Happy Hump Day: Video Spotlight: CJ Hilton - Cold Summer

I've already introduced you to R&B newcomer CJ Hilton in a previous post Video Spotlight - CJ Hilton - So Fresh and now he's back with another song that I absolutely love entitled "Cold Summer".  I listed several of CJ's musical influences in the previous post and you can hear them come out on this song even more. 

Check out the video for Cold Summer:

Just a little something to get you over that hump ;-)

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Do you like the song?

Can you point out his musical influences in the song?

Who does he sound like most?

Are you a fan?

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS!!!!

Musical Review: Fela! At The Ahmanson Theatre

My family and I went to see the Broadway Play, Fela! which is based off the life and music of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, "a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, pioneer of Afrobeat music, political rights activist and political maverick." (from Wikipedia - Fela Kuti Biography)  He ingeniously fused Jazz, Cuban rhythm, Funk and African drums to create the sound known today as "Afrobeat".  Fela focused on the happenings in the then extremely corrupt part of Nigeria known as Lagos and used his music as a political platform to evoke social change. 

The play was set in Fela's compound known as The Shrine, where he performed all of his work for the locals of Nigeria during the 70s.  Fela was arrested on several occasions in Nigeria for his political views that he shared through his music and soon became an international star with Reggae star Bob Marley, among others, wanting to work with him.  Fela died in 1997 of AIDS, but his music and legacy lives on as Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, Jay-z and Questlove signed on to produce the play on Broadway in 2009 as it finally made its way to Los Angeles in 2012.

Fela! the play was vibrant and exuberant from the moment the curtains were drawn.  The music was melodic and rhythmic as the band played live and his dancers gyrated across and up and down the stage.  Fela was played by Sahr Ngaujah, who embodied the legend's cocky bravado and larger than life persona as he belted out Fela classics like "Stalemate", "Zombie" and "Black President".

There was even a moment when Sahr made the entire theatre stand to their feet to dance to his rhythms as he directed them verbally from the stage.  The show was very interactive and maintained a high level of energy just like many of Fela's songs.  The play took me back to that time of political issues and uncertainty in the United States and across the sea to Lagos, Nigeria, which was strictly controlled by a corrupt political system and police and military force.  The play touched on many of these occurrences and coupled them with the inspiration Fela experienced in order to write and create music about the dreadful occurrences at that time.

Fela Kuti is an inspirational artist that not only garnered influence from the states and James Brown with his civil rights music and The Black Panther Party, but his legacy lives on through this very inspirational play that shows a day in the life of Fela (meaning He Who Emanates Greatness).  The artist, activist, musician, composer and legend.  I wish there were more dates in Los Angeles as it tours throughout the country so that I could urge my readers in LA to attend.  However, check the website http://www.felaonbroadway.com/ for upcoming dates of the tour and more information on the production.  I enjoyed every minute of it an was so thankful to get the chance to attend.

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Have you ever heard of Fela Kuti?
Have you heard his music?
Are you a fan?
Have you seen the play or do you plan on seeing it?
What are your thoughts on his music and legacy?

Social Politics: Should "Others" Be Able To Use The "N" Word Freely?!?!

While watching Jay-Z and Kanye West perform at Staples Center in Los Angeles in December at the Watch The Throne concert, I was recently met with an experience that made me wonder is this type of occurrence something black folks should focus on or let go in this day and age.  On Kanye's song "All Of The Lights" off his 5th studio album "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy", he speaks of a world without pop superstar Michael Jackson, following his untimely death in 2010, with the line, "Something wrong. I hold my head. MJ gone.  Our n*&^% dead."  Of course this is one of my favorite lines on the song, but when all of Staples Center chimed in on this part, I can't lie and say that it didn't bother me and make me a bit uncomfortable.  Especially since the crowd was primarily comprised of "others". 

While performing, Kanye even stopped the music and talked directly to the crowd about using the "n" word in that instance and that he was giving everyone a pass that tonight.  The entire stadium laughed and as the music began again, Kanye repeated the line.  This time, it seemed as though the stadium said it even louder and with more enthusiasm.  Kanye said they could get a pass that night, but it really made me think.  Hip Hop/Rap music has exposed other races to black culture, specifically, our slang, swag, etc.  Is it wrong for Hip Hop artists or black people in general to expect "others" to bleep out the "n" word every time it is used in a song they are listening to?  Do "others" sing songs like this in the privacy of their homes and use the "n" word behind closed doors?

I recall several years back Latino artists like J.Lo and Fat Joe also being called on the carpet for using the "n" word in songs that they recorded.  Are Latinos who don't consider themselves to be "black" allowed to use the word because they maybe grew up in the same struggle or near and around African Americans? Or should they be restricted from using the word as well?

