording artist- Rihanna! (crowd cheers!)And in this corner: from who the hell really knows, weighing in at a cool 120 pounds, that of the confused sexual gender and Interscope recording artist- Lady Gaga! (crowd cheers!)

Both artists walk to the center of the ring.  Referee: Okay ladies! Let's have a nice clean fight. When the bell rings I want you to come out releasing them hot videos and singles! You got it! Let's go!

Ding, ding, ding!
Rihanna: International superstar, Revlon and H&M spokeswoman, covergirl for Vanity Fair, Cosmopolitan, People magazine and any tabloid you can possibly think of, sizzling romance with hot R&B boy - toy, former flame Chris Brown, selling over 10 million records worldwide, at least 6 top 10 hits on the charts, mega-hits with Jay-Z and songs written by Ne-Yo. How can she lose?

Lady Gaga: Burgeoning superstar, comes out of nowhere and takes the music world by storm, sells over 2 million records worldwide, is tapped to tour with arguably the hottest rapper on the planet in Kanye West, wears a bird's nest on her face during the MTV Video Music Awards, no former flame or boy-toy to report of, 3 smash hit singles in "Just Dance", "Paparazzi", and "Poker Face", signs with Akon as part of Konvict Muzik, and Akon is featured on her debut single "Just Dance" which is nominated for a Grammy, too early to tell but some say she could be the heir apparent to Madonna. How can she lose?

The controversy:
 Rihanna- explosive relationship between her and Chris Brown makes headlines as it's being reported that Chris Brown physically assaults the pop-star.

Lady Gaga- it's being reported that her Gaga-ness may be a hermorphodite and possesses genitalia belonging to both the male and female gender.

Rihanna- a leaked photo from the LAPD of a severely bruised and battered Rihanna is front page news and the story is broken by TMZ. Rihanna confirms the incident.

Lady Gaga- amidst heavy scrutiny and swirling rumors, Lady Gaga confirms she is indeed one who possesses the sex organs of both a man and woman.

Rihanna- after her split with Chris Brown, is spotted all over town with a different assortment of men from: Drake, Justin Timberlake and many others.

Lady Gaga- no men.... or women problems that we know of. Lol!

Now to properly assess who will be the number one artist next week on the Billboard sales chart is difficult. There's not one particular formula that can predict that. But we did add those elements in to
factor in our decision making. And quite honestly, we haven't had a head to head record sales battle this big since 50 Cent was going up against Kanye West. So it's exciting. Not just for the fans, but to also re-energize the music industry and its overall sales. The talk and buzz are strong for both artists. And preliminary sales look good for both artists with Lady Gaga in the lead.

The buzz: Rihanna comes out swinging with a flurry of uppercuts and jabs and releases "Russian Roulette" which becomes a controversial smash single. Who is Rihanna really talking to on this new song? With teen angst at an all time high here in America and abroad, is this some dark, hidden message for teens in despair and in troubled relationships to commit suicide? Or is this a self portrayal of Rihanna looking deep within herself and what has become a sinister caricature of her own love life? Nobody really knows the answer.

The buzz: Lady Gaga is paired up to do one of the most unlikely of collaborations "Telephone" with another pop mega-star Beyonce. On paper, it doesn't seem to add up. Who the hell thought of putting
together this musical farce? Matthew Knowles? And was this pairing just someone's kooky idea just to try and sell records at any desperate cost that they can? But wait, the quirkiest of duets actually really comes off without a hitch! It actually turns out to be quite successful, and an edgy creative step forward in pop music.

Something totally different and unexpected. And the video is hot. Lady Gaga lands an incredible counter-punch, and answers Rihanna's flurry of sonic punches with a barrage of her own dazing the pop princess.

They're both in the middle of the ring going toe to toe now. "Hard", "Cold Case Love" and "Rude Boy" by Rihanna! And "Bad Romance", "Monster" and "Dance In The Dark" by Lady Gaga! Jabs, body blows and
uppercuts! Both mega-stars are letting it all hang out now! It's a photo finish to the end! Then BOOM!
Who will be standing at the top holding down the number one spot?!?

