I know I'm a little on the late freight with featuring this R&B newcomer, but I'm pretty sure many of you have not heard of him or maybe, you heard his music and didn't know his name, nor his face. Well, the wait is over! I was blown away by this guy when he performed on "Verses & Flow," a new show on TVOne that features talented spoken word artists a la Def Poetry Jam. James, originally from New Orleans, tore down the stage with his strong, yet silky smooth vocals and dynamic energy. Little did I know that he was responsible for one of my favorite R&B songs on the radio right now, "I Want You," where he declares his love for his dream girl.
Below is a video of "I Want You":
Here is a video of James' performance on "Verses & Flow":
In "Guilty Pleasure," James sings about a love that is so wrong, yet so right and I love the energy he brought to the stage. Luke James' pre-release album, "#Luke," will be released on Def Jam. Besides his musical dealings, he has been featured as the leading man in several videos, such as, Melanie Fiona's, "4 A.M.," Beyonce's, "Run The World," and has penned songs for the likes of Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, Chris Brown and more. I'm excited to see what this vibrant newcomer will bring to the R&B scene.
My BornTooBlog readers know I've spoken on this occurrence of the confusion between a man wanting a "bad bitch", but also wanting her to possess the qualities of a "good girl". In my previous post, Men Say They Want A Good Woman, But Chase Bad Girls, I explained my confusion with men who think they can have both and laid out some general definitions of what these perceptions really mean. Now lyricist/activist Lupe Fiasco has put it in a song called, "Bitch Bad".
Lupe speaks on this reoccurring contradiction in Hip Hop music as he raps:
Now imagine there's a shawty, maybe five maybe four Ridin' 'round with his mama listening to the radio And a song comes on and not far off from being born Doesn't know the difference between right and wrong Now I ain't trying to make it too complex But let's just say shawty has an undeveloped context About the perception of women these days His mama sings along and this what she says "nigga I'm a bad bitch, and I'm bad bitch Far above average"
First he's relatin' the word "bitch" with his mama, comma And because she's relatin' to herself
his most important source of help
and mental health, he may skew respect for dishonor
Sure enough, in this little world The little boy meets one of those little girls And he thinks she a bad bitch and she thinks she a bad bitch He thinks disrespectfully, she thinks of that sexually She got the wrong idea, he don't wanna fuck her He thinks she's bad at being a bitch like his mother
Just like that, you see the fruit of the confusion He caught in a reality, she caught in an illusion Bad mean good to her, she really nice and smart But bad mean bad to him, bitch don't play your part But bitch still bad to her if you say it the wrong way But she think she a bitch, what a double entendre
Check out the video:
I'm glad Lupe has spoken up on this underlying contradiction that has become so popular in rap music these days. He's received a lot of flack for the song, as well as, his anti-Obama views, but I am still a big fan of this young and talented artist and I'm glad he's sharing his perspective on the subject and various other subjects.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS
What did you think about the video?
Do you agree with what Lupe Fiasco is saying?
Do you feel its a contradiction for a man to want a "bad bitch" but also want a "good woman"?
What are your thoughts on the song and lyrics?
I just saw this video on Centric (BET) over the weekend and was blown away by this newcomer by the name of Daley who has featured Marsha Ambrosius on his song entitled "Alone Together". If this song doesn't evoke any sensuality or sexuality in you with one listen, then, maybe its time to see a sex therapist. LOL
Daley is a British soul singer from Manchester that was signed to Polydor Records. "Alone Together" comes off his Those Who Wait mixtape released in April 2011. This song takes me back to the late 90s/early 2000s neo-soul era. I'm looking forward to seeing more from this cat.
All of my avid BornTooBlog readers know that I am totally a J. Cole fan. I've done a few features on him in the past and now I am back with the video for his 4th single off his debut album "Sideline Story". J. Cole's song "Nobody's Perfect" featuring Missy Elliot takes me back to the days when Missy was doing her thing almost about a decade ago. Elliot has for the most part remained behind the scenes working on various projects, until now, with her new feature on J. Cole's debut album. Its classic Missy and Cole truly compliments her on this track. The video is artistic and definitely not your cookie-cutter representation of popular music today.
