Just My Thoughts People

Fabolous Just Wants to Be Loved

Reading my favorite magazine the other night (XXL), I came across an article on F-A-B-O.  The young'n who gave us "You Can't Deny It" and "I'm So Into You" and who had us spelling his name for years sort of opens up and explains why he hasn't been much of a hit with the public lately - "I don't make personal music. I just try to make entertaining music...My personal story isn't mundane, but it's not spectacular.  Everybody don't want to hear your personal story."  So basically the reason why he's not catching on to the masses is because his name isn't in the newspaper or the gossip sites on a regular basis and he's not really seen as a bad boy.  Is this the case, or is it his rhyming skills??  Let's look deeper.  Let's say we're all on the same page and we think that the top rappers are T.I., Jay-Z, Jeezy and Lil Wayne.  We know about TIP's rap sheet through a few news reports and by listening to all his cd's and we even know a little too much about his love life.  It's no doubt that he's got the skills and the charisma, but did we love him even before we recognized his image?  His first single dropped in 2001 (I'm Serious) but didn't really gain nationwide noteriety until his hit "Rubberband Man" in 2003.  Within those two years all we really knew about him was the short time he spent in an Atlanta jail for probation violation in 2004.  In this case, his skillset definitly outweighs the badboy image.  Let's take the G.O.A.T., Jay - everything we've ever known about him is through the words he so graciously presents us with on his cd's and mixtapes.  We bonded with him because we felt his hustle and struggle and we saw him rise to the top from the bottom of the barrel.  Let's not even get started on his way with words.  No debate there, but in this case I think what we did know about him made us like him even more.  He's the guy we felt we were like when he was in his 20's and he's the guy you wanna be when you hit your 30's.  Mr. Snowman is a hit because he's the prototype of a hustler.  He does what he does and he has no shame in telling you about it.  Lyrically, he's not like Talib Kweli but we feel him almost in the way we see Jay.  Let's not even mention his affiliation with that wellknown family that we will not speak about. SSHHHHH  And lastly, Lil Wayne was a slow come-up in the hip-hop community.  If you're not from the south, you probably don't remember bumpin to "We on Fire" (Hot Boys) or "The Block is Hot."  Back in those days, we most certainly didn't know anything about him or his crew.  We just vibed with them because they were gutter and ghetto just like most of us.  The only difference is that they were making hit records. Today, all we know is that he had a short relationship with Trina and that he likes to kiss his Daddy.  So this brings us back to FAB.  I personally have always liked him.  Dude has a way with words that most of today's hitmakers don't.  I've always thought he was underrated.  And when "Breathe" came out, it should have been his time to shine but it didn't happen.  I don't even remember a second single.  Between then and the fiasco titled "Diamonds,"  all we know is about the scuffle that may or may not have involved him with Sebastian Telfair.  And we still don't even know the full story about that.  I think his main problem now is that song.  It just sucks.  1. It sounds like something Jigga would have done when he still referred to himself as Jigga.  2.  Jeezy outshines him on it. and 3.  didn't Smitty have a chours similar to that ("Diamonds on My Neck).  It's pretty much agreed that we don't need to hear about bling-bling anymore.  It's about as played out as the term itself.  And it just basically sounds like something that was put together at the very last minute - like the record label said "Ay man, we need a song in the next five minutes or you're gonna get dropped."  And that's the end product that was pushed to the hip-hop world.  So what do you think????

Choose Diddy's Next Single

                                    

On Diddy's official MySpace page , fans can take a part in choosing his next single.  The contenders are "After Love" ft. Keri Hilson or "Through the Pain" ft. Mario Winans.  My personal favorite is "After Love" because Keri Hilson is a very talented singer-songwriter.  She is part of the songwriting/production team, The Clutch, who turned out such hits as "Icebox" by Omarion, "Anonymous" by Bobby Valentino and "Like A Boy" by Ciara.  She has personally written tracks for Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, the Pussycat Dolls and many others.  You can listen to both songs on his myspace page, so be sure you vote!!!

In other Diddy news, the mogul is set to launch a 'new' fragrance, Unforgiveable Multi Platinum.  This version is limited edition, costs $10 more and will smell like bergamot and iris.

SOURCE

Mya Video - Lock U Down

This is Mya's new vid for Lock U Down featuring Lil Wayne.  I like how she displays different looks in the video. Her album is due out June 26th...

