VMA 2010 Wrap Up

Nicki minaj at the pre-show…. So the Barbie gimmick doesn’t translate live. This performance reminded me of halle berry in BAPS when she was dancing for Heavy D.

2010 MTV Video Music Awards - More VMA Video

SEEEEE!!!!

I should have known it was gonna be a mess from there!!

GaGa was giving me so much Cher on the white carpet. I LOVE Cher.

I’m not an Eminem fan… but he is consistent… does him. That is all. Love that. [Hype man... please stand in the corner of the stage. You’re annoying]

I LOVE Chelsea Handler!!! So much I do. Although… some of the jokes were a miss, and I never wanna hear another high joke mentioning snoop

Wth is it with people calling kim kardashian a fashion icon?!?!? SIT DOWN!!!!

Justin Beiber annoys me. Not too bad on the drums though.

Usher is dancing like he scared to break something. I can’t. Limbs ain’t extending like they used to. Usher really never needs to dance solo under a spotlight... like for the rest of his career. Props for singing kinda live. He did a little better on OMG. The set was dope though… and his dancers turned it. It’s the best he’s looked in a while, but STILL not quite there for me.

Katy perry and Nicki Minaj on the stage together was a cluster*** Katy’s “stiff moonman” jab caught Nicki off guard at the end. Good stuff.

It is official, Kanye, made the Swift child’s career. I mean she really replayed the clip before her performance. I wish someone would help her get her stage presence together. My word… like watching paint dry. The only reason I kept watching is to see it was gonna be a Kanye collab. There was one ethereal moment where she was under the spotlight just walking barefoot that I loved, but overall the performance was a snooze.

So…. Where was Willow?!?!?!? She could have been up in one of those boxes before commercial. Just standing there and WHIPPING HAIR BACK AND FORTH.

Justin Timberlake just looks better with age. I swear… umm umm ummmm

Drake…. Is so not fancy. He just looks like a guy that’s trying too hard. BUT he had MJB and Swizzy as his hype people so… HE WINS

I like the chick from Paramore…. I’m sorry but I would have rather have heard Only Exception than the BoB song. I wanna like BoB but I am truly indifferent. [as soon as I wrote this, I got my wish and it was beautiful]

WERK CHER!!!!!! YOU BETTER WEAR YOUR TURN BACK TIME SUIT!!!!!! LOVE HER!!! I LIVEEEEEE!!!! [little history on my OBSESSION with cher… I used to watch Sonny and Cher on TV Land before I went to school in the morning when I was in middle school. I could mimic her mannerisms, voice, it all. I LOVE her. She taught me about GLAMOUR before I even had a sense of style.]

YESSSSSSSS GAGA…. Go in acapella. And the fact she received that award from Cher made me smile

Kanye’s tit being out was problematic for me. (throw away the deep v-neck!!!) but I love the suit and chains. Performance was good. Love Pusha T- YAY VA!! I hate that effing auto tune. Overall the performance was great.

Dare I say… the BET awards were better *scratches head* YAY BLACK PEOPLE!!! That is all.

My Life

Today, I spent a good part of the day watching Mary J. Blige’s various segments on her fragrance launch. I had to have watched at least 3 airings. I don’t even wear perfume and I wanted to buy a bottle (unfortunately, I can’t afford to buy things I don’t need at the moment, but I certainly would have if I could). I love Mary so. She was my first true music inspiration. I don’t remember exactly how old I was (I guess about 7 or 8ish) but I remember waiting all day to see the You Remind Me video come on Video Soul or Video Vibrations (as in old school BET). That song gave me a voice… literally. It was the first song I sang in front of people, and people were amazed that I could sing. I don’t sing in front of people often but that song holds a special place in my heart. I have PURCHASED every MJB album, no matter what. I’ve seen her in concert several times, I am a fan to my core. To see how far she has come was just so inspiring to me.

In case you forgot…

Sex and the City 2

It really pains me to write this, but the movie was boring. I love SATC and I really had no expectations about the movie because I think enough is enough. I don’t want to see a bunch of aging women running around the city in the same way they did in their 20s and 30s. The jig is up. But the movie even underwhelmed my lack of expectations.

Well before I really go in, let me say the fashion was SUPERB!!! I mean fabulous. Best dressed for me, hands down, was Miranda. She looked chic and ever age appropriate. That dress she wore to Stanford & Anthony’s wedding was DIVINE!!! People thought Carrie should have amped it up more but I loved her shifting more into a classy space with a streak of extravagance. (ie the purple skirt in the market, which I LOVED, and the moment at the end where she was strolling around her apartment in a chic dress/house-strolling garment.) Furthermore, she wasn’t best dressed in the last movie either- that award goes to Samantha.