Check out the video below:
Here are a few cool lyrics from the song:
Smokin' weed on the beach as my mind workin' like Plato
Analyzin' the world, fantasizin' bout girls
I'm handin' diamonds and pearls and vandalizin' her curls
Sweating her weave out, moans as she breathes out
Fuck I'm doin' in parties with Hov and Steve Stoute
I step over piranha, death over dishonor
They killin niggas for J's, that's death over designer
Hey Cole heatin' up like that left-over lasagna
Remember when I used to be stressed over Dawana
Now a nigga only text and get stressed over Rihannas
I'm talkin' tens and better, hood bitches in Timbs and sweaters
And we always argue about the same thing
Tell me why we gotta argue about the same thing
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?
I believe it is so important to stay up on what's new and what's hot, but also making sure to honor your roots and the history of the past. Growing up in the 80s, New Edition was everything!!!! They were B2K, Jodeci and Mindless Behavior all in one. They were quintessential performers, combining new dance moves with the tailored group style dance of the 60s and 70s (think The Five Heartbeats or The Temptations) and were definitely the biggest R&B group at the time. To say 80s babies grew up on the sounds/energy/fashion of New Edition would be an understatement.
Well, here we are in 2012 and New Edition still has so much relevance in this age of music and performances. For instance, Beyoncé's "Love on Top" single off her studio album "4", incorporates audio and dance elements from New Edition's "If It Isn't Love" off their N.E. Heartbreak album released in 1988. Not only did Beyoncé sample the music, but the video and the dance moves as well.
Another new artist that is taking cues from New Edition is popular Rap artist Big Sean of Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music label. His debut single "My Last" sampled New Edition's "Can You Stand The Rain", also from N.E. Heartbreak. I sincerely hope our youngstas learn to value the present and the past, as they journey into the future of music, artistry and entertainment. Knowing the history of music and art is so rewarding and it gives an added value to our lives, as well as, a different perspective on trends, new and old.
Check out New Edition's "You're Not My Kind Of Girl" video for this installment of Throwback Thursday:
I recently heard this song on the radio and was taken aback by the honesty and realness of the lyrics. This song is my first introduction to Don Trip, a street poet from Memphis, Tennessee, who's mission is to be the voice of the people in these difficult social and economic times. Don Trip enlisted the voice of one of my favs, soulful Cee-Lo Green. Cee-Lo is known for bringing deep emotions out of songs and elevating them to a platform that speaks of the struggle in a way that is not only socially conscious, but also pleasing to one's ears.
The song entitled A Letter To My Son displays a father speaking to his only son, expressing the difficulties of raising the son, when all his mother wants to do is use him as a bargaining tool due to their failed relationship. I spoke about this occurrence when I initially started my blog in the post Where's Daddy? Too often, young fathers find themselves struggling to build relationships with their children due to the mother being difficult, caddy, messy and down right selfish. I never understood why a mother would want to keep her children from their father. Most children in urban neighborhoods barely get a chance to see their fathers, let alone see them at all. Naturally, when I see mothers keeping their children away from their fathers who want to be in their lives, it makes me angry and confused.
There are so many fathers out there that are going through this, which is why I wanted to highlight this song to give a voice to the proud fathers who will have to wait until their children get older in to explain their misunderstood absence. Mothers might think they have all the power, but ultimately, once the children realize what's going on, they will now be subject to the inquiries and judgement of their children. Who really is winning in this situation anyway?
I appreciate Don Trip for bringing this occurrence to the forefront, in the hopes that some mothers will recognize the error in their ways and finally put the child first. As I said in my previous post on this subject, if the father is violent or a detriment to the child, by all means, restrict his access to his children. However, I will never justify keeping a man from his children due to their lack of funds or even further, a failed relationship between the child's parents. It is no excuse and these women need to stop it immediately before they ruin their relationship with their children altogether.
Take a listen to the song and check out the video:
WEIGH IN
What do you think about the song and video?
Did Cee-Lo make a nice addition to the song?
Do you relate to the issue Don Trip is addressing in this video?
Have you experienced a jealous/hurtful/selfish baby mother who won't let you see your children?
How does this song make you feel as a father in this situation?
