I’ve never missed having a “father” in my life being that I had so many strong male influences growing up but listening to the late, great James Brown’s “Papa Don’t Take No Mess” I actually wish I had a cool ass daddy like he did. The song has very few lines but each one of them you can tell was heartfelt, impactful and coming from a place of deep love for his father. Check it out if you don’t know it (Video following the article). Lessons from Papa… “Papa digs the chick If she look real slick, Papa rap is very quick He definitely ain’t no trick.” What I get from this is that Papa spits his game directly and to the point; being that he is a man of confidence and stature, the chick either gets on board or keeps it moving. I love the hell out of this, Papa “definitely ain’t no trick”… [Read more]

Editor’s Note: This is the first article in an ongoing series I will be doing called – Music and Life (M&L) which is based on lyrics in songs that have influenced my thinking or reinforce a philosophy that I live by. Many of us live our lives through song without realizing it and I hope to enlighten you on some of the best lyrics from various genres that have helped me in one way or another. It’s philosophy but it’s fun philosophy that sounds oh so good. This was my redemption song, it was a song that made me go “you know X is right, if you’re holding me back for too long I have every right to lash out and do something about it”. Granted the lyrics in their literal sense is about robbing to eat (slang for make money). “Y’all been eating long enough now stop being greedy! Just keep it real partner,… [Read more]

Have you ever met a woman that you know gets around and figure that it would be a breath of fresh air to avoid the games and get in her goodness around the 3rd date or so? Then she flips the game on you because you’re a nice guy and decides that she wants you to earn the booty unlike the other 100 fellas before you? COUGH! Stacey Dash! Cough! Well the boys and girls over at Turquoise Jeep feel yours and my pain and their latest smanger is hotter than anything I’m hearing on the radio right now. Check out “WHY I GOTTA WAIT??” by Flint Flossy and Young Humma over a Tummy Scratch Beat.

As you all know I am a huge fan of Janelle Monae’s music and performances, so when I got the chance to see her live in Miami I jumped at the chance and planned for it. The performance I expected was a small set with a CD backing her tracks and her rendition of the newer jams accompanied by her high energy dancing. Little did I know I was in for so much more, Janelle (who wasn’t the main act) brought along a mini orchestra, props, costume changes, paint and a large screen to show videos as she performed. It was simply amazing, with lots of energy and not unlike one of her videos. The backup singers were on point, the music echoed the album and tiny Janelle had the lungs of a giant showing her vocal range in making sure that the entire auditorium heard her song. “Jane went the extra mile and stage… [Read more]

Nobody likes to hear about their favorite artists dying but it worsens when that artist is young and full of potential. Amy Winehouse was a songstress who transcended many of her peers by channeling the greats with her powerful voice. She was in tuned with hip hop, not an elitist who shunned it – one of her songs “fuckery” was even dedicated to Nas, that’s how down she was and she did a collaberation remix of “I’m no Good” with Hall favorite Ghostface Killah. I say all that to show how much she embodied my two favorite musical genres of rap and jazz, she was my soundtrack and I was one of her fans who was hoping she could kick her demons and deliver a 3rd album. Today’s loss is another reminder to all of you out there who think that you are smarter and stronger than the vices you abuse. It is a reminder… [Read more]

Why am I having to write this? Well I am hoping that anyone who passes these Halls, sees this on Google or through your magnificent tweets, likes and re-posts will realize that they are being played by my man 50 Cent. Look, I can identify with Curtis because he has the same sick sense of humor that I do… we say stuff for reaction, we look from an outside realm into the world and toy with people when we feel bored enough. If you are the type to laugh at yourself you will completely get it, but if you are part of the other 80% who takes things at face value you will be mad at us. I get it, and I want you to get it too. Over the last year or so the mega-successful, rich, 50 Cent has toyed with the public on many occasions (I can see him rolling around in his… [Read more]

Remember NWA, Dr. Dre’s Chronic and Naughty by Nature’s O.P.P.? Salt-n-Pepa wanted you to Push It real good in their body suits that left nothing to the imagination. How about Madonna and the videos she would make that screamed “daddy issues”, she was a naughty “material girl” wasn’t she? Twisted Sister, Motley Crue, Van Halen… need I continue? Have I jogged your memory enough to dispel the innocent Billy Joel dreams that go through your head when you reminisce on the 80′s era of music or the Kid n’ Play happy rap that you assumed was all Hip Hop was back in the day? Am I incorrect in saying that vulgar lyrics are as part of musical expression as is lamenting the days of love lost and want for forbidden love? 96 Tears, The Big Bopper telling Chantilly Lace “ooooh baby you knowwwww WHAT I LIKE!?” giving the mental image of a big pervert nodding… [Read more]

Cee Lo Green is on another plain of existence with his voice, space-age suave and well THIS VIDEO. Not a few nights ago we saw the man dressed like some sort of War Cockatoo alongside the lovely Gwyneth Paltrow but now a new video and single has sprung up for our enjoyment of his new song “Bodies” directed by Mikael Colombu. “They say that chivalry is dead, then why is her body in my bed?” The video was shot completely with a Nikon Camera, has some cameos of Hall favorites: Janelle Monae, Raphael Saadiq and even Common… there is a bit of James Bond in there, some TRON and Cee Lo Green in a purple tint, collecting bodies in his bed. Watch for yourself and enjoy: