Different Shades of Black

The recent death of Trayvon Martin has shed light on racism in America.  In just three weeks several boundaries have been created, but none more than black against white.  This is nothing new; the black community has always been shunned in America.  We walk to the beat of our own drum and we are always so enriched in our culture, our norms, and our history.  In turn, since the beginning of time black people have been misunderstood as well as stereotyped. 

At a glance, the Trayvon Martin case seems like a hate crime that was racially motivated.  To Zimmerman, Trayvon looked like a trouble maker or a “thug” because he was wearing a hoodie.  Somehow, over the years a hoodie has become associated with danger in the black community…who knew?  We (as in the black community) clearly see this for what it is, which is a stereotype.  Not all black people are the same. 

Here’s my problem:

Every day I read on Twitter, Facebook, the blogs, and the news different opinions of black people in our community.  We are so quick when there is a matter of race to talk about boycotting those “crackers,” “pigs,” and “whitey.”  Secondly, we are quick to shun the people of our own community who do not follow suit.  If you work for the “white man” you are considered a sellout.  If you work a 9 to 5 for the “white man” you are slaving.  If you are putting your money in the bank, you are letting the “white man” swindle you.  If you are compliant to authorities or even mildly respectful you lost your race card!  I am the last person to yell “Heil Hitler” or “White Power” but I see a consistent problem in our community.  We are so quick to divide ourselves within our own community.  We judge each other and are quick to outcast another person.  There are different shades of black.  Just because one did not grow up in the hood or struggling does not make them any less black than the next person.  Black people grow up differently.  Not all of us are raised to be in touch with mother earth and Africa.  All of us are not Muslims; some are Christian, some are Catholic etc.  Some of us like to work; working is the American way because living in America is not free!  Some of us want a better life and we want to be able to live comfortably.  But does that make me any less Black? 

We have come a long way.  There was a time where we could not vote, could not receive an education, we were denied knowledge.  Now we have Black doctors, Black lawyers, Black colleges and universities, and Black media personalities (shot out to myself!!!).  The sky is the limit for us because we now have the knowledge to create our own opportunities.  So why do we continue to judge one another, divide our race and put each other down?  Before we can solve the problem with racism in America, we have to solve the racism and classism in our own community.  (Follow me @eyediditmyway)

The Underdogs

For some odd reason when it comes to music I always love to fight for the underdog.  You know… the artists that people look over or don’t even consider “hot.”  You know as well as I do that in the music industry artists are only relevant as their last hit.  This is especially true for artists that enter the music industry at a young age.  Child stars have it hard because they grow up in the spotlight and their music always corresponds to their age.  The problem lies when the artists become legal: their image usually changes and so does the subject matter in their songs.  In turn, their audience either likes the shift or writes the artists off. 

Bow Wow and Yung Berg are two artists that are the ultimate underdogs in today’s music industry.  Although they have gained other talents over the years (Bow Wow acting and Yung Berg producing), being an artist is their first love.  They struggle to remain relevant or to even be taken serious as a rapper.  They both enjoyed success during their teenage years under the wings of Jermaine Dupri and DMX, but when they chose to step out on their own there was a disconnect from their audience.  Bow Wow and Yung Berg both had successful singles but audiences wrote them off as trying too hard or pretending to be something that they’re not. 

Bow Wow and Yung Berg might not receive mainstream love but all of their mixtapes are FIRE!  Both of these guys are not lyrical geniuses but they are not Lil B and Soulja Boy neither!  The production that Bow Wow and Yung Berg use on some of their mixtapes makes it sound more like an album.  Also, besides trash talking, Bow Wow and Yung Berg always manage to drop at least one introspective track per mixtape.  Either way; here are a few tracks from the underdogs that I think you should check out.

BOW WOW

The Green Light (2009): Regret

Greenlight 3 (2010): How I Feel

Greenlight 4 (2011): Boy or Girl

Greenlight 4 (2011): Lets Get Closer

Greenlight 4 (2011): Ain’t Thinkin’ Bout You ft. Chris Brown

I’m Better Than You (2011): Mary Jane

YUNG BERG

The Show, The Afterparty, & The Hotel (2010): What U On(I Been Getting Money)

Money Can’t Buy Love (2010): Like A Pony ft. K-Young

Ground Work (2010): Call On Me ft. K-Young & K-Smith

Ground Work (2010): Girlfriend

Reality Check (2011): Heart Of The City ft. Mia Rey

Reality Check (2011): Had It All ft. Mia Rey

So what they talk about having sex with multiple girls, smoking weed, and having more money than the average person...it wouldn't be Hip Hop if SOME artists weren't materialistic! Some of these tracks you might be able to relate to or definitely bump in your ride!

