Something that I’ve been thinking about recently, the lack of honest emotion in today’s popular music climate. I’ve been thinking about Marvin Gaye’s Hear My Dear album and The Temptations song Just My Imagination specifically.
All comments and feedback are welcome.
Eh…
Just decided that I could/should do some type of visual updates from time to time. Consider this the first of many.
yeeeaaaap.
Yo, the passing of the legendary Michael Jackson effects me greatly, as I suspect it does to many of my peers. If you consider yourself any type of musician, or hell a fan of music, then this loss should weigh heaviest on your heart.
I got the news through a text I got from my pops, and honestly I didnt think much of it. I guess I didnt really believe it or somethin. A few moments later tho, I got calls and text from other sources telling me that my childhood idol, and greatest entertainer of all time had passed of a cardiac arrest in his LA home…still it didn’t really hit me. Not until me and my brother started riding around and listening to classics with the windows rolled down is when it sunk in. When the very first “OW!” of Black or White was yelled, my heart instantly sunk to the soles of my feet, and for the duration of the playlist, I alternated between dancing, crying out in pain and holding back tears.
My thoughts went straight to my entire childhood, and how big of an influence he was. Not just to me, but you can see traces of him in just about everyone who was aware of his presence. Generations of kids and adults can all recall when the wanted to BE Michael..not be like…BE him. His music is timeless, his moves revolutionary, his style flawless, his love for humanity…everything about the man was just..man, Im seriously at a loss for words. He really changed the world.
Sadly, accusations of pedophilia in the media, and seemingly bizarre behavior turned him into a pariah. That, coupled with being haunted of a troubled childhood forced him into an isolated state of existence. People quickly forgot all that he has done for the world…and I feel like he was on the verge of attempting to make us all fall in love with him again. I believe he was working towards being back on top. Im heartbroken that he left us so suddenly.
I know the internet is going nuts with MJ news, and Im sure my little corner wont really matter in the grand scheme, but I just had to vent my adoration and mourning. I will miss MJ so much. I just want him to be remembered for all the good he put out into the world, and that we celebrate his life to the fullest! I want to see people dancing and smiling when the remember him! I think thats the way he would’ve wanted it.
Rest in Peace king.
Have you ever felt like just a body? Like, empty? Souless? That’s kinda what I’ve been feelin like for a minute now. Completely vapid and out of sync for the most part. Even as I type this, I’m not really focused on the words and letters; I feel machine-like, programmed to type on the keys.
You may askk what’s got me feeling like this, to which I would respond with this (probably the most candid and open entry I’ve ever blogged), Im not doin to well. At this immediate time, I’m sorta jobless and homeless. I should be starting one of my two tentative jobs (maybe both if I can figure out how to swing it) fairly soon, but still, they’re not something I want to be doing, but I feel like I have to. Also, for the time being, Im posted up at my dad’s house…which is adding to my emptiness. Every moment spent reminds me why I like being alone so much. One of the main reasons I’ve tried to stay away from here so long is because I know how much scrutiny Im always under here. Everything I do or dont do or say, is always met with some criticism, and when you’re already pretty low in spirits, it just is more than you want to handle.
Still gotta move some shit outta my old place, I guess. Really, I’m not too attached to the shit thats still their to really be super worried about it. Maybe a little, but if I lose it, I just lose it.
I haven’t really had any huge musical happenings either. I dont have my recording equipment currently, so I cant make anything, nor record. I havent been able to really write anything in a while. I’ve been kinda getting the shaft as far as doin shows, and not really looking forward to doing any in the immediate future. I’m just physically sick of it all. Just tired.
I dont even have a good way to conclude this entry, so I wont try to come up with somethin.
This is precisely why I dig Jay Smooth. Here’s his eloquent and well thought out response to the recent foolishness that Charles Hamilton has been involved in err, brought on himself. As I have said before, I am a fan of dudes music. I think he’s an insanely talented dude, but damn it if he doesn’t shoot himself in the foot he just put in his mouth at every chance he gets. Jay breaks down his theory as to why Charles does these things…and what we as the (few) fans who dont hate his guts can do to hopefully help the guy out.
(Preface: Shout out to Miles Bonny for inviting me to do this, shout out to Pyramidwest for shooting this, and shout out Dutch Newman for accompanying me. ’twas a fun night.)
Prince Rogers Nelson turns 51 today.
We truly adore you sir.
Peace and light.
…as Kansas City’s Power and white Light district KC Live venue kicks out legendary Hip Hop DJ Jazzy Jeff for playing hip hop 30 min. into his set at the establishment last night (a la Uncle Phil).
I may not be the best person to address the situation, as I was not there, but that does, however, put me in a different position. As a Kansas Citian that has never partook in any events that have been down there, this definitely does not make anyone like me want to go. Part of the reason I had never been is because I already knew the drill…I’ve read and heard about more act of racial discrimination happening in the area then I care to, already solidifying my stance in not ever going. Hopefully this recent event opens everyone elses eyes to the foolishness thats been going on down there since it’s inception.
Twitter was on fire last night with rants. People where heated, swearing off the district for good. KC natives and hip hop lovers hang their collective heads in shame at the debacle, and how it will look to the rest of the country. The Cordish Co. has already gone into PR clean-up mode, trying to spin the situation in their favor…and DJ Jazzy Jeff was just as confused as the rest of us about the situation.
What I hope to see happen in response to this madness is (as the homie Miles Bonny says), people become aware of the obstacles we as artists face all the time coming from here. I also want to see people stick to what has been said…dont spend another dime there, dont eat there, dont even park by that place. I think it’s too early and too fresh for anything major to happen just yet, but use this as fuel to propel some kinda change.
I’ve been sayin KC P&L was a waste and an eyesore, glad others are starting to see it also.
(Preface: This has been waiting in the draft section for a looooong time, just saw it fitting to resurrect this now. The Ecstatic – June 9th!)
Mighty Mos, Black Dante, M-O-S Definitely…what is there really to say that already hasn’t been said about the man, one of my personal idols, Mos Def? I felt it was only right to do my next man crush post on a dude I consider to be one of my biggest influences, from music to style to activism and message, Mos Def truly embodies several things I wish to portray.
As a true renaissance man of our time, Mos Def (born Dante Terell Smith) has achieved unparalleled success in music and acting, tackling roles from several different genre on film and stage, and continuing to be ever evolving in his musical output, refusing to be boxed in anywhere. Also refusing to conform to any system put in place by releasing only what he feels like releasing, with nary a care ast to what type of acclaim they may receive (specifically the album True Magic), a lot can be said about such fearlessness in music in this day and age. Thats the same type of fearlessness that I draw inspiration from. Mos is one of the dudes I’d listen to when I need to be reminded that you dont have to cater to anyones preconceived notions as to what you should do or how you should be, just be yourself at all cost, a lesson everyone can find meaning in.
Enough chain-yanking [pause], check after the jump for a recent freestyle from Mos on 106 & Park (for the release of The Ecstatic) or not, just peep the video here (because I cant embed Dailymotion vids here for some reason).
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