Prince Thinks Paris Hilton Can't Sing

            

and I have no idea why such a talented man would say such a crazy thing.  I mean, did he not hear her debut album????  I'm sure it sold a million copies and she also managed to land at the #3,931 spot in sales rankings.  No, really.

While performing in Vegas, he invited Paris onto the stage, handed her a mike and said to the crowd, "Let's see if she can really sing." gigglechuckle.  She obviously then ran off the stage and left the club.

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Jennifer Lopez is Style Icon of the Year...

...according to US Weekly magazine and it is very well deserved.  She is one of my favorite fashionistas and aside from this metallic disaster, and possibly this one as well  she pretty much manages to step out looking her ultimate best.

New Video - Rihanna, Umbrella

Click here to view Rihanna's new vid for "Umbrella."  I'm not much of a Rihanna fan but I gained a new level of respect for her after first  hearing this song.  I love the vocals, production and arrangement.  The video is pretty cool.  Her new look (hairstyle) is gaining attention worldwide and creating many copycats.  She exhibits a new air of confidence here and showcases more dancing.  Is she a new Beyonce-in-training????

I Love New York Part 2

Unsurprisingly, yet another run of I Love New York (The Hunt For Love) is set to burst onto your tube sometime in the near future.  Although VH1 has declined to comment on the upcoming show, here is a quote from realitywanted.com...

"Yes it's official," stated a posting on realitywanted.com yesterday. "I'm casting Season 2 of 'I Love New York.' I'm casting all types and ethnic backgrounds." The post then asked for potential cast members to be straight men, ages 21 to 36, all races with "extreme personalities."

I honestly thought the second run would be a spin-off about her and Chance reuniting.  I think that would be a little more entertaining.  LOVE Chance!!

You would think that after getting dumped a total of 3 times on national television and being dogged out by two out of three of your potential "soulmates" that you would just give it up, but hey I guess "reality" pays, right???

SOURCE

New Details in Case of Elderly Woman Murdered by Cops (Atlanta)

According to the ajc.com, Atlanta cops Gregg Junnier and Jason R. Smith plead guilty in the death of Kathryn Johnston in November of 2006.  The case is filled with lies and deceit.  The unit had a confidential informant lie for them and say that the ELDERLY woman dealt drugs from her home.  They didn't expect the snitch to turn on them and go to the authorities.  The narc's illegally broke into her house, planted bags of marijuana on her, shot her a total of 39 times and proceeded to place handcuffs on her as she lay bleeding on the floor.  The narc's also say that police commanders had quotas for their officers to lie and obtain search warrants. 

This is definitly an old and ongoing issue within our communities and a few weeks ago, this unfortunate incident happened.  It is sickening and frightening that the people who are appointed to protect us are the ones being appointed to kill us.  Click here for more information.

The Recording Academy Honors 2007

Last night, the Atlanta Chapter of the Recording Academy Honors took place at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel.  Ludacris, Organized Noize Productions and others were honored for their work and integrity in the music industry.  Peep Dawn Robinson from EnVogue.  Check out some pics...

                                                                                                        

THE KING'S BACK

New song from T.I. from DJ Scream's mixtape Most Requested Vol. 3 LOVE this dude!

http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=9534

THIS JUST IN: Eve Arrested in L.A.

According to China Daily  E-V-E was arrested in L.A. on Thursday morning for possibly driving under the influence.  She crashed a very expensive Maserati and was released on $30,000 bail.

Poll of The Week

If Hip-Hop is dead, what is the Fate of R&B?

Most are saying that white artists are OWNING us when it comes to soul music. You would think that after being drowned with trapper-rappers, bazooka blue whips, dime chicks giving fire ass dome, and hearing 25 rappers featured on 10 different remixes of one song, that our culture would openly embrace R&B crooners.  But is this the case?  Mario said "Let Me Love You" two years ago and where is he now?  Omarion had to push back the release date of 21 to garner more recognition, and Bobby Valentino's Special Occasion has been pushed back at least twice because his first single wasn't catching on to the masses.  Then you take a look at Justin Timberlake and Robin Thicke, who are busting the charts wide open on both urban and pop stations. So is it a matter of pigmentation?  Not so, as evidenced by the major takeover we refer to as Akon.  He is accepted by both the urban and pop culture without really having to switch his appeal.  Ciara and Chris Brown are also enjoying much success on the R&B and pop charts.  It has more to do with the culture as a whole, not just the urban culture or the pop culture.  Those who enjoy singing tend to be more open minded and enjoy more of a variety, so they can easily listen to a little Amy Winehouse or Fergie and then bounce right over to Maxwell or Musiq. To push the issue even further, R&B will more than likely never suffer the same fate as hip-hop for the simple fact that singers don't have such a structured image to uphold.  No one expects Lloyd to have sold 100 kilos or to have shot at least 75 people to be accepted.  Mya doesn't have to consider herself a Bonnie to any Clyde on the streets.  You can be whoever the hell you want to be in the world of soul, rhythm and blues – black, white, laid-back, gangsta, sexy, it doesn't matter.  The only thing we require is that we feel something. 