You all know I L-O-V-E J. Cole and his new album Cole World: The Sideline Story which debuted at #1 in its first week of release selling 217,000 copies. Not bad for the North Carolina native who started this all off with a "dollar and a dream". I'm very impressed by the subject matter, metaphors and lyrical content on the new album, especially on songs like Lights Please where he discusses a women's preoccupation with sex while he is only trying to get to know her, Breakdown where he talks about the pain of not having his father in his life, and Dollar And A Dream when he speaks of the hard times he experienced in his life.
He keeps the balance with dance/club tracks like Can't Get Enough and Workout, but Lost Ones speaks to the experience that both a young man and women who are in love undergo once the girl finds out she is pregnant. Cole personifies the thoughts and fears of a young man encountering this situation, as well as the abandonment a women feels when left to make the decision whether to keep their baby.
I've been pumping J. Cole for awhile so I'm happy to see the success that he is receiving after his debut release. If you haven't heard the whole album yet I highly urge that you go out and get it and see what all the hype is about. People are always saying that Hip Hop needs more diversity and intelligent topics, well here you go Hip Hip critics! Hopefully, this talented lyricist is here to stay.
Check out the emotional and profound Video Spotlight for Lost Ones:
WEIGH IN
Did you enjoy watching the video?
Was the subject matter on point and current with today's times?
Would you like to hear more music like this?
What are your thoughts on J. Cole as an artist?
Have you listened to the album, and if so, what are your thoughts?
What are your thoughts on abortion?
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:
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?
Some of you may have heard of him. Some may be reading his name for the first time, but very shortly, I'm predicting he will be a household name. Frank Ocean is originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, but later moved to LA once Katrina hit in 2005. While in LA, Frank pursued music and joined the Los Angeles based hip hop collective OFWGKTA. He is a writer and R&B artist that has worked with big names like Pharrell, Jay-Z, Kanye and Beyoncé, just to name a few and is also signed to Def Jam. He has collaborated with Odd Future's Tyler the Creator, who recently won the 2011 MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist and is also a member of OFWGKTA.
You might have also heard of the drama that ensued when Chris Brown mentioned Ocean on Twitter saying "I fucks with @Frank_Ocean. He reminds me of a young James Fauntleroy." While I'm not really sure if Breezy meant it as a diss, Ocean replied by saying "I fucks with @chrisbrown. He reminds me of a young Ike Turner. *side eye* I watched online as the drama ensued, and even spilled into the real world as both artists' camps began to engage in street beef. All has since calmed down and both men met and agreed to squash it, but I'm sure it helped Ocean's twitter following *wink*
Beef aside, Frank Ocean dropped his first single on iTunes, Novacane, on Def Jam Records on May 31, 2011, which was greeted with critical acclaim. On the surface, the song chronicles his journey after meeting a smart chick at Coachella, who is starring in porn movies to pay for school and has also turned him onto a new drug. Once the drug is in his system, his face becomes numb and he likes the feeling it gives him. I would venture to say that on the flip side, Ocean is speaking of the affects of drugs on music, entertainment and relationships. The facade of Hollywood and the inability to make real connections due to drugs, partying and bullshit. But don't take my word for it, check the lyrics yourself and watch the video below:
I think I started something
I got what I wanted
Did-didn't I
Can't feel nothing
Superhuman
Even when I'm fucking
Viagra popping
Every single record
Auto tuning
Zero emotion
Muted emotion
Pitch corrected
Computed emotion
I blame it on the
Model broad with the Hollywood smile
Stripper booty and a rack like wow
Brain like Berkeley
Met her at Coachella
I went to see Jigga
She went to see Z-trip
Perfect
I took a seat on the ice cold lawn
She handed me a ice blue bong
Whatever
She said she wanna be a dentist really badly
She's in school paying
For tuition doing porn in the valley
At least you working
But girl I can't feel my face
What are we smoking anyway
She said don't let the high go to waste
But can you taste a little taste of
Novacane
Baby baby
Novacane baby I want you
Fuck me good
Fuck me long
Fuck me numb
Love me now when I'm gone love me none
Love me none love me none
Numb numb numb numb
Sink full of dishes
Pacing in the kitchen
Cocaine for breakfast
Yikes
Bed full of women
Flip on a tripod
Little red light on shooting
I'm feeling like
Stanley kubrick
This is some visionary shit
Been tryna film pleasure with my eyes wide shut
But it keeps on moving
I blame it on the
Model broad with the Hollywood smile
Stripper booty with the rack like wow
I'll never forget ya
You put me on a feeling I never had
Never had never had
And ever since
I've been tryna get it back and pick it up and put it back
Now I'm something like the chemist on campus
But there's no drug around
I like what I found in you
I still can't feel my face
What am I smoking anyway
She said don't let the high go to waste
But can you taste a little taste of
Novacane
Baby baby
Novacane baby I want you
Fuck me good
Fuck me long
Fuck me numb
Love me now when I'm gone love me none
Love me none love me none
Numb numb numb numb
Novacane novacane novacane novacane novacane
For the pain for the pain for the pain for the pain for the pain
Novacane novacane novacane novacane novacane
For the pain for the pain
Novacane novacane
Pretty girls involved with me
Making pretty love to me pretty
Pity pity
All the pretty girls involved with me
Making pretty love to me pretty
Pity pity
I can't feel a thing
I can't feel
Can't feel a thing
I can't feel a thing
Can't feel feel feel feel her
I can't feel feel her
Novacane novacane novacane
I can't feel feel her
For the pain
For the pain
For the pain
I can't feel feel her
Feel her feel her oh
Novacane novacane-cane
Now, on to the new single entitled Swim Good. My sister put me on to this song and like Novacane, I fell in love instantly with the lyrics and the sound, which is different from anything I've ever heard. I appreciate Ocean's unique style and his ability to mash up genres and influences to make a sound all his own. Swim Good is another deep, multi-dimensional song that will probably elicit many interpretations from the listener. What I think all can agree on is the song is fresh and new and DOPE!
Here are some of my favorite lyrics from the song:
That's a pretty big trunk on my Lincoln Town Car Aint It?
Big enough to take these broken hearts and put 'em in it
Now I'm driving round on the boulevard trunk bleeding
And every time the cops pull me over
The don't ever see them
They never see them
I'm about to drive in the ocean
Imma try to swim from something bigger than me
Kick off my shoes
And swim good
And swim good
Take off this suit
And swim good
And swim good
Got some pretty good beats on this 808CC beatin'
Memory seats I'm sitting on stay heated
I would've put tints on my windows
But what's the difference
When I feel like a ghost, no Swayze
Ever since I lost my baby
Frank Ocean is speaking of broken hearts and swimming away from something bigger than he. Again, MY interpretation of the lyrics is he is speaking of swimming away from a broken heart and a love lost. He is wearing all black like he's going to a funeral because he is depressed, or the love is dead. Needless to say, you might want to think critically when trying to figure out what he is speaking of exactly, but that's the fun part, right? HipHopDX just posted the video to their site and I would love for you all to watch it and let me know what you think. Both of his videos are very artistic and leave much to the imagination, so take a look with your critical/artistic eye and enjoy!
I am excited to see what his new project will bring and how it will change the face of Hip Hop. His contribution to Jay-Z and Kanye's Watch The Throne album is ever present on Made In America and No Church In The Wild (I love both), as well as Beyoncé's track on 4 called I Miss You.
My twin sister exposed me to this guy and she was initially drawn in by his British accent and high-level energy on the track with newcomer Wiz Khalifa. Tinie Tempah is from the UK and has been making music overseas since 2007. He's clearly an international cat, as you can see from the various skylines shot in the video (NY, LA, Japan, etc.)
The song is about a guy who loves to travel, party, have fun and isn't ready to settle down. So he tells his girl not to cry and that he'll be back....one day.
What I really love about the song is his flow, originality, and Wiz was the perfect addition for the sing-songy hook.
CHECK IT OUT:
WEIGH IN
Have you ever heard of Tinie Tempah?
Do you like this song?
Ever since I first heard this guy I was in love with his voice, style, delivery and mature subject matter. I later discovered he was signed to Roc Nation, by head honcho Jay-Z, and this kid was the next to blow. After hearing several mixtapes like The Warm Up and Friday Night Lights, as well as, tracks with featured artists like Drake and Big Sean, I knew it was only a matter of time before everyone knew his name.
The North Carolina native's first track released off his upcoming debut LP Cole World: The Sideline Story was Who Dat, which featured a school band drum line beat equipped with horns to create a new sound that I had never heard before. J. Cole is known for ghost writing Diddy's Coming Home track off the Last Train To Paris and is also known for his appearance on Jay-Z's A Star Is Born from TheBlueprint 3.