I've been pondering this issue for awhile now and I wanted to speak to my readers and get feedback.  I really want to know have you ever experienced peers or strangers reciting song lyrics, thinking it is okay to use the "n" word, just because the artist does?  Do you let your friends who are "others" call you the "n" word or other black people that word in front of you?  Have you ever had to stop a friend, colleague or acquaintance in their tracks because they thought it was permissible to use it in a song or in a joking manner?

I know that black people have a tendency to be identified as "sensitive" when it comes to racial/social issues like these.  A lot of "others" use the fact that black people call each other the word and use it so much that in return, they cannot call others on the carpet for using the word as it would be a double standard.  I myself have limited my use of the word tremendously, and am still working to erase it from my vocabulary for good. 

Am I being too sensitive by saying "others" shouldn't be permitted to use the word whether as a joke, a line in a song, or term of endearment for any race or people?  Do you think these people should be called on the carpet for their use of the word no matter how much black people may still use the word?  Have you ever been in this predicament? How did it make you feel? How did you respond?

I would love your feedback!!!!!

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS!!!!!!!

Video Spotlight - CJ Hilton - So Fresh

I was just recently put on to this R&B newcomer from Baltimore, MD who notes his musical influences as Usher, R. Kelly, Stevie Wonder & Marvin Gaye.  One listen to this song and you will see why.  The song has an upbeat tempo with a nice groove and Hip Hop vibe.  While R&B lovers are curious about the current state of R&B, you have newcomers like CJ Hilton, who is signed to J Records, answering the call.  CJ is 21, but has already worked with the likes of Raphael Saadiq and Marsha Ambrosius and is a talented musician and writer, writing most of his own material.  His voice is unique and I am excited to see/hear more from this cat. 

Check out the video:

For the life of me I cannot place where I have seen the main chick in the video, but I will figure it out sooner or later.  But until then, I want to know...Are you feeling this song?  Can you hear his musical influences in the track?  Do you think he can make a name for himself?  Share your thoughts!

More pics of CJ Hilton so you all can get better acquainted:

His official website: http://www.cjhiltonofficial.com/

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/cjhiltonofficial

Twitter: @iamcjofficial 

Frank Ocean Overload

I recently made a post entitled Who Is Frank Ocean? because I felt that not everyone knew this kid's name and he is definitely an artist that I would like to see get some major shine.  Well, over the weekend, my younger sis exposed me to some more of his work off of his Nostalgia, Ultra mixtape.  The first track I heard was Love Crime and I was immediately transported to a foreign realm with a new sound and style that I had never heard before.  I was drawn in by his melodic rhythms and socio-political subject matter discussing topics pertaining to drug use, love, broken hearts, bereavement, abortion, the institution of marriage in America, and human nature. 

I was amazed at Frank Ocean's maturity in sharing his insights in regards to the topics listed above.  To be so young, he really has a lot of deep thoughts to share.  Not only is the production spot on on this mixtape, but the music has a way of drawing you in and capturing your senses.  Although I cannot pinpoint his specific influences at this time, when I listen to Ocean's music, I hear a multitude of musical influences ranging from Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, all the way to Coldplay and Nirvana.  I could go on and on for days about how much I love Frank Ocean and what a great addition he could make to the music industry right now.  However, I would love for you to hear for yourself and become a fan on your own.

Here are some of my fav pics from the nostalgia, Ultra mixtape:

American Wedding

We All Try

  



Nature Feels



Track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"StreetFighter"	0:22
2.	"Strawberry Swing"	3:55
3.	"Novacane"	5:03
4.	"We All Try"	2:52
5.	"Bitches Talkin' (Metal Gear Solid)"	0:22
6.	"Songs 4 Women"	4:13
7.	"Love Crimes"	4:00
8.	"GoldenEye"	0:18
9.	"There Will Be Tears"	3:15
10.	"Swim Good"	4:17
11.	"Dust"	2:31
12.	"American Wedding"	7:01
13.	"Soul Calibur"	0:18
14.	"Nature Feels"	3:14

I'm really looking forward to hearing new music from this cat.  Def Jam plans to re-release some of the tracks from Nostalgia, Ultra that will be called Nostalgia, Lite.  Please keep an eye out for Mr. Ocean because I'm predicting he's one of the NEXT TO BLOW!!!

More pics to get you better acquainted with this musical visionary:

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What do you think of the tracks from Nostalgia, Ultra?
Are you surprised by the subject matter?
Who do you think are his musical influences?
Are you looking forward to hearing more material from Frank Ocean?

Throwback Video - Happy Hump Day - Bobby Brown - Humpin' Around

Sometimes we need that extra push to get over the HUMP.  Here is a throwback video from Bobby Brown, the Original King of Hip Hop and R&B! Nuff respect! LOL

HUMPIN' AROUND

When I look at old Bobby Brown videos or hear his songs on the radio, I see/hear his influences on Usher, Chris Brown, and other R&B groups, etc.  Can you see the inspiration?  What is your favorite Bobby Brown video?