My prediction: Rihanna- 313,000
Lady Gaga- 297,000

The 15 Greatest Hip-Hop and R&B Collaborations of Alltime:

1. Fabolous featuring Ne-Yo
"Make Me Better"

2. Wyclef featuring Mary J. Blige
"911"

3. LL Cool J featuring Boyz II Men
"Hey Lover"

4. Method Man featuring Mary J. Blige
"All I Need"

5. Notorious BIG featuring R. Kelly
"Fucking You Tonight"

6. Tupac featuring Danny Boy
"I Aint Mad At Cha"

7. Beyonce featuring Jay-Z
"Crazy In Love"

8. Erykah Badu featuring Common
"Love of My Life"

9. Jaheim featuring Jadakiss
"Diamond In The Rough" remix

10. Donnell Jones featuring Left Eye Lopes
"U Know What's Up"

11. Usher featuring Ludacris
"Yeah"

12. Total featuring Notorious BIG
"Can't You See"

13. Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland
"Dilemma"

14. Ja Rule featuring anyone of these R&B artists LOL! : R. Kelly,
Ashanti, Mary J. Blige
"Wonderful", "Always On Time", "Rainy Days"

3 way tie-
15. Busta Rhymes featuring Janet Jackson
"What's It Gonna Be"

15. Rihanna featuring Jay-Z
"Umbrella"

15. Mary J. Blige featuring Cocoa Brothers
"I Love You" (remix)

Random Thought #1
I am one of the biggest New York Jets fans there is. Personally, Thomas Jones is my man and he's having another huge "Pro-Bowl" caliber year. Shit, he even had two 200 yard rushing games this season. But I
know when to throw in the towel. Stick a fork in it New York Jets, cause your season is DONE!

Random Thought #2
Wow! It hasn't even been a full year yet that Obama has been in office (technically he wasn't sworn in until Jan. 21st 2009, the transitional period doesn't count) and already some of his staunches of supporters are jumping ship.  What happened to all this talk and rhetoric about "Change"? Did you
really believe "Change" was gonna happen overnight? Remember George Bush had eight years to run this country into the ground and raise the country's spending deficit, launch two simultaneous wars with
Afghanistan and Iraq, had no feasible plan for health care reform, and you realistically think it's gonna take Obama only a year to come out of this mess and clean all that up? It's sad to say, but Obama's approval ratings are dropping rapidly. And he's not to blame for everything. This is the hand he was dealt. Come on everybody give the man a chance. 12 months ain't cutting it. Instead of complaining, go out and support the man.

Random Thought #3
So it's true. Captain Crunch really doesn't get soggy in milk....first it's man landing on the moon and now this! The wonders of modern science I tell ya! Lol!

Random Thought #4
Quick question: if a man in a high ranking position within government is caught having an affair, should he automatically resign from his position in office? Now take into account that this political figure was doing really well in office fulfilling his duties as sworn to under oath. The reason I'm asking is because of Mark Sanford, the Governor of South Carolina was caught in just this type of predicament. Governor Sanford sneaks away from office for five days to Argentina to cheat on his wife (he told everyone he was away hiking in the Appalacian Mountains<--haha!), now everybody is calling for his immediate resignation. Do you think he should step down or continue serving his civic duty to his country if he is still qualified to do
the job other than this one indiscretion? I would love to hear what you think.
 

11/17/2009

JAY-Z VERSUS BEANIE SEIGELCLASH OF THE TITANS PT.3 THE 50 CENT FACTOR
Okay, it's official. 50 Cent is now part of yet another Hip-Hop beef. But this one I'm not even mad at. You could see this one coming a mile away cause there has always been tension brewing ever so subtly between Jay and 50 since the "How To Rob" days during the earlier part of 50's career.  But unlike prior rap wars and beefs 50 Cent has been involved with, I can honestly say 50 didn't start this one. But you could tell he was dying to finish it.  Jay-Z actually reignited the tensions when he made a comment that was seen as an underhanded jab sent 50's way. Asked a question during an interview what he thought of 50's comments toward Kanye West saying 50 would black Kanye's eye if he tried to upstage him on stage like Kanye did to Country Music star Taylor Swift. And instead of Jay's usual ambiguous and non-committal answer either way to a particular question, Jay actual answered the question dead-on by saying "nobody is afraid of 50 Cent". Which could imply so many different meanings cause the comments made from 50 Cent was directed to Kanye West. Not Jay-Z. So what exactly was Jay-Z trying to say by making his "nobody is scared of 50 Cent" comment? Or was Jay-Z just trying to stir the pot?Jay can be very slick.

