Half the time, I can’t stand hearing Nicki Minaj rap, and she could probably do with a trip to Charm School, but I can’t lie, she’s nice to look at. Should I feel bad? Hell no! And neither should you! Go on, I’ll give y’all some time alone.
Archive for the ‘Because I Said So’ Category
My Future Ex-Wife Of The Week: Nicki Minaj
Friday, September 4th, 2009My Future Ex-Wife Of The Week: Shingai Shoniwa
Friday, August 14th, 2009
You mean all the soul singers in the UK aren’t white ladies?!? Get the hell outta here! Jokes aside, The Noisettes seem to be garnering some serious attention stateside lately. The band’s lead singer and bassist certainly has my attention this week, with her overall fashion style, sassy vocals, and sharp bass skills. And what can I say, I’m a sucker for a British accent.
My Future Ex-Wife Of The Week: Kerry Washington
Thursday, August 6th, 2009
As if this woman hasn’t proven her sexiness enough, now she’s burnin’ up bed sheets with Maxwell in his latest video. I think I watched that joint about three or four times yesterday! But I’ve pretty much loved this woman from day one. She’s been in some great films, and proven herself more than capable of holding her own with some of the best actors in the biz. Although now, I may be paying more attention to when she’ll show up in another video.
Video Round-Up: 8/05/09
Wednesday, August 5th, 2009Apologies for not posting last week. No excuse for it. Time to get back on track.
Shakira – She Wolf
Watching this video, I’m reminded of the belief that some hold about relating dancing to sex. If that’s the case, Shakira would be that girl that’s great in bed . . . until her finger goes somewhere you don’t expect it to. You may learn to like it, but for the love of God, warn us before you do it the first time!
Planet Asia & DJ Toure – Super Hero
Hip-hop, comics AND video games?! That’s fun for the whole family!
Maxwell – Bad Habit
. . . . . . Well dang, Maxwell. If this ain’t grown AND sexy, I don’t know what is. You can’t really go wrong when you’ve got Kerry Washington as your love interest, but dammit if they didn’t go for broke when the time came to make with the lovin’!
Milk and Honey – Goapele from goapele on Vimeo.
Goapele – Milk & Honey
Obviously, I’m gonna have to go back and check out Goapele’s earlier work, ’cause this song needs to be on my iPod yesterday. Just about everything in this vid is on point, especially the little bits of 80s throwback flavor. And for whatever reason, I’m even digging the gold fangs she’s sporting. Yeah, I know, I’m weird.
Mathpanda | Our Kinetics | 3GGB from D dot Films on Vimeo.
mathpanda – Our Kinetics
Speaking of weird . . . . Hailing from DC, mathpanda definitely take it back with this one, when hip-hop acts used to have some pretty trippy concepts for their videos. The whole silent movie look is a perfect fit for the manic rhymes, and things only get weirder from there; disembodied heads in picnic baskets, headless men aimlessly wandering about a forest, all kinds of . . . head. You’ve been warned.
Good Hair – Official Trailer
Wednesday, August 5th, 2009Chris Rock examines the fascination with “good hair” within black culture in this comedic documentary due out in October, interviewing celebrities and the people who work in the black hair and beauty salon industry (an industry estimated to generate 9 BILLION dollars a year in revenue).
I won’t talk bad about any adult female (or male) who prefers to straighten their hair rather than wear it natural, but seeing that one shot of a little girl getting her hair relaxed didn’t sit right with me at all. That stuff will burn a whole in your scalp if you fuck it up. As for weaves, getting past how expensive a really good one is, it apparently makes sexy-time a logistical nightmare!
My Future Ex-Wife Of The Week: Genelle Williams
Thursday, July 30th, 2009
The rebranding of the Sci-Fi Channel, now known as “Sy-Fy”, continues to be an excercise in voluntary retardation. We’re not even gonna talk about the facepalm-inducing slogan, “Imagine Greater”. That’s like asking a five year-old who had too much Kool-Aid at the park to piss his pants greater! Watching their latest series, Warehouse 13, I almost choked to death laughing when I saw “A Sy-Fy Original Series” in the opening credits! The irony can’t be lost on anyone that’s seen this show, as it ridiculously apes its basic framework from Fox’s Fringe:
Male/Female partner dynamic with thinly-veiled sexual tension? Check!
Dilapitated base of operations/museum of weird science and the paranormal? Check!
Slovenly old eccentric scientist? Check!
Spunky black assistant that never gets to go on missions with the cool kids? CHECK!!!