Don't Think, Just Do

Four simple words, one simple phrase that I jacked from a kiddie show on Nickelodeon.  Think about it - your friend tells you of her/his plans to go back to school, or to start a new business venture and proceeds to say but what about the money, but what about finding the time, but what about a million other things that could possibly affect this decision. Remember when we were all teenagers and we were so uninhibited and took chances without thinking of the consequences??  How many times did we sneak out of the house to go to some party we had no business at, or how often did we sneak on the phone at midnight to chat endlessly about nothing.  We weren't scared of anything and we were determined to go out and do whatever it is that we said we were going to do. Why can't we be like that in our twenties and thirties?  Why can't we say "I'm going back to school" and just leave it at that?  The longer we ponder on the 'buts' and the 'what-ifs', the more likely we are to not pursue our dreams.  Start speaking life into your words.  The second an idea comes to mind, act on it.  DON'T THINK, JUST DO.  The idea came to you for a reason, didn't it????????

Midweek News Bulletin

Chingy signed to DTP....AllHipHop

TI and Tiny were probably never broken up....YBF

Akon off the hook...Trinidad Express

Jennifer Lopez gets paid a gwap...The Superficial

Mel B. tatted up with Murphy's name...New York Post

I Thought I Was Here To Promote My Book

So Uncle Russy-Poo was on CNN to promote his new book, BLAHBLAHBLAH.  Peep how excited he was up until Kiran Chetry turns the focus on his cause to clean up the lyrics in hip-hop.  Russy states that nigga/nigger, bitch and hoe should be banned from the airwaves, not the actual contents of the artist's cd. He goes on even further to blame the big corporations for not doing anything about censoring what the children hear. PSHH, whatever.  He's such an opportunist, as you'll see how he swings the conversation back to that book he wrote.

Video: Secrets of a hip-hop mogul*

Granny Jess

I'm all for being trendy and paying homage to those who have come before us, but if I have to go into my great-granny's closet just to be cute, I think I'll pass, thanks

Track Review - This Is Why I'm Cold

Below is the remix to MIMS, "This Is Why I'm Hot," which i personally do not like.  The beat is cool, but lyrically it pretty much sucks.  For someone to have New York on its back, I expect a lot more, but whatever.  The remix is definitely better than the original, but I can't seem to get over "I'm hot cuz I'm cold" WHAT??????????  V-103 in Atlanta played it yesterday afternoon and a lot of listeners seemed to be stuck on R. Kelly's verse:

This is why I’m Kellz

This is why

This is why

This is why I’m Kellz

I’m Kellz cuz I’m hot

you ain’t cuz you not

This is why

This is why

This is why I’m Kellz

If I’m on the hook

This shit is gonna sell

This is why

This is why

This is why I’m Kellz

R&B King

and I’m rollin’ down your block

hits like a bomb

when I let the beat drop

Southside, baby

Kellz rootin’ for the Sox

in the club fallin all over muthafucka’s cuz I’m intox

Girls take me home cuz I’m good on the mattress

yea I’m from the hood

but I be pokin’ these actresses

moral of the story

is cuff your chick if she hot

May 29^th double-up

bitch go cop

Kellz

Everyone was in an uproar because it seems as if he's bragging about sexin and pissin on a 14-year old girl and getting away with it.  It's been 5 years and he still hasn't gone to court, continues to get passes to go on tour, and is apparently still sexin like crazy.  And as more time passes, that video that we all watched, critiqued, laughed at and got disgusted with just gets more and more blurry.   