Jay can oftentimes be very crafty and clever with his indirects. And then fall back and play coy like nothing ever happened. But 50 Cent is the wrong one to send indirects to or infer any type of problem might exist because he will attack first and ask questions later. That's just his nature. So, there you have it 50 Cent is now involved with Jay-Z versus Beanie Seigel. Now it comes into play 50 Cent trying to offer upwards of 800,000 to potentially sign Beanie to G-Unit years ago, and supposedly because of Jay's disdain towards 50 blocks that deal from happening. Hey, and do you remember the now legendary Madison Square Garden concert with T.I. when Jay-Z and Kanye come out as surprise guests? But so does 50 and Puffy unexpectedly? And how 50 said Jay was looking at him in total shock as he just made his way out on stage. To be a fly on that wall! I wish I could have heard what Jay really said to 50 when he hit the stage. I'm just glad Lil Mama wasn't thinking about bumrushing the stage that night! Lol! Might have been ugly!And its like everyday now Beanie is dropping a new bombshell about Jay- Z. And I still can't get over the fact that Jay-Z tried to make it look like he gave Beanie State Property and the two Bentleys when truth be told Jay exaggerated and lied about that.

To hear Beanie break it all down from him taking over the car note from Biggs so he could give the car to his mom, to Beanie paying a few hundred dollars for the incorporation papers and right to the State Property name, this has been too funny! It just shows how a story can be twisted and manipulated into what you want the general public to believe. And because Jay-Z is Jay-Z the so called "God MC" and this superstar, that means to most people without the ability to think for themselves will believe anything he says. They are his "fans". And the definition of fan means a fanatic.And fanatics are obssessed with celebrities they idolize. Crazy but true.

And lastly, I don't see Jay responding to 50 or Beanie anytime soon for a number of reasons.1. 50 Cent is dropping a highly anticipated album and Jay is not trying to in any way add fuel to a fire and drive up 50's album sales.2. At this point in his career, Jay might not have what it takes lyrically to battle a more hungry and nothing to lose Beanie Seigel. Jay is already solidified on legendary status whether he battles Beanie or not. But if Jay so does choose to battle Beanie, and Beanie utterly destroys him, it can tarnish his legend status a little bit. Jay doesn't want that. And 3. Jay has always taken this aloof, above everybody approach when it comes to stooping down to another MCs level to battle them. Just look how he basically ignored the Game, Cam'Ron, Jim Jones and Jaz-O. Why would it be any different now?My only advice to Jay-Z is, don't let this situation spiral out of control and gain the momentum of an avalanche. You don't want to be silent too long and give critics any ammunition to discredit you. Just ask Ja-Rule. Him staying quiet too long and trying to take the high roll led to his downfall cause people drew their own conclusions. Sometimes silence can be deadly.

Random Thought #1 Sarah Palin
What did you guys think of Sarah PaIin's interview on Oprah Winfrey? Now in no way has my overall opinion of Sarah Palin changed since Big O's candid one on one sitdown with her. But what I did learn about Palin was she's not as dumb as people might think. She's deceptively smart and knows how to utilize a situation to best suit her needs. This woman who everybody laughed at and made fun of cause she was from the back woods of Alaska and liked to Moose hunt and ice fish, now stands to make over 10 million dollars from book earnings and speaking engagements. I guess she is having the last laugh now. Laughing all the way to the bank! She's smarter than you think! Plucked from obscurity, to now the media darling. Not bad from a woman that considers Moose a delicacy. Plus Palin is more popular now than ever. The people from middle America and these small hick towns love her. Some have called Palin a popular but polarizing figure within the Republican Party when at this time they are looking for someone to bring the entire party together rather than promote dissension amongst the ranks. But I did learn some very interesting things about the job of a Vice-Presidential canidate.

Especially after it was revealed that certain scripts were indeed written for Sarah Palin to follow. Vice- Presidential canidates are not to establish their own "mindset" or be a lone voice in the race. A Vice-Presidential canidates job is to echo the sentiments of the Presidential nominee. They are also suppose to help stabilize potential votes in "B" markets. But when a Vice- Presidential canidate is making just as many headlines in the newspapers as the Presidential canidate is, then that's a sure sign there's trouble. And that was the case with both John McCain and Sarah Palin. Palin was the talk of every major late night talk show. Entire comedy skits was put together about Palin on popular shows such as Saturday Night Live. Tina Fey was a bomb-ass Sarah Palin! Lol! Some political pundits are asking does Palin have a political future after resigning as Governor of Alaska or will she run for president in 2012. I honestly don't think so. She hasn't captured the entire nation on a world stage yet. And I still don't see her as capable to run our great country. Just my opinion. But who am I?