Which (FINALLY, I know!) brings us to this week’s lovely lady, Genelle Williams. For all my indignation, I’ve actually enjoyed the one or two episodes of Warehouse 13 I’ve managed to catch, so I’m willing to give it a chance. Maybe they’ll actually give Genelle’s character, Leena, something of merit to do. It makes me wonder if this is a sick joke that the people in charge of these shows are playing. At the end of the day, they’re all trying to be The X-Files, but the female leads don’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell of being the total package that was Gillian Anderson as Dana Scully. So when they insist on including supporting female characters that, at least I think are more engaging, it boggles my mind! Is Gina Torres the only sista standing on the frontlines when some sci-fi action needs to go down?!?
Little Dragon Show At Liv Nightclub In Washington, DC / A Few Words With Yukimi Nagano
Tuesday, July 28th, 2009
It was a warm yet breezy Sunday evening in DC, and the sun hasn’t quite gone down yet. My sisters and I made our way to Liv, where the Swedish electro-pop band Little Dragon was set to perform. I had been to Liv several times, and was well aware of its “intimate” setting. We figured with the band’s steadily increasing popularity, they’d have moved on to one of DC’s larger venues, like the 9:30 Club. All things considered, the energy of the crowd was encouraging, even if a handful of patrons lacked manners. Fortunately, my Johnny Walker and Coke made for a suitable mood relaxer.
A local band by the name of Aphrodisia served as the opening act, their eclectic blend of ambient techno and world beat sounds making for a good lead-in when the time came for Little Dragon to perform. At this point, the crowd was sufficiently primed as the band started a set lasting just over an hour. As she did when I saw the band last November, lead singer Yukimi Nagano performed the entire show barefoot. It was that playful spirit that accentuated her commanding vocals. Her body moved gleefully with every note, heightening the experience. Even with knowledge of their upcoming follow-up album, I was honestly surprised to hear them include so much new material, not that there were any complaints from the audience (if ever there was a silent moment over the course of the show, it was ultimately broken by one audience member repeatedly proclaiming, “We love you, Yukimi!! We love you!”). Although when the time came for the inevitable encore, the crowd made their demand to hear the soulful and somber ballad “Twice” known . . . . but not before our senses were shattered with a synth-charged fifteen-minute version of the song “Wink”.
I was lucky enough to speak briefly with lead singer Yukimi Nagano, after the show.
Kayode Kendall: First of all, I thought you guys put on a great show. This is the second time I’m seeing the band, and I think this was an even better performance.
Yukimi Nagano: Oh, wonderful! Thank you.
Kayode: So, now that you’ve been in music the last few years, what would you say has been the achievement you’re most proud of?
Yukimi: Wow, that’s a really hard question. I don’t know, it changes over time. My first goal was just to release an album, so now we’re just looking forward to releasing the second album. I don’t really have any exaggerated goals. I’m just happy we can fill out a small club and make people dance. That’s what makes me happy.
Kayode: Speaking of the new album, what can you tell us about it?
Yukimi: It comes out August 19th, and it’s called Machine Dreams. It’s more of an electronic/soul mix.
Kayode: So, outside of music, what are some things you’re interested in?
Yukimi: I’m a big art lover, actually.
Kayode: Who would you say is your favorite artist at the moment?
Yukimi: I like a lot of Japanese art. Right now, someone I really like, his name is Hideyuki Katsumata. He actually did the cover art for our second album. He makes really dream-like art, it’s very childish and at the same time a little evil.
Kayode: Very cool. Are there any other musicians you might be interested in collaborating with?
Yukimi: I’m so happy with the band, and I’ve worked with other artists in the past, I’m really more concerned with maintaining the foundation of Little Dragon. I’m not really interested in working with other artists at the moment.
Kayode: Well, thanks again for taking some time to talk. Again, the show was great.
Yukimi: Great, thank you.
Video Round-Up: 7/20/09
Monday, July 20th, 2009Another week, another video round-up. Y’all know the drill!
Jadyn Maria ft. Flo Rida – Good Girls Like Bad Boys
This new kid on the block comes to us courtesy of Ne-Yo, and she certainly has some potential. I’m gonna have to see a live performance before I’m sold on her, but otherwise, she fits into a certain pop/R&B mold that will serve her well. And yeah, the whole Red Riding Hood motif for this video doesn’t hurt. But dammit, why is Flo Rida involved!??! WHY MUST YOU PUNISH ME, LORD!!!!