Cole has a degree from St. John's University, which he attended on an academic scholarship studying communication and minoring in business, graduating magna cum laude. Cole explains that he only sought highter education as a path to get a record deal. However, after years of no record deal, he obtained his degree and continued to pursue his dream to be a rap superstar. After sitting outside of Jay-Z's offices for hours in an attempt to have him listen to his beat, he was ignored, but later called by an associate explaining Jay wanted to meet him after hearing his track Lights Please, from one of his mixtapes. Lights Please is a cool and mellow track where Cole is speaking to a young lady whom he is fond of, but is perplexed by her preoccupation with sex, instead of getting to know him better or talking about things with more substance. Check some of the lyrics:
So I tried to show her
About the world and about just who we really are
And where we've come and how we still have to go really far
Like baby look at how we live broke on the boulevard
But all she ever want me to do is unhook her bra
Then all I really want is for her to go down low
Before you know it she wet enough to get drowned slow
And all that deep shit I was previously down for
Replaced by freak shit I am currently down for
...
So now we in the hotel
Mirrors on the ceilin'
She say she wanna blow L's
I hear her and I'm willin'
But everytime I smoke well a nigga mind gone
So that every word I spoke well I'm tryin' to put her on
But she couldn't hear me
I told her all about how we been livin' a lie
And that they'd love to see us all go to prison or die
Like baby look at how they show us on the TV screen
But all she ever want me to do is unzip her jeans
Then all I really want is for her to get on top
Before you know it she workin' jerkin' it non stop
And all that next shit I was previously talkin'
Is now that wet shit that I'm currently lost in
...
I'm findin' the more I grow the more y'all stay the same
Don't even know the rules but yet y'all tryin' to play the game
And ain't it shameful how niggas blame hoes for givin' birth
To a baby that took two to make
Coward nigga you a fake
How gon' look in your sons face and turn your back
Then go start another family dog what type of shit is that?
She said it's okay
Rubbed my head and told me to relax
Laid a nigga down proper like she was recordin' tracks
Said I know you wanna change the world
But for the night please
Just reach over and hit the lights please
DEEP RIGHT?
J. Cole has been patiently waiting for his time to blow; Watching peers like Drake and Big Sean hit pay dirt with their debut albums. I've been waiting on him to drop a track that would capture the ears of the diverse Hip Hop community and would showcase his talent and staying power. I think he's finally done it with his new single and video Work Out. But don't take my word for it, see for yourself.
Here is my fav! His video for Who Dat:
Here is his video for the song he did with Drake, In The Morning:
The debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story hits stores September 27th. Cole has been on tour all summer with Rihanna and Cee-Lo Green for the Loud Tour and just released the dates for his world tour Cole World and will be performing with Tini Tempah in the UK:
COLE WORLD…WORLD TOUR
August 23rd Vancouver, BC (Vogue)
August 25th Edmonton, AB (Edmonton Events Centre)
August 27th Calgary, AB (Flames Central)
August 30th Saskatoon, SK (Odeon Theatre)
August 31st Winnipeg, MB (Garrick Center)
September 3rd Toronto, ON (Sound Academy)
September 6th London, ON (Music Hall London)
September 7th Montreal, QC (Club Soda)
September 10th Orlando, FL (The Beacham Theatre)
September 11th Miami, FL (Revolutions)
September 14th Houston, TX (Warehouse Live)
September 15th New Orleans, LA (House of Blues)
September 16th Dallas, TX (Southside Music Hall)
September 17th Austin, TX (Emos)
September 19th Denver, CO (The Ogden)
September 20th Albuquerque, NM (Sunshine Theater)
September 21st Phoenix, AZ (The Venue)
September 22nd Los Angeles, CA (Club Nokia)
September 23rd San Francisco, CA (Regency)
September 29th Winston Salem, NC (Winston Salem State University)
October 2nd Atlanta, GA (Tabernacle)
October 4th Cleveland, OH (House of Blues)
October 6th Kalamazoo, MI (Kalamazoo State Theatre)
October 7th Detroit, MI (Royal Oak)
October 8th Milwaukee, WI (The Rave)
October 9th Chicago, IL (House of Blues)
October 12th Philadelphia, PA (Electric Factory)
