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Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Watch the throne....close but no cigar


The highly anticipated album "Watch the throne" has been released on iTunes and the masses have spoken. Did the Messiah of all rap albums deliver? ....well not really. Still, Jay-Z and Kanye West are two of hip-hop's most respected rappers and are lauded for their bravado, craftiness with words and swag runneth over persona. But this album was not the masterpiece the hip-hop world thought it would be. The verdict is out, and the album was labeled "good" not great. Don't get it twisted there are still highlights and 'whoa' moments, so be not deceived by any reviews, after all they're all just crafty opinions.
The collaborative effort of raps heavy weights Hov and Yeezy missed their mark, "almost doesn't count' or "close but no cigar" could perfectly sum up the response of the people in reference to the albums expectation for greatness.

Could it be that we expected the impossible from the powerhouse duo, or could it be that our standards for them were not realistic?  The answer still remains unknown, yet some argue if the album was created by any other two artist that we would deem it classic...that may be true, but there are other artist,...and then there's Jay- Z and Kanye West...clearly there's a marked difference.
I guess what the people of the hip-hop world and I were seeking was the rap version of Michael Jackson's "Thriller", although that's not what we the people got, we were given great songs like N****s in Paris, Otis, Murder excellence, Primetime, Made in America and New day. 


Great lines...
Lines like " i'll never let my son have an ego/ he'll be nice to everyone where ever we go/ I mean I might even make him be republican/ so everybody know he love white people/- West. 
In the song New Day  Kanye West raps about hopes that his unborn son is nothing like him. West hopes he stays away from strip clubs, Amber Rose's, telethons, and utter self absorption and worship. His lyrics are perfectly crafted over RZA's beat and then Jay-z tags along offering his wishes for his unborn son as well. Pure genius.


On "That's mt b***h' Jay-z addresses the controversial topic of the plight of women of color in media in he raps,
I mean Marilyn Monroe, she’s quite nice / But why all the pretty icons always all-white?/ Put some colored girls in the MOMA / Half these broads ain’t got nothing on Wyldna / Don’t make me bring Thelma in it / Bring Halle, Bring Penelope and Selma in it / Back to my BeyoncĂ©s, you deserve three stacks word to AndrĂ©."
Made in America produced by No i.d. is nothing less of a great song with great lyrics, and an even better hook. The hook sings "sweet baby Jesus, we made it in America" and can be mistaken for the  words of an old negro spiritual.

“I told my mama I was on the come up / She said you going to school I’ll give you a summer / Then she met No I.D. and gave me his number / Ten years later she driving a Hummer,” -West.

Then  Jay-Z raps: “No papa, bad Santa / The streets raised me, pardon my bad manners / I got my liberty choppin’ grams up / Street justice, I pray God understand us / I pledge allegiance to all the scramblers / This is the Star Spangled Banner.”
Both  Jay and West offer honesty, challenge what's real, denounce the status quo and redefine "balling" with savviness, soulfulness, braggadocio, and class! This may very well be the best rap album of 2011, but it's not the best hip hop album ever, and it isn't a master piece either.
Songs like HAM, Welcome to the jungle (even though Jay killed his verse), and Why I love you, are misses in my opinion. Others may disagree but this is my blog (na na na na *sticks tongue out*)
Other great lines include :
Illest M*********e Alive
“King Hov, I’m exactly what the f–k you think / 11 in a row, Bill Russell rings / Michael Jordan swag, y’all think Michael Jordan bad / N—a I got a 5 more rings than Michael Jordan had / Elvis has left the building now I’m on the Beatles ass / N—s hear ‘Watch The Throne,’ yeah it’s like the Beatles back / Bey Bey my Yoko Ono, Rih Rih complete the family / Imagine how that’s gonna look front row at the Grammys.” 
Prime time
“Damn Yeezy, they all gotta be dimes? / Well, Adam gave up a rib so mine better be prime,” explains West on why he only dates models. But Jay-Z one-ups him with this line: “Our 15 minutes of fame has stretched beyond / At 42 be better than 24 / I carried the 4-5, mastered 48 laws / Still wearing my 23s they can’t f–k with the boy.” 
Overall I grade this album an A-, and recommend you add this to your music collection. Watch the throne has set the bar for what the next hip hop album should aspire to be, or even challenge. Weather it's recorded in Paris, Australia or a basement in Brooklyn, no one cares. Till then we are still waiting for raps version of "thriller", I enjoy a good album..but I'm truly in pursuit of greatness!!!!

Saturday, August 6, 2011

THE NEW “BASKETBALL not really WIVES” OF L.A.

Will they be able to keep our attention like the ladies in Miami did, or will this be like the Real House Wives of D.C.....exactly....who were they again!
Let's stay tuned and see how this goes down...Tami, Evelyn, Royce, Jenn, Susie and Shaunie are a hard act to follow....Stay tuned reality t.v junkies....stay tuned.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Hip-hops most anticipated album .....Watch the Throne


By now I am sure you have heard the song "Otis" by Kanye West and Jay-Z, the question is will the album be as good or better. Only time will tell if this album will be one of raps classics. Jay-Z and Kanye recorded in ParisAustralia and New YorkTheir new album will be available on iTunes on August 8, and in stores on August 12. Watch out for hip-hops most anticipated album of the year "Watch the throne" I can't wait to hear it and offer my commentary.