Personally, it sounds more like a promo for Twista, SpeedKnotMobsters and specifically, R. Kelly's upcoming albums.  May 29th (Kellz release date) was mentioned twice.  He's doing nothing more than marketing himself, bragging about how hot (or cold) he is and he's putting us in perfect place to go cop that when it comes out.  But regardless of what he did/didn't do,  you can't deny that he is indeed the King of R&B.  He continues to consistently bring the heat and he won't stop anytime soon.

DivShare File - twista_r_kelly-this_is_why_im_cold.mp3">This Is Why I'm Cold

To Snitch or Not To Snitch

So Killa Cam won't 'snitch' even if there is a serial killer living next door to him??? Hmmm, very interesting.   Great Cam, stay true to the streets and be the next victim to be chopped up by the deranged guy who lives next door to you! So what if there was a child molestor living next door to you and  your kids?  I understand the whole tattle-tell issue.  Our parents told us as young children to mind our business and not to tell on others, but please, there have to be some exceptions to the rules.  Telling on your co-worker because she's an hour late to work - mind your business; the guy in front of you is cheating on his final exam - mind your business;  saving your life and possibly the lives of others from getting mutulated and bar-b-que'd - you might need to speak up.  I love my people in hip-hop but why must we come off as so ignorant and small-minded?  It's okay to jump out of that box sometimes and not be a slave to the culture that you have molded.  Have your own thoughts and ideas sometimes.  It's actually very liberating!

A Change Gonna Come

 

I haven't posted anything about the Imus situation because initially, I thought it was blown out of proportion.  While I think it was insensitive of him to make such remarks against innocent young women, I did not view it as any different from what our favorite rappers say.  So my train of thought was, take care of home first - if you can call a press conference and maniputlate the time of all media outlets for almost an entire week, you can most certainly devote the time to reaching out to these rappers regarding their lyrical content.  But then the other day, I thought about it some more.  Remember when Michael Richards not so long ago used the N-word, and caused an outrage in both white and black cultures?  We were urged to never use the N-word again because we knew it was our (as a black people) fault.  We knew we had to correct the wrong that we had committed.  For decades we used the negative word toward each other and even went so far as to justify our reasons for doing so.  Granted, though not everyone stopped using the word, it did create a small, monumental ripple in the forthcoming tidal wave of the hip-hop culture.  What if the Michael Richards situation was the first of many to come that will wake us up to the way we treat each other both inside and outside of the hip-hop culture?  What if the Imus situation will cause at least a few rappers (male and female) to think twice about calling women hoes and bitches and to start making more positive, uplifting music. There are many artists who devote their time to this sort of music, but they don't get much airplay, or any at all.  In addition, Ethnicity Models are also gaining ground and forcing a new respectable image of models in the video/entertainment business.  They even go so far as to request video treatments and inquire about wardrobe before they will accept doing a video shoot.  Now I'm also wondering if it will take one big-name artist to force the wave and change his lyrics or will it take a little unknown who unexpectedly blows everyone out of the water? What do you think????????

Why Do We Love To Hate Those on Top?

It happens all the time – we support our favorite artists while they are considered underground, watch them blossom toward notoriety and then superstardom and then all of a sudden, we want to drag them right back down to obscurity.  Take your favorite power couple for example:  Jay-Z and Beyonce.  Somewhere between The Black Album and Hov's takeover of the music business, and hell, business in general, we have repeatedly tried to strip him of all that he has accomplished.  In the beginning, and even as recent as two years ago, we considered him to be the G.O.A.T.  We celebrated his successes, fought for his claim to the throne and now all of a sudden he's weak, he's lost his swagger.   And Beyonce reaps this hardship even more.  From America's little sweetheart to an over-appreciated, conniving bitch.  What happened??? It's actually quite simple – it's the crabs in a bucket mentality.  As long as everyone around us is slightly below our level, they're alright.  They feel equal to us and there is no way in hell they are going to outshine us.  But surprise, surprise!  That one little pesky crab has pushed himself above and beyond and catapulted himself right out the damn bucket.  And now we hate him for it because we were supposed to be there and we could have been there.  Why can't we accept the fact that Jay, ahem Mr. Sean Carter is a grown man handling grown man's business?  He no longer has time to spit about whips, chicks and chips.  He's done it ladies and gentleman. And as for his main squeeze, you can't knock her hustle either.  Granted, she may need to cut back a little bit just to avoid overexposure but nonetheless, she has worked hard for all that she has.   She didn't prolong her dream and didn't sit and wait for someone to discover her.  She asserted herself and set herself apart from all the crabs.  Take notes people.  Take notes.