Random Thought #2 MacKenzie Phillips
Come on homie! Having consensual sex with your own father...I don't even know what to say to that one. Really am confused on what's happening in our society. Especially when we have this "Daddy's Little Girl" syndrome where our daughters really look to their dads for guidance and then I hear weird stories like this. I wonder how many more stories exist like this that we DON'T hear about in the press? And this is coming from a former child star on "One Day At A Time". I actually used to watch that show! I used to love Valerie Bertinelli. I got one question: why does these explosive admissions or testimonials come out when you're about to release a new book? I really hope MacKenzie is trying to seek closure and not exploiting something so perverse just to hawk a couple of books. What she's saying is some pretty intense stuff for any woman to rationalize and put into words, let alone words in a book. Father has sex with his own daughter? I can't even imagine it...and I don't even have kids. That one is in God's hands.

Random Thought #3 Elliot Spitzer
 Hol' up! Hol' Up! The former disgraced Governor of New York up at Harvard University giving a lecture and speech on of all topics....ETHICS?!? Holy shit!!! That's like a Priest spending the day at a Day Care Center! Or Puffy being the first one to meet Shyne at the jail the day he's released! That shit just don't mix! Not Client #9 Elliot Spitzer! Not the mysterious man known to wear black socks during trysts with high-end prostitutes!This class had to be the spitball variety from Animal House where everybody is talking in class, playing music, break dancing and doing anything but learning while Sir Spitzer has his back turned to the class writing on the blackboard. Then like in the movies when Sir Spitzer turns around everyone is quiet sitting at their desk like nothing happened. Haha! Jokes on you! And now I've also heard Elliot Spitzer might be reconsidering getting back into politics. The one thing I will say is he has a fucking big EGO! You can't tell him shit! He always had an arrogant chip on his shoulder like he couldn't be touched when he was bringing down so many people in organized crime! And here he is again! Did Mr. Spitzer ever take the time to realize that cheating on his wife with prostitutes while being disgraced in political office was unethical on his part?? He didn't see that as an ethics problem? And WOW! Now he's teaching ethics in one of our greatest institutions of higher learning at Harvard University? Never thought I would see that day! I guess hell is finally freezing over! Lol!

11/16/2009

Two Big THUMBS DOWN to Gucci Mane!This nigga locked up again! Is anybody, and I do mean is ANYBODY "surprised" Gucci Mane is locked up again? I seriously doubt it. Gucci Mane's name is becoming synonomous with jails and state penitentiaries. Its sad but true. And I'm sorry to inform everybody that I am not feeling sorry for this dumb ass Negro. Real talk, there are thousands of aspiring rappers and artists that are dying to get an opportunity to showcase their talent, and because of how the music industry is set up and designed, they'll probably never get that opportunity because its so political and all about who you know in the music industry that determines who will be successful or not in this business. And it's a damn shame that a nigga named Gucci Mane has been given chance after chance to become a success in the music industry and to take a quote from one of his own songs Gucci is his "Own Worst Enemy." This dude Gucci is the second hottest nigga in the game after Drake. And he continuously does stupid Homer Simpson bonehead shit and shoots himself in the foot. "D'oh!!!"  And now niggas are screaming out some "Free Gucci Mane" shit! Get the fuck outta here! I don't wish jail on no nigga cause I been there and I ain't trying to go back!
 