(Follow me @eyediditmyway)

Disappearing Acts Part 2

“And you know I had to do the remix right?”  (In my Ludacris voice, cues “Gettin Some Head remix!”)  It is easier for us to notice when female artists struggle in the music industry because either a blog points it out or a random male puts them on blast.  However, the music industry does not discriminate when it comes to failures.  Here are a few artists that have fallen off the face of the earth. 

Have you ever stopped and asked yourself, when is the last time that Ray J put out some good quality music?  Ray J is talented in many ways: the bedroom (don’t act like you haven’t seen the sex tape), trash talking (remember how he knocked out Fabolous), as a club promoter, as a reality TV star (For The Love of Ray J Seasons 1 and 2), and actor (Moesha and One on One).  But when it comes to singing….that’s a different story. 

Ray J hit the scene in 1995 with his debut single “Let It Go.”  It wasn’t until 2001 when we all took notice of Brandy’s brother with his unforgettable single “Wait A Minute.”  I was too young to club then but everybody knows that this was a club and radio smash!  Ray J got his R&B thug on in the video and showed us how mannish he was by fondling Lil Kim.  Then came 2005; Ray J wasn’t too proud to beg on “One Wish.”  This song won ladies hearts all over the world and made Ray J a sex symbol.  Therefore, it was only right that he connected with Yung Berg for the 2008 summer anthem “Sexy Can I.”  And then….nothing.  Reality TV called and his music has suffered ever since.  He tried to make a comeback with his single “Last Wish” circa 2010 but that was short lived.  Fast forward a couple years later and Ray J is an attention whore who is struggling to remain relevant.   

Remember J. Holiday?  He was the “it” artist from 2007-2009.  As a solo/unknown artist he carried R&B on his back and made being a newcomer look easy.  Back of My Lac spawned a couple of singles.  The lead single “Bed” had everybody wanting to take a nap in order to receive some special attention.  Due to the success of the single J. Holiday had everyone trying to sing “Eh” in falsetto.  On his second single, “Suffocate,” J. Holiday managed to describe exactly how it feels to be away from the person you love.  In both “Bed” and “Suffocate” the lyrics were honest and relatable; I think that is the main reason why we liked him.  In his songs and his videos he never came across as trying too hard or trying to be something that he was not.  He stuck to this same strategy on his second studio album Round 2.  Its only single was “Its Yours.”  I remember the song being well received but the album lacked promotion.  Fast forward three years later…no word if he is working on a third album or if he has given up on the music industry. 

Both of these artists made me think that new age R&B was making a comeback.  To me, Ray and J. Holiday were the last of a dying breed.  Nowadays R&B singers want to appear hard and want to be rappers.  What part of the R&B game is that?  I would hope that both of these male artists could get it together and release some quality music.  Honestly, it’s not looking promising.   (Follow me @eyediditmyway)

Disappearing Acts

If you’re like me there has been a time when your favorite artist has pulled a Dave Chappelle.  They were everywhere but now you see them out-and-about as much a groundhog.  Whether it was a bad relationship, drug and alcohol problems, family drama, record label disputes, or a mental breakdown; these few artists left us asking “Where’s Waldo?” 

Who can forget the sultry and mind-blowing voice of Jazmine Sullivan?  Her first smash, “Need You Bad,” hit the scene in the summer of 2008 and instantly took the world by storm.  With production and vocals from Missy Elliott, Jazmine gave us hit after hit on her debut album Fearless.  Let’s not forget the bold “Bust Your Windows.”  Though the title sounds a little crazy, there is a part of every woman that wants to do something reckless when they are cheated on.  Playing on those emotions Jazmine followed up with “Lions, Tigers, &Bears.”  This is one of my personal favorites! Who has not experienced the dangerous waters of falling in love?  Then….2010 came; Jazmine gave us “Holding You Down.”  Another one of those life situations that everybody has been through but rather not discuss.  Similar to “Need You Bad,” “Holding You Down” was another track that we could dance to while Jazmine’s vocals described every ounce of our pain.  Fast Forward two years later: Her label has morphed into RCA Music Group, she has publicly mentioned her disdain with the politics in the music industry, and she is currently “working on her next album.”  Yeah…sure! We rarely see her on a red carpet or any event with random celebrities.  Two years ago she was on tours, her songs stayed in rotation on the radio, and she was doing several interviews.  Where is she now?

