Friday, June 26, 2009




One of Pop Culture's True Icons, Michael Jackson embodied so much of what pop music is today. His influence is undeniable,thus his memory will live forever. My heart goes out to his family and friends.


Top 15 Favorite Michael Jackson Songs


  1. Off the Wall

  2. Wanna Be Starting Something

  3. P.Y.T Pretty Young Thing

  4. Beat it

  5. Billie Jean

  6. It's the Falling in Love

  7. Man in the Mirror

  8. Smooth Criminal

  9. Baby Be Mine

  10. Bad

  11. Leave Me Alone

  12. Who's is it

  13. Remember the Time

  14. Thriller

  15. Don't Stop til You get Enough

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Black Eyed Peas, The E.N.D Energy Never Dies*****




On their 4th studio disk they deliver an array of electro-styled or infused Pop and R&B gems. This is the party album of the year. Will-I-am’s production and vocal manipulation on tracks like Rock your Body, Imma Be, and I Gotta Feeling, are a refreshing departure from some of the more overly zealous and produced arrangements dominating radio today. By the way, who are the other two guys? They seem to fly under the radar on this disk, which is fine with me. I’m all about Fergie and this disk is full of the fergalicious one herself. Go and get The E.N.D. or download these, Meet Me Halfway, Out of my Head, and The Showdown.

Ne-Yo Mis-leads Young Women



In a recent boombox.com article, Ne-Yo, the R&B crooner dispenses some not so “real” advice to a young and aspiring female singer. He basically says if you’re a fat, step back. Not in so few words, but that is definitely how this possibly very impressionable young woman and broader audience will ingest it. Of course Ne-Yo is entitled to his informed opinion. He lives and breathes the music industry. Still, when I read these kinds of comments, I am always baffled by the commentator’s lack of empathy.
Now, I did only read a portion of the blog, maybe his comments were taking out of context and if so, I should probably reserve judgment. But, I’ll go the way of Fox News on this one and call it, before I have all the information, which may ultimately undermine my stance, oh well, go with me on this one.
I do believe there is something destructive about those remarks, possibly my feminist leanings or something. I guess what Ne-Yo is really saying to these girls is prepare yourselves. The music industry today is primarily style over substance. Of course, when both talent and looks lie in one person, then she’s a package deal. But, really his comments speak to the pervasive beauty myth in our culture about women’s bodies. For him to suggest that artist, such as Jill Scott or Jennifer Hudson’s success isn’t comparable to Beyonce’s simply doesn't follow. Success is subjective, and these women have all reached a pinnacle of success that is laudable.
Beyonce mostly sells sex and fantasy in her music. The latter two don’t. Or not to the degree that Beyonce does. Maybe Ne-Yo should revise his comments, if you want to be a sex symbol, in the music industry, then you’ll need to lose weight, assuming you’re an overweight aspiring singer. Of course, the parameters for weight, acceptable or commercially viable weight constantly change. To see a “big” woman dance like Beyonce often becomes parody in our culture, it’s not sexy ( think Mo’nique at the Bet Awards three years ago). As Issac Mizahi says on The Fashion Show, “Sorry honey we’re just not buying it.” And so, so the public generally has a very one-dimensional view of female sexuality. Ne-Yo, when you make such an ill-conceived generalization you suggests to young women that their success is dependent on their weight. You then minimize the success of artists like Jill Scott, Jennifer Hudson, Adele, Kelly Clarkson, and Jordan Sparks because these women do not fit the culturally accepted script for “sexiness” is frankly complicit sexism.
Sad, but true are the realities of the industry, but there are just as many skinny or physically fit girls who have not reached the success of Beyonce. So, his advice and argument is basically ad hominem thinking. Here’s my advice, focus on your talent first, if you’ve got the goods, you’ll at least get your foot in the door. If you want mainstream success, of course you’ll have to be marketable, but don’t let that fact deter or defer your dreams.

Perez Hilton & The “F” word



Earlier this week all the blogs were ablaze reporting the out-spoken and controversial blogger Perez’s Hilton's confrontation at a popular West coast night club with the Black Eye Peas manager. First, it goes with saying, but I’ll say it anyway, no matter what Hilton said, he didn’t deserve to get punched. And from what it looks like, he got the _ _ _ _ knocked out of him. Everyone condemned Chris Brown for his brutal attack, so the same should apply to the B.E.P’s manager. But, I think public attention is more focused on the gay slur Hilton hurled at the B.E.P’s manager. So, it seems a case of clear violent behavior is now overshadowed by Hilton’s speech.
I don’t like Hilton. He does post some funny, crazy, ridiculous celebrity gossip on his blog. But, he just seems very annoying and fake. Like most 15 minute fame pseudo celebs he thinks he’s actually important.
Still, I do question why Hilton felt no other word in the English language could express his feelings. Of course, I’m guilty of saying things like, “oh you’re so gay, or that’s so gay, or even you fag.” But, and a pretty big one I might add. It’s all about context and intent. And, given the context of Hilton’s confrontation, and his own admission, he was using the word in the most hurtful way.
And, some gay activist would charge that in the heat of the moment he became like all those small minded and bigoted people who throw that slur at gay men daily. Hilton writes, "Words can hurt. I know that very well, from both sides of the fence. The other night in Toronto, after feeling physically threatened by a verbally abusive will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas, I chose the most hurtful word I know to hurl at him. I was in an out-of-the ordinary situation and used a word that I would not utter under normal circumstances." While I disagree with his word choice, he wasn’t exercising clear judgment, as is common among politicians these days, he “mis-spoke.” I’m all for political correctness, but sometimes emotions get the best of people, hell, most of the time. So, I think it’s a little premature to argue that Hilton’s comment was anything other than an angry and upset person exercising poor judgment. Yes, as a gay man himself, he shouldn’t have called the B.E.P’s manager a faggot. But, I think it’s slightly disingenuous to suggest that his use of the word is somehow analogous to say Isaiah Washington’s rant.