But I don't support niggas that continuously do dumb shit! Granted, one time it's a mistake. Shit, even twice, you still trying to get it together or whatever. But damn homie! How many breaks you want? And let me show you how fucking hypocritical society and people in the music industry are. Gucci Mane punched a chick dead in her face and it was splashed all over the Internet! Did anybody say anything about it or make a fuss? Nope.  Not at all. But right now he's one of the hottest niggas in the game!   Shit, he was featured 5 times on stage at the B.E.T. Hip-Hop Awards!   The nigga is celebrated right now! Videos on every network, songs in heavy rotation in the clubs. Everytime I hear Mario and Gucci come on the radio, I hear chicks scream out "that's my shit" and start dancing their ass off. But it be these same chickenhead broads that are calling Chris Brown a girl beater and is boycotting his shit! Get the fuck outta here! You are fucking hypocrites! Die slow! Gucci beat a woman up too! What's the difference? Oh, he only beat a bitch up a little bit?!? Lol! Get the fuck outta here! I hate when people do that! Let's call a spade a spade! Grow a pair nigga! I don't support stupidity. And what's crazy, Gucci's arrest is not gonna slow his momentum down one bit. As crazy as this might sound, this arrest is only going to add to his "street cred" of Gucci don't give a fuck.   More power to him. And how ironic Gucci's album is called "The State Vs. Radric Davis". Makes you go hmmm...or wanna scream out "Gucci!" An emphatic THUMBS DOWN!!!!

Random Thought #1
Is "money the root of all evil"? We hear that comment from people all the time. I would love to hear what you think or feel the answer is. My answer is:Nope. It's really not. I honestly don't believe that money is the root of all evil. It's the "pursuit of money" which is the root of all evil. Money isn't the problem at all. Having money is actually a good thing. You can do a lot of good for people if you have money. But it's how people go about getting money which is the problem. People will sell drugs, women will sell and prostitute their bodies, there's human trafficking and people will outright shoot and kill you just to make a dollar. There's almost no low that somebody would go just to get it.  Shit, I know people that will rob and steal from their own mama just to get money! When you rob and steal from your own mama, there is something seriously wrong with that picture. The reason I'm bringing up this subject of money to begin with is because there's been a lot of criticism recently about Jay-Z acquiring wealth and money has changed him. I just want to say money should never change "who" you are as a person. If you were someone who was happy before attaining a large amount of money, then I believe that money can only enhance your life that much more, cause with or without the money you would still be happy and stable. But if you came into money under not so favorable conditions or some form of duress hen you can't enjoy it as much. And I have to be the first one to say that if tomorrow you came into 10 million dollars you would change to some degree too. Anybody would.   And if somebody said they wouldn't is lying. But you have to ask yourself in what ways would you "change"? Would it be for the better or worse? Of course now you would have to be much more guarded and careful with the people around you cause you never know if someone is your friend for who you really are, or are they just around cause you have money. You have to choose your inner circle wisely.

Random Thought #2
How do you guys feel about the DC Sniper being executed a few days ago? Unjustified punishment or was his death long overdue?  After watching the interview with John Muhammad's family on Larry King Live (his ex-wife and mother of his children, their son Lindberg and his ex-wife's current husband), you never really understand what people mean when they say a killer's family is the victims too until you actually hear the family speak. That's when the realness of a situation hits home and resonates with us all. Despite what happened to John Muhammad's victims, and I am in no way making light of that, you do realize that he too had a family. And his family was just as devastated by the events that unfolded. Listening to his son Lindberg talk about never having his dad (John Muhammad) in his life and how he was seeking closure in their relationship on the eve of his father's execution was riveting. Watching the interview put a face on who John Muhammad was other than him just being a "killer". We still might not ever know why he went on his killing spree, but at least we got to see that there was people who did love him. And I thought what his ex- wife's current husband did by stepping forth and saying that they were there to make sure and claim his body after the execution and give him a proper burial, spoke volumes about what type of stand up man that he was. Another man might not have wanted to be a part of that type of situation. We always have to remember there are always more victims than just the ones reported on the news.

Random Thought #3
What do you guys think of former Vice President Al Gore winning the Nobel Prize a few years ago? The reason I'm asking this now is because there was so much extra scrutiny on Barack Obama when he won it recently that I want to see how people felt retroactively about Al Gore winning it since they were both pretty young when they each won the award, and both during their tenures was pretty active in politics and the media? Plus Al Gore's was a surprise win when he won it, so since Obama's was a surprise as well, I thought it would be a good gauge of a similar comparison. Everybody is talking about Obama. But did Al Gore deserve his? I personally feel that Al Gore deserved winning the award. Al Gore did so much for bringing attention and awareness to issues relating to our environment that we hadn't seen in decades. He spent years researching with some of the worlds top environmentalists to accurately provide statistics and information on how to better preserve and maintain quality use of natural gases and recycled material. I don't know if you guys knew this or not, but Al Gore also was the only one to ever win a Nobel Peace Prize and an Oscar award in the same year for his ovie "An Inconvenient Truth", a documentary film detailing the Earth's slowly deteriorating echo system and the destruction facing our planet. And if you ever really got a chance to hear Al Gore speak, you would see that he s really sharp and consise with his answers and point of views. I can see why Bill Clinton chose him to be his running mate during both terms of the presidential election.