October 13th Charlotte, NC (Fillmore)
October 14th Norfolk, VA (Old Dominion University)
October 15th Elizabeth City, NC (Elizabeth City State University)
October 16th Myrtle Beach, SC (House of Blues)
October 19th Washington, DC (Fillmore)
October 20th Baltimore, MD (Sound Stage)
October 21st Albany, NY (Armory)
October 22nd Worcester, MA (Palladium)
October 23rd Providence, RI (Lupo’s)
October 25th New York, NY (Best Buy Theatre)
October 31st Liverpool, UK (Echo Arena/TinieTempah UK Arena Tour)
November 1st New Castle, UK (Metro Radio Arena/TinieTempah UK Arena Tour)
November 2nd Glasgow, UK (SECC/TinieTempah UK Arena Tour)
November 4th London, UK (O2 Arena/TinieTempah UK Arena Tour)
November 5th Bournemouth, UK (BIC/TinieTempah UK Arena Tour)
November 6th Birmingham, UK (LG Arena/TinieTempah UK Arena Tour)
November 7th Manchester, UK (MEN Arena/Tinie Tempah UK Arena Tour)
November 8th Cardiff, UK (Motorpoint Arena/ Tinie Tempah UK Arena Tour)
November 11th London, UK (Electric Ballroom)
November 12th Birmingham, UK (Institute)
November 13th Cardiff, UK (Solus)
November 14th South Hampton, UK (University)
November 17th Glasgow, UK (ABC)
November 18th Liverpool, UK (Academy)
November 19th Sheffield, UK (Academy)
November 20th Manchester, UK (Academy 2)
November 22nd Cambridge, UK (Junction)
November 24th Bristol, UK (Academy)
November 26th Norway (Waterfront / UEA)
November 30th Brussels, Belgium (VK*)
December 1st Amsterdam, Holland (Melkweg)
December 2nd Germany (TBD)
December 3rd Copenhagen, Denmark (VEGA)
December 4th Malmo, Sweden (Babel)
December 6th Gothenburg, Sweden (Parken)
December 7th Stockholm, Sweden (Nalen)
December 8th Oslo, Norway (Rockefeller)
December 10th Berlin, Germany (TBD)
December 12th Paris, France (La Cigale)
MORE PICS!
I'm excited to see what this newcomer has to bring to the Hip Hop table and hopes he can continue keeping things fresh and new as he has for the past 3+ years. You all should definitely keep your eye on this guy. I'm sure the album will be worth the wait.
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?
I recently caught "Year of 4", a documentary on MTV chronicling Beyoncé's road to the release of her 4th solo album entitled "4". The beginning of the documentary showed Beyoncé at the beach explaining how much she loves the water and how the ocean humbles her and keeps her at peace. Unlike other documentaries Beyoncé has released, this one seemed more close to home and more REAL. She seems to really have come into her own and no longer resembles that insecure young lady that was afraid to mess up or make mistakes. She also talks about how her mother pretty much had to force her to take a year off as she explained that she did not want Beyoncéto live with the regret of not living her life while following her dream. A tougher, more confident and secure Beyoncé (not her alter ego Sasha Fierce) was seen learning dance moves, calling the shots, and rallying her troops in preparation for the release of her 4th solo album.
What also really stood out to me in this documentary was how she explained the inspiration for the 1st dance scene in the video where she is in the sand, accompanied by two African dancers as they do some major footwork alongside her. The dancing is impressive to say the least. She then went on to explain that she saw the dance group on Youtube and made a mental note that she would use their talents in the future. Fast forward to the making of her video for Run The World (Girls) as the camera shows 3 eager dancers from Mozambique on a plane set to arrive in the United States to school Beyoncé and her dancing crew.
The young men are energetic and enthusiastic as they experience the U.S. for the first time in their lives. I really love that Beyoncé didn't just steal the moves that the men featured on Youtube, but actually gave them a chance to be involved and get some international pop star shine. Besides, no one else could seem to do it to her liking, but these guys. After their scene is done and the three dancers are free to leave the set, Beyoncé is shown with tears falling from her eyes. She explained that she understood how they probably felt leaving their first video shoot, not knowing when they would ever be on another set again, doing what they love. She explained that this is how she felt leaving her first video shoot as she recalls she didn't want to leave. Seeing this strong, yet vulnerable side to Beyoncé was really an eye opener and made me love her that much more.