You know I had to do it….

Keyshia Cole is that one artist that I like to call a homie-lover-friend.  No disrespect to her, but she is everything wrapped up in one person.  Homie: being from Oakland she knows the streets and also the church.  Lover: she had a two year romance with Young Jeezy and found the man of her dreams in Boobie Gibson.  Friend: Not only has she been best friends with Monica for years, she convinced Monica to leave her dead-beat baby daddy and want to be rapper Rocko.  In turn, Keyshia introduced Monica to NBA Stud (Shannon Brown) and of course he wasn’t afraid to put a ring on it!

Musically, Keyshia Cole can SAAANNG!  Not sing, not carry a tune, but SAAANNG!  (I’m tearing up just thinking about it.  For goodness sake she sang an apology to Mary J. Blige at the end of The Game’s single “Game’s Pain.”)  I recommend that everyone fall in love at least once so you can witness what it is suppose to feel like via (my favorite Keyshia Cole song) “Love.”  The soulfulness in her vocals on that track makes you feel everything she is saying.  And heartbreak never felt so honest until you’ve heard “I Should Have Cheated,” “Last Night,” or “I Remember.”  If that is too much for you, Keyshia remains your favorite homie on the club/radio smash “Let It Go.”  Whether you are a Keyshia Cole fan or not (remember her brief beef with The Queen of Hip Hop Soul: MJB) you have to give credit when it’s due.  Keyshia Cole can sing me a death threat and it would sound “Heaven Sent” to me!  Fast Forward a year or so later: she’s married and has a son, cut ties with her erratic extended family, and is seen out occasionally.  She is currently “working on her next album and taping a new reality show called Family First.”  Is that so? 

These artists have the potential to be legendary.  Their careers already remind me of Divas such as MJB and Missy Elliot.  However, the worst thing an artist can do is pull a Lauryn Hill or Dave Chappelle.  I understand that life happens but their music is like chicken noodle soup, it’s good for the soul!    

Bonus: Fantasia Barrino

(Follow me @eyediditmyway) 

Another Day, Another Female Rapper

Everybody is their own boss on YMCMB.  Drake has OVOXO, Nicki Minaj has MAC and OPI, and Tyga has Last Kings.

Honey Cocaine is an Asian female rapper from Canada, and is the first signed artist to Tyga’s Last Kings record label.  Just like her name, Honey Cocaine is sweet and dangerous.  Similar to her female predecessors, she wants to be recognized as a female who can spit with the best of them (even if “them” are really men).

In the last eight years it has become standard procedure to release a mixtape in order to create a buzz. You can only imagine my surprise when I discovered the title of her debut mixtape is Fuck Yo Feelings Vol. 1.  At first glance I thought the title was very abrasive and grimy.  However, after 1:06 of the first track, I understood her decision.

Honey Cocaine has a few stand out tracks: Heisman, Heisman Part 2, Feel Shit, Too Pussy To, and Fuck Yo Feelings. After listening to the mixtape’s 15 tracks two things are undeniable: ALL 15 beats are fire, and she can definitely rap.  However, the problem is that her raps are so shallow; they lack content. Not every artist is going to rap about growing up poor and social/economic problems but REALLY?  How many tracks can a person make about being heartless, careless, and hard? Secondly, she tends to curse too much. At times it is just unnecessary.  Lastly, the choruses to her songs are basic and repetitive at best. This reconfirms that her raps lack substance.

In her defense, she is another female rapper that gives us what we have been missing since Nicki Minaj decided to go Pop. Hopefully, in the near future Honey Cocaine can invest in a ghostwriter so she can put out a stellar debut album. Even though she is better than Kreayshawn and V-Nasty, she has a tough road ahead of her.  (Follow me @eyediditmyway)

The 54th Annual Grammy Awards

Let’s just start out and give the crew of the Grammys a round of applause for all of their hard work and effort.  I know receiving news that Whitney died the night before the Grammys must have rocked their world.  Putting the Grammys together is no easy task, but having to incorporate a tribute in 24 hours..whew…commendable!