11/9/2009

Russian Roulette: Rihanna Exposed!

Okay, so let's play a little game of Russian Roulette. Here's a gun, a six-shooter. I'll spin the bullet chamber anonymously not knowing where the bullet is. Bzzzz. I'll point the gun to my head and then pull this trigger....click! That's one.....

We've all had the chance to see Rhianna's explosive interview on 20/20 with Diane Sawyer. Do you think it was candid enough? Do you think any significant bombshells were dropped? Do you think Rhianna's side of the story and what she claims that took place that night is the truth, and nothing but the truth so help you God?
Honestly no one will ever know the truth and what really happened that fateful night in February except for Rhianna and Chris Brown. Anything else is pure speculation.
But I will say this. According to Rhianna, Chris Brown blacked out. Chris Brown's eyes were black, almost as if there was no soul in them. Those are pretty deep words to describe someone, who according to Rhianna, was in a fit of rage and engaged in a violent outburst.

Now I'm not no scientist or psychiatrist that is qualified to study the human mind or human behavior. But from what I know "Blackout" to mean by lamens terms, or by the good old Webster's dictionary meaning is: you may suffer temporary memory loss and the ability to control one's own actions due to severe trauma, whether emotionally, physically, or some combination of both to the point where it's sensory overload and you lose the ability to conduct rational thought.

Me personally, I've never heard anyone "blacking out" cause you simply cursed at them or argued with them. I could be wrong. I just never heard of it. Please correct me if I am. But I know I have heard people "blackout" because they may have been hit too many times and it triggers a response of enough is enough. I've heard of "blackouts" where you was caused so much emotional distress that you may have just totally lost it. I've also heard of "blackouts" where you may experience so much physical pain that your body shuts down in order to survive it. All those I have heard of. Never heard of someone just "blacking out" cause you found a text in my phone that might have indicated me cheating on you. That part of "blacking out" doesn't add up to me. 2+2=4 anywhere you go. And for some reason, Rhianna's version of why she thinks Chris Brown "blacked out" doesn't make sense to me. Common sense tells me that. And I'm not gonna keep quiet about it. I'm a tell it like it is. Many people in the music industry is keeping it hush-hush because you got this "good-girl Revlon image", but the word is Rhianna was physically and verbally abusive to Chris Brown as well. Cursing him out and calling him a "blood-clot" in public. And Rhianna was known to be very jealous. Jealous to the points of rage. Snatching his phone away, cursing and screaming at girls around him. We're talking about "obsessive jealousy". She was obsessed with Chris Brown. Let's just keep it all the way real. You did something that triggered Chris Brown to go crazy in that car that night. What? We don't know. Still doesn't give him the right to do what he did to you or justifies it, but something more than a simple argument took place in that car. I would bet my life on it!

I'm pulling the trigger again....click! That's two....

Look, Chris Brown has been demonized, ridiculed and called every foul name in the book that you can possibly think of. His career destroyed and irreparable on more levels than one. Chris will never get a Wrigley's Bubble Gum endorsement again. Chris will never have that squeaky clean image that appealed to parents and little kids everywhere. At one point I could have seen Chris Brown with his own Saturday morning cartoon. A Chris Brown superhero for the kids where his dance moves is his superpowers. Oh well, Chris you done flushed that idea down the toilet. Because that chapter in his life is over. Yes, Chris will be able to resume a highly profitable recording career at some point because it's undeniable that the kid is super talented. Can't take that away from him. Talent is talent. But because of one simple indiscretion, Chris loss close to 20 million in possible endorsement earnings. Because of one stupid mistake, you now have men and women heavily divided on both sides of the fence when it comes to dealing with issues of abuse, and whether Chris Brown should be given a second chance to redeem himself.  It's sad, but true, that there are women that have pledged to never buy a Chris Brown album again or support him in any way. It's unfortunate that we live in a society that can quite honestly be very unforgiving at times. But time heals all wounds and after some time passes, I believe more fans will slowly get behind Chris and support him. Shit, if R. Kelly can do what he did, and fans still support him, then why wouldn't they still support Chris. And what he did is nowhere near on the level of what R. Kelly did. So there's still hope yet. Lol.