Music and dance originate in Africa. The same booty shaking and gyrating that we see on videos today derive from countries in Africa that were inspired by the drum. This may not be commonly known, but it is fact. To see these brothers get their shine is empowering because I am very big on influence and appreciation of history and heritage. All in all, the documentary was very entertaining and you definitely get to see another side of Beyoncé.
Check out a video of the dance group called Tofo Tofo from Mozambique. This video inspired Beyoncé to search for these dancers for four months leading up to the video shoot:
Now here is Beyoncé's Run The World (Girls) video, which I am sure you all have seen. Notice any similarities?
You can also check out the entire episode here on MTV:
I've always been a big fan of The Clipse and now that Pusha T is working on a solo effort with Kanye's G.O.O.D. Music imprint, I'm excited to see what he's going to produce. My favorite track off the Fear of God mixtape is Alone In Vegas. My fav line goes like this:
"Feels like I'm doomed to dealing with women who
relationships with their fathers won't allow us to bloom
and blossom, I swear them Vegas nights was fucking awesome"
Pusha's wordplay has always been fresh, new and exciting. From his drug dealing exploits to the clever way he explains his fascination with money, cars and clothes. Although that may seem quite shallow to most, I have a feeling that he will dig a bit deeper this time with the help of Kanye.
The video was produced by Orson Whales, which displays Pusha in the Mojave Desert with a hooded character that has his hands tied and is waiting for his fate, execution style, as well as, dynamic shots of the Las Vegas Blvd. Strip from his hotel suite all the way down to the street level action. Let me know what you all think of the video and the song:
Tupac Amaru Shakur, born Lesane Parish Crooks, lived an eventful life during his short 25 years on this earth. His talent reached far and wide in the realm of acting, poetry, music, modeling, political advocacy and nationalism. When trying to think of what to actually write about him to do his legacy justice, my mind suddenly comes to a blank. How can I sum up everything he was and is to this very day? How do I put into words the impact he had on the lives that he touched and affected through his music and advocacy? What does come to mind is the recent memory of my younger sister, at the ripe age of 22, sitting in my living room and proclaiming that Tupac was not as influential in her life, musically, because he was stagnant character. She explained to me that Tupac was too ghetto and had too much of a negative mentality to really do any good in the community. I'm paraphrasing, but she basically did not understand why people are so hung up on Tupac and does not agree with those who see him as a freedom fighter, political advocate and activist, a poet, leader, and phenomenal artist. To her, Tupac was a common ghetto thug.
Upon hearing this, my first reaction was to take her to the kitchen and wash her mouth out with soap for using such foul language about one of my heroes. How could she say such things about Tupac? Does she really know his legacy and what he went through and what he did, which ultimately contributed to his untimely demise? Does she know the lyrics to Brenda's Got A Baby and Keep Ya Head Up? She couldn't possibly think these things after hearing songs like Dear Mama and So Many Tears. Or perhaps she wasn't old enough to see him battle C. Delores Tucker for the right to exercise his freedom of speech. Maybe she didn't hear his first posthumous album that so valiantly boasted powerful and meaningful tracks like Against All Odds, Hold Ya Head, Krazy and White Man'z World where Tupac proclaimed "this is the realest shit I ever wrote".
How could she know that Tupac was actually a poet who wrote about topics concerning love, civil rights, the current political climate, sex, passion, and the fight for what's right? Was she aware that he was raised by militant political activists known as the Black Panther Party and civil rights heroes like Mutulu Shakur, Geronimo Pratt, Mumia Abu Jamal and Assata Shakur, the same exhiled woman rapper Common was criticized for visiting in Cuba as they all were public enemies due to their political fight and activism? Maybe she missed the bit of information that Shakur's hit song Dear Mama is one of 25 songs that was added to the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry in 2010 or that as of 2004, he was the highest selling rap/hip-hop artist selling over 67 million copies worldwide.