Raphael Saadiq – Let’s Take A Walk
While I wasn’t necessarily taken with The Way I See It, it doesn’t take away from my opinion of Raqhael Saddiq, who continues to make great music that can be appreciated by all types of music lovers. Of course this video would be a full-on 60s Motown throwback, like the brotha was performing on Ed Sullivan, or somethin’! And the back-up dancers are pretty damn groovy.
Vida Guerra ft. Prohoezak – Like That
It’s Vida. . . .and she’s rapping. . . . . .This is why God created the mute button, ’cause there’s really no other way to tolerate, much less enjoy this video.
Kid Cudi ft. Kanye West & Common – Make Her Say
Ya know, after all this time, I just can’t figure out what this song is supposed to be about! I feel like I have an idea, and it’s right on the tip of my head, I mean tongue. And this video doesn’t help me solve the mystery! It’s gonna drive me nuts if I don’t figure it out soon!
Tabi Bonney – Jet Setter
Tabi certainly is an odd character, but I think he’s made that one of his strengths. As someone who lives in the DC/Metro area, I was more than happy to see him performing at the Rock The Bells second stage a little over a week ago. And he’s always got the nicest ladies in his videos! Even on a lower budget that most rap vids, the “grown folks rooftop party” theme is a nice touch.
Pac Div- Church League Champions Mixtape
Monday, July 20th, 2009
Tracklisting:
01. Dick Vitale
02. We The Champs (Duke v. Carolina)
03. Pac Div
04. Mayor
05. For You
06. No No
07. Knuckleheadz
08. Whiplash
09. Underdogs (interlude)
10 Shut Up
11. Young Black Male
12. Never
13. Back
Download: Pac Div – Church League Champions (Mixtape)
Music Review: Black Eyed Peas – The E.N.D.
Friday, July 17th, 2009
In listening to the Black Eyed Peas latest album, I’ve come to accept that their transition into more radio-friendly pop fare shouldn’t be that surprising. The inclusion of Fergie was a sound strategy, as the group probably took into account their moderate successes on an underground level; tracks like “That’s the Joint, That’s the Jam” and “Weekends” being more notable to those on the fringe of their original fanbase. Decidedly danceable and complemented by female vocals, it admittedly makes sense that the group would re-conceptualize themselves based on that particular mold. And they continue to take that mold further on The E.N.D.
From the moment “Boom Boom Pow” starts, it’s evident that the group is going for more of a dance/electronica vibe, the track charged with an ambient techno-tronic hum and bass-heavy drum loops. “Rock That Body” meanwhile, is an example of some not-so-subtle borrowing from Discovery-era Daft Punk, accentuated by a Rob Base sample. More of this can be heard on “Alive”, seemingly inspired by “Something About Us” in its bassline and chorus, albeit slightly more uptempo. These nods are good in moderation, and thankfully never overtake the album. It actually makes for a welcome change of pace on “Rockin’ to the Beat”, which follows the more disposable fare of “Now Generation” and “One Tribe”. The funk guitar riffs mesh well with the futuristic disco elements. The energy level is right where it needs to be to end the album on a high note. However, one of The E.N.D.’s more notable tracks has to be “Imma Be”. Starting off as the kind of downtempo crunk jam you might find in a club down in the dirty south, it ultimately morphs into a more upbeat New York house anthem.
This isn’t to say The E.N.D. doesn’t have shortcomings. Tracks like “I Got A Feeling” and the aforementioned “Now Generation” and “One Tribe” break up the flow of the album with lethargic pop-rock production and uninspired concepts. There’s also the clear shift in the dynamic of the group in general, wherein Fergie is so prominently featured throughout the album, you’d swear the others were backing up her on a solo project. Will.i.am is still very much the ringleader, but tracks like “Meet Me Halfway”, “Missing You”, and “Out Of My Head” are clearly meant to spotlight group’s vocalist. These offerings aren’t bad so much as they’re overbearing. And while the original trio, quite honestly, were never as lyrically dexterous as some may like to believe, their rhymes never sounded as phoned in as they do on The E.N.D. This is either an honest homage to the more simplistic rhyme deliveries of hip-hop’s early days, or a means of setting the bar low enough for Fergie to jump over whenever she attempts to bust a rhyme.
As far as reinventions go, The E.N.D. just barely boasts more successes than failures. Few albums are as blissfully stupid, while maintaining some semblance of charm. Pushing further away from their musical beginnings, however, one has to wonder where the group can go from here.
Final Verdict: C+