I'm pulling the trigger again....(heavy breathing)....click! That's three.....

Now let's talk music industry politics. Especially when it comes to Rhianna. When this whole situation blew up in the media, the big time publicists that represent both Rhianna and Chris Brown took two totally different angles on how to "spin" this situation in the media in order to save both of their careers. Rhianna's team made sure she didn't speak, had her go back home and reconnect with her family and had her play this "battered woman" role to the tee where the general public was sympathizing with her every move, especially after the L.A.P.D. leaked the photos of a bloodied and battered Rhianna. Chris Brown's team on the other hand, let Chris talk, whether it was intentional or not. The bowling alley homemade video of Chris wasn't a good look. Chris days after the Rhianna assault jet-skiing in Miami was a bad move. Then Chris apologizing again over the Internet like he was reading off a TV cue-card was a disaster. And on Larry King? (Not gonna even talk about the bowtie-lol!) Chris was a nervous wreck. At that point, the general public's perception of Chris wasn't too favorable. Whoever was handling Chris Brown in the media was doing a terrible job. And then came the felony conviction. It was all starting to crumble around Chris, while the media was applauding Rhianna as this "survivor". It was crazy how the press was "spinning" the situation more in Rhianna's favor. And here's more music industry politics for you to think about: if you think Jay-Z didn't have anything to do with Chris Brown not being able to perform at the B.E.T. Awards show after Michael Jackson passed away better wake up and smell the coffee. And let's talk even more music industry politics. Def Jam for an example.
 
This is a FACT. When Rhianna's new album is about to be released, I feel sorry for any other artists that might be slated to come out around the same time cause it's gonna be ugly for them. The record label is not gonna support their project the same way Rhianna's will be supported. It's unfortunate, but it's the truth. Rhianna and Kanye West is the flagship artists for Def Jam records right now. The record labels are losing money terribly right now and it's the fourth quarter in the music business which means, their most profitable part of the year. All hands will be on deck to help promote Rhianna. All fiscal budgets will be open to market the hell out of Rhianna to the point where you will feel "Rhianna-Overload". And you know what that means? Less marketing dollars for Amerie, Chrisette Michele and Electric Red. Which could mean for them not getting the push they need to sell records. Maybe for some of them even getting "dropped". (Can anyone say Amerie, Electric Red) And let's not take it back to why Teirra Mari or Fefe Dobson really got dropped. So you have to put it into proper perspective of the record label catering to their "bread and butter". Its the politics of the music industry. Sad, but it's the truth. The record label don't give a damn about you unless you're making them money. Bottom line.

I'm pulling the trigger again.....-pause then- (heavy breathing).....click! That's four.....

Okay, now let's talk about the manufacturing of an artist. Let's take a good look at Rhianna. If you remember when Rhianna first came into the music industry she was the island girl. The reggae sensation. A possible dancehall queen. Three albums later Rhianna is an entirely different beast. She's now a pop music Diva. Gone is the "Pon De Replay" girl and here to stay the "Disturbia" and "Umbrella" lady. Her earlier style was more subtle, the long hair and still very pretty. But now her style is very much so "Fefe Dobsonesque". Very edgy, gone is the long hair and now replaced with in your face attitude. If you look at another former Def Jam artist by the name of Fefe Dobson, some would say that Rhianna mimicked and copied her entire style down to the way she dresses and even her "swag". Research some of the old Fefe Dobson photos and then tell me what you think then. Rhianna, an original, or Rhianna, the swagga jacker? Also for all you upcoming female artists, don't be deterred to follow your dreams to succeed. Because despite all the success that Rhianna is having now, she didn't become a superstar and blow up until her third album. So patience is a virtue.

I'm pulling the trigger again.....pause...(heavy breathing)....click! That's five....