On the other hand, I'm sure she is aware of his multiple arrests, court cases, rape conviction, shooting incidents, misogynistic lyrics and other violent behavior he also displayed and endured. And I'm also pretty sure she is aware of the "Thug Life" movement that he founded and represented on his body in the form of a tattoo, and in his music and interviews. To know Tupac was to love him. But to know him, you would have to know that he was a Gemini, with twin souls. One soul represented the enormously talented, intelligent, eloquent, inspirational and motivational Tupac. The other soul represented the angry, violent, unapologetic, immature and insecure Tupac. When following his interviews and public persona, you never really knew which Tupac you were going to get, but the reality was that you loved them both and knew without one, you couldn't have the other. This dichotomy that I speak of was ever present in the history of his music and personal life as it played out in the local and international media before my very own eyes.
Tupac had the work ethic of a James Brown mixed with a modern day Lil' Wayne. In fact, Lil' Wayne can attribute his work ethic and multitude of recordings to Tupac's influence because as we all know, Tupac released 9 posthumous albums and still has material to spare. I often wonder if my generation is doing its job in inspiring the new generation and educating them on the history of music like our parents did. Our parents taught us about the oldies and introduced us to Rock, Blues, Soul, R&B and Jazz. However, when it comes to the new generation, they seem to have a lack of information, exposure and inspiration when it comes to those who came before them and paved the way for their favorite artists to thrive today. This is where my heart becomes heavy. How could a young adult like my sister not understand the intricacy of his life? How could she say he was too ghetto-minded and stagnant and not realize that his actual influence is too massive to even quantify?
Perhaps these words will educate and inspire the new generation. To know, understand and love what Tupac stood for because he is a product of the same environment in which they now live. To know that he fought for their freedom to rap and write about whatever they wanted. That he fought for the institutionalized, marginalized and disenfranchised. To know that he fought against adversity, poverty, ignorance and his own physical demise and used his music as a political and creative springboard to help the greater good. To know that he loved his people and encouraged the baby mamas of the world to keep their heads up and the misguided young men in prison to hold their heads high. To know that he is their favorite rapper's favorite rapper and that he has inspired this generation's artistry and creativity like no other rapper. As I said earlier, to know him was to love him so I urge all those who shun Tupac or don't understand his relevance in the climate of hip hop today, to get to know him a little bit more before they judge, because Tupac made it very clear that ONLY GOD COULD JUDGE HIM!
RIP Soldier!
Since I am a lover of all things Tupac, I wanted to show a visual portrayal of his life and legacy...enjoy!
Some of my favorite and most profound Tupac Hip Hop Quoteables and quotes from various interviews:
“I'd rather die like a man, than live like a coward. There's a ghetto up in heaven and its ours. Black Power!"
"I wonder why we take from our women, why we rape our women, do we hate our women? I think its time to kill for our women, time to to heal our women, be real to our women."
“Recollect your thoughts don't get caught up in the mix, cause the media is full of dirty tricks.”
“Of course I'm going to say "I'm a thug" that's because I came from the GUTTER and I'm still HERE!”
“Somebody help me, tell me where to go from here cause even Thugs cry, but do the Lord care?”
“To all the seeds that follow me protect your essence. Born with less, but you still precious.”
“I am society’s child. This is how they made me and now I’m sayin’ what’s on my mind and they don’t want that. This is what you made me, America.”
“I feel like role models today are not meant to be put on a pedestal. But more like angels with broken wings.”
“If you walked by a street and you saw a rose growing from concrete, even if it had messed up petals and it was a little to the side you would marvel at just seeing a rose grow through concrete. So why is it that when you see some ghetto kid grow out of the dirtiest circumstance and he can talk and he can sit across the room and make you cry, make you laugh, all you can talk about is my dirty rose, my dirty stems and how I'm leaning crooked to the side, u can’t even see that I’ve come up from out of that.”
“Forgive but don’t forget, girl keep your head up. And when he tells you you ain’t nothing, don’t believe him. And if he can’t learn to love you, you should leave him.”
“Fear is stronger than love, remember that. Fear is stronger than love. All that love I gave didn’t mean nothing when it came to fear.”
“They got money for the war but can’t feed the poor.”
“I’m not sayin’ I’m gonna rule the world, or that I’m gonna change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world.”
“I set goals, take control, drink out my own bottle. I make mistakes but learn from every one and when it’s said and done, I bet this brother be a better one. If I upset you, don’t stress. Never forget, that God isn’t finished with me yet.