What Bob says....

You may not be her first, her last, or her only. She loved before she may love again. But if she loves you now, what else matters? She's not perfect - you aren't either, and the two of you may never be perfect together but if she can make you laugh, cause you to think twice, and admit to being human and making mistakes, hold onto her and give her the most you can. She may not be thinking about
you every second of the day, but she will give you a part of her that she knows you can break - her heart. So don't hurt her, don't change her, don't analyze and don't expect more than she can give. Smile 

when she makes you happy, let her know when she makes you mad, and miss her when she's not there.
- Bob Marley


He’s not perfect. You aren’t either, and the two of you will never be perfect. But if he can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice, and if he admits to being human and making mistakes, hold onto him and give him the most you can. He isn’t going to quote poetry, he’s not thinking about you every moment, but he will give you a part of him that he knows you could break. Don’t hurt him, don’t change him, and don’t expect for more than he can give. Don’t analyze. Smile when he makes you happy, yell when he makes you mad, and miss him when he’s not there. Love hard when there is love to be had. Because perfect guys don’t exist, but there’s always one guy that is perfect for you.
—Bob Marley





Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds!
—Bob Marley






Love Poem for the week: Him by P. Lafontant

Him

He spoke words of truth and even the harshest were delivered with kindness

He listened to weakness and never subscribed to taking advantage

He took sorrow and suffering and turned it into spiritual strength

He exposed my beauty, without exposing  my body

And now he  undresses my heart

So I lie here naked but clothed with hope

I'm not cold, nor am I ashamed

I have simply been introduced to love

And I publicly accept the invitation

To living the rest of my life

With

Him

...Love

P. Lafontant

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

The debt ceiling crisis. .....and the saga continues

Today while on Facebook I read the greatest analogy ever by Barney Frank. This is how many Americans democrats and moderate republicans feel about what's going on in Washington, Once again special interest groups AKA the rich and powerful win, whilst middle America suffers. What ever happen to doing the greatest good????
At the end of the day, the debt ceiling vote was King Solomon suggesting cutting the baby in half. Obama was the true mother, saying give the baby to her, don't destroy it. Republicans as well as Democrats who are angry at Obama were the mother saying cut the baby. When your opponent views destruction as an acceptable choice, you get the best deal you can. - Barney Frank





Monday, August 1, 2011

My celebrity crush....Idris Elba

Me and Idris Elba @ Grass Lounge, Miami
 We all have at least one celebrity crush, I was just blessed enough to have met mine. He's one of Hollywood's most promising up and coming leading men, Idris Akuna Elba. Idris Elba was  born of a Sierra Leonean father and Ghanaian mother, and raised in East London, that's where his irresistible English accent comes from. Known for his role as " Stringer Bell" on one of my favorite shows the Wire, Elba is no stranger to acting. Elba has starred in various films, Daddy's little girl, Takers, Obsessed, and American Gangster to name a few. Idris is classy, sexy and just a bowl of dark chocolate decadence. Having a down to earth personality and more swag then Diddy makes matters even worse.  Who would'nt have a crush on him! Idris Elba is what one would call SEXY CHOCOLATE. Simply delish!


Idris Elba and I, Club Play, Miami

Sade live in concert, if have'nt you seen her live, you missed out !


I been to so many live concerts, but Ms. Sade Adu raised the standard. Hit after hit, melody after melody, I was more satisfied than usual. The crowd roared as she swayed her feminine hips from side to side, and then melted as she wooed us with her sultry voice. Sexy and enchanting with out being raunchy, Sade is the woman we all want to be and look like when we're 52. Just to show how human she is, she was a few minutes late, and apologized to the crowd in that deep raspy voice, adding that she was half Nigerian and should be forgiven. Needless to say she was more than forgiven, she was applauded for her mild lateness. If Sade had taken an hour no one would've cared, she's just that awesome. Sade's music is timeless,and  she's been making music before I was born, and yes I'm that young.
The American Airlines Arena was packed and people from all over the world flew to Miami to get a piece of the action. John Legend was there too, but I mean we're talking about Sade here, no comparison there. As I sang along to every song with my hand in the air like someone was holding me hostage, even my friend Karen as reserved as she is did the same. I recommend all my music lovers to go see this Angel who wears black turtle necks and pants live before it's too late, and take the whole family too. Sade is amazing and all I can say is seeing her live will forever leave a lasting impression. Because of Sade we are all looking for a smooth operator, who's love is King, who will forever be by our side, and who's touch is as sweet as taboo! Sade rocks!


 

Sade performs my one of my favorite songs "Pearls" Live in Milan