My last point to make is Rhianna will eventually end back up with Chris Brown. Watch and see. You could tell by the 20/20 interview with Diane Sawyer that Rhianna is still in love with Chris Brown. Shit, you could tell that she was still in love with him right after he hit her and she was back with him in Miami when he was caught jet-skiing. Love is a funny thing. You can't control who you fall in love with. Love is blind. Love is in the heart and you can't hide it. You can lie and tell people whatever you want. But the truth is Rhianna still loves Chris Brown. And sometimes when you look back at their relationship, it makes you really wonder what did Rhianna see in Chris Brown anyway? Cause Rhianna is very mature for her age, while Chris can act like a big kid at times? Could it be their relationship was based on pure physical attraction and lust? And does that explain why Chris has such a hold on her emotionally?

And no, I don't think the song "Russian Roulette" is some devil-worshipping, commit suicide song claimed by Tiffany Evans. But I do think the song is edgy, even for Rhianna, but I think Ne-Yo wrote the perfect song for her at the perfect time when all this media attention is going on around Rhianna. I actually think the song is perfect for her at the moment. And the record is HOT! Despite the Rhianna critiques, Rhianna is really a hot artist. She put out some really big records and she's an international superstar. She has the total package. Beauty, talent and a great team behind her. And that's what's needed to reach the top.

I'm pulling the
trigger....pause....(heartbeat and heavy breathing)....gulp.....click!- BOOM!!!!

Russian Roulette Bitch!

11/6/2009

Thumbs UP for Jay-Z still trying to take the high road and not respond to Beanie Seigel's scathing diss record " I Aint Ya Average Cat". But to be honest, I wonder if Jay is really taking the high road or does he realize that this might be a battle he can't win? Beanie actually has a few advantage points on Jay-Z in this battle. One is, Beanie has a tremendous amount of street cred. The streets love him. They see Beanie as one of their own, as opposed to Jay, who used to be one of their own, but now has made it out the hood and really has never looked back. So the streets are really rooting for Beanie despite him being an underdog. If I was in Jay-Z's camp, I would give him some serious advice on how to handle this and that's to try and reach out to Beanie on a personal level and make it right with him. Whether that's monetarily, letting him out of his contract or anything else he might want cause if he doesn't, this could get really ugly for Jay in thelong run. Don't you know Beans ain't no "Average Cat"?

Thumbs DOWN to all those who are jumping on the bandwagon and see this as an opportunity to make records dissing Jay-Z. Look, if you weren't saying anything about Jay-Z before, don't say anything about him now. Keep it real. Don't be a coward. Beanie has the right to speak up against what he feels is injustices that took place at the label cause he was directly affected by it. Not you. Because once this all blows over, you'll go back to dick-riding Jay-Z like you were before. So keep it neutral and observe from a distance.

Thumbs UP overall for the battle brewing between Jay-Z and Beanie Seigel. Even though it has real life implications of betrayal, lies and deceit, unfortunately, controversy in Hip-Hop is always a good thing. It helps sell records, in general it helps promote both artists and on top of that they are both considered Hip-Hop heavyweights so you know the lyrics from both of them is going to be HOT! Don't forget, one of the key priniciples to M.C.ing is battling. And what better type of MC battle than one that has personal history between the two artists? So as long as the battle stays clean between the two and on wax, then it should be good to breathe some life back into the artform as a whole.

Another Thumbs UP for Beanie keeping it real by just saying sometimes even with your own brother you have to get some stuff off your chest as a man and duke it out for five minutes outside in the back. I think as men, sometimes you have to be a man and step up for what you did and beheld accountable. Sometimes you have to get your point across and get it off your chest. And another note that will make you go hmmmm like Arsenio Hall. The movie Dame Dash and Jay-Z put together called: Death of a Dynasty. Was it just a movie? Or were they really letting the public know in so many words that the Roc was FINISHED! What do you think?Here is the audio from 50 Cent and Beanie Seigel's interview talking about Jay-Z:

11/3/2009

This is the only thing I need to write about in my blog today and its for the GREATEST ENTERTAINER that EVER lived.

Thumbs UP for the new Michael Jackson film "This Is It". If you haven't had a chance to go and see the new Michael Jackson film, please go and see it. Its worth every cent you may spend at the theaters. Its an amazing piece of cinematic history that documents Michael's final preparations that it took to prepare for his monumental 50 show sellout performance dates in London that was being produced by AEG. It has been almost 5 months since Michael Jackson died, and after seeing the film it brought back so many memories and it took a great deal of physical restraint on my part to fight back the tears again.