There are so many highlights on the Grammys. Bruce Springsteen kicked off the show in true Rock & Roll style; that is how you open up a show! Bruno Mars followed; surprising the hell out of me with his performance. He is a great singer and songwriter, but what a hell of a performance. He danced and sang live, and he managed to keep the crowd entertained…true pop star. Other incredible performances include Foster of the People with Maroon 5 and The Beach Boys, and Coldplay and Rihanna. I knew Rihanna had some moves, but she really impressed me with her dancing and choreographed routine. The illumination of Coldplay’s set was fantastic; eye catching at the very least…and the vocals of Chris Martin leave Rihanna’s yodeling in the dust! And speaking of yodeling, that’s what Taylor Swift usually does when she performs live. Not this time, Taylor made such a statement in her own little quirky way: take that Kanye! (Side note: I like a lot of Taylor’s music).

There were some misses though. As talented that Chris Brown is, his performance was lackluster. We have seen Chris Brown sing and dance live plenty of times; I have no idea why he chose to lip sync. Was he channeling his inner Ashley Simpson? He jumped around on some blocks, did some typical (do not try this at home) Chris Brown moves and that was it. His set was full of rainbow colors and I liked that shout to the gay people, but still it left me wanting more. Oh, and let’s not forget Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt’s tribute to the late Etta James. The intent was good, but the performance was flat, dry, and not needed. Other misses, Lil Wayne’s outfit. Some college students aren’t allowed to wear pajama pants to class anymore, he should not be allowed to wear stupid outfits. And the ABSOLUTE WORST performance of the night belongs to Nicki Minaj! I thought that it couldn’t get any worse than her “Stupid Hoe” music video. Somewhere in Nicki’s twisted little mind, she thought it was a good idea to introduce the whole world to Roman via an exorcism….on live TV….at the Grammys. It was really a WTF moment, especially after such a fantastic, powerful, and simple tribute to Whitney Houston. Whitney was known to embrace all young artists, and I am pretty sure she would have been confused at the performance. As I blogged before I am always pro non-conformist and I dig expressionism; but seriously Nicki do better. I will never question her spirituality because it is not my place to. It was just too much. Know when to censor, know when less is more, know when it’s not always a good idea to think all the way out the box.  The only positive thing about her performance was that it was  great promo for her because it has the world talking. Mission accomplished?

Overall, the 54^th Annual Grammy Awards was great. Where else can you get such a diverse selection of great music and learn some new artist at the same time? I wonder what they will have in store next year. (Follow me @eyediditmyway)

Madonna's Super Bowl Show

Now that the dust has officially settled, it is time to discuss Madonna’s 2012 Super Bowl Half Time Performance.  Who does not love and respect Madonna? Her music is trendy, diverse, and timeless.  With decades of hits that includes favorite songs such as, “Virgin, “Vogue”, “Music,” and “4 minutes,” she is truly the Queen of Pop. 

Sunday night Madonna put on one hell of a performance.  When you think of a Super Bowl Half Time show you want to see sort of a theatrical performance. Lights, pyro, dancers, glitz, glamour, costumes…as the audience we want a mini concert.  It was all there, Madonna delivered in so many ways.  Also, she had several surprise cameos in her Half Time show: the party-rocking LMFAO, the world-famous Nicki Minaj, and the rebellious British rapper/singer-songwriter M.I.A. 

M.I.A…

Apparently M.I.A thought that it would be a good idea to flash her middle finger while performing her part in Madonna’s new single, “Give Me All Your Luvin.”  Too bad, this was a LIVE performance for the SUPER BOWL! The Super Bowl is one of the most viewed programs every year; football is THE All-American sports game.  It brings families and friends together every week to root for their favorite teams.  So, why on earth would it be a great idea to do something sinister during a Super Bowl performance? Have performers not learned anything from Janet Jackson’s 2004 Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction? The whole world freaked over a nipple (although it was inappropriate).  Granted, in M.I.A’s defense she has a reputation of being artistic, creative, outspoken, controversial, and rebellious.  She is a leader of the new school; a trend setter.  These are the things you expect with an artist like M.I.A. In fact, this is why she signed a contract with NBC to not do anything controversial during the Half Time performance; rumor has it that at least she conformed to these terms during rehearsals. 

I love the non-conformist that M.I.A. is.  I am always pro-non-conformist! However, there is a time and place.  M.I.A actually has had a really successful career overseas and in the states, in my opinion she did not need the extra publicity.  In fact, this can get her [briefly] black-balled in the states. Secondly, she took all the shine from the biggest performance of Madonna’s career.  Now what will we remember about the 2012 Super Bowl Half Time Performance:

1.       M.I.A flips the bird

2.       Nicki Minaj kept her multiple personalities in check

3.       Cee-Lo’s outfit looked like something out of a Sci-Fi movie

4.       Oh yeah…and Madonna performed 

(Follow me @eyediditmyway)