Now that that’s out of the way, the movie. [again]. First of all, they spent too much time lollygagging and galavanting in Abu Dhabi. There was nothing particularly EXCITING going on over there. They were just on vacation. Oh the Aiden thing??!? Not major- at all. She could have kept that little kiss to herself. The one moment that stood out to me, and was hilarious might I add, was where Miranda and Charlotte were sitting at the bar drinking, talking about their family issues. I immediately thought (for the first and only time in the movie)- huh, that’s interesting. I found it so interesting because Miranda and Charlotte are notoriously on the other ends of the spectrum, all the time- which caused a number of big blow outs. There were very few scenes in the show, only one coming to mind- Miranda’s baby shower, where there were Miranda-Charlotte moments. I loved that this movie gave a Miranda-Charlotte moment.

The movie stayed on Stanford and Anthony’s wedding too long and that Liza Minnelli performance was just dreadful. o_0 … Ma’am… MA’AM.

The real problem I had with the movie is that it was totally void of stories. AND THERE WERE STORIES TO BE TOLD!!!!! They skipped over everything for that 1 ½ hour long trip. Let’s start with Carrie. Yes she and Big were having marriage blues, but I wanted one knockdown drag out fight that caused them to separate and then reconcile. Nope, just some disagreements. I did like the moment at the end where Big said “You never said vows to me” and she said something to the effect of “I wrote them but you never showed up.” Duh Big. Silly rabbit.

Then Miranda. She finally quits her job and we get NOTHING about that. I would have loved to see her glazing a bowl with Charlotte, ultimately deciding that was not the life for her and end up opening her firm after an exhaustive job search. Or maybe not opening the firm but I would have liked to see more of the search.

And since I’ve mentioned her, Charlotte and this fussy child. I thought they were going to make the child autistic and have Charlotte blame herself for having a child so late in life. But nope, she was just bad. They mentioned the braless nanny, but only showed Harry looking ONCE.

Finally, Samantha. There’s not a WHOLE lot you can do with Samantha other than give her cancer again but I really wouldn’t want to see that. The whole menopause thing was funny at times, but in general, it just reminded me that they are getting old. Its not the same Sex and the City I waited for every Sunday or watched while eating an elaborate feast with my much older friends. This is not that story at all. I hope they are smart enough to realize that story is long gone and it may be time to leave the girls in our box sets or late night TBS reruns. I’m very sad to report, I think it is over for them.

I'M BACK...

I've been MIA for a minute... but some great music has touched down... hope you have been enjoying it too!!! Enjoy the posts!!!

PS. A couple other albums definitely worth picking up but I won't be "reviewing":

• NAS & Damian Marley: Distant Relatives... It's great music. As conscious and relevant as we all hoped it would be! (I'm not reviewing it b/c I really suck at talking about hip hop. LOL- I know my limits.)
  
• PJ Morton: Walk Alone... its a neo-soul/ gospel fusion. Really dope... I Need Your Love is my FAVORITE.... been playing it a couple times a day since I first played the album. Love You More with Tweet is also a favorite.
  

Janelle Monae- ArchAndroid

Just from the overture starting the album, you get the feeling something magical is getting ready to happen and she did not disappoint

Dance or die was like a perfect storm… all the elements blend to really bring the song to life… the musical changes and the changes in her tone of her rapping/ talking. It blends seamlessly into Faster… I didn’t even know it was a different song until she started singing… only then that I thought to check my iTunes… I love when artists make albums!!!! (as opposed to producing a collection of singles)

Locked inside felt like a Michael Jackson song…. Not one in particular, just that same electric energy

Cold War is the story of my life… Lyrically, outstanding.

Of COURSE…. I have been all about Tightrope since day 1. The distinctive retro feeling to it is perfection… AND THE VIDEO… love.

Come Alive gave a rock star moment. I liked it… but I hate high pitched noises, so the scream at the end was a bit much for me… The album seemed to change pace at this point and went more into “out there” Janelle Monae… I feel like the beginning was for those who need to be eased in. LOL

Sooo… All of a sudden I’m listening and she’s on autotune… and I’m thinking… Oh no!!! why?!?!? But then, I realize the song is called Mushrooms and Roses… appropriate. The song made me feel like I was high. LOL… it was fun but weird…. Which is one of the reasons I adore Janelle Monae. Mushrooms and Roses lured me into the tunnel and Neon Valley Street kept me in this random fantasy land.

Make the Bus is one of my favorite songs. I get attached to the way artists sing certain things and it can make me want to listen to something over and over… My line is “The way you are now…” She just caught my attention…

I swear Wondaland makes me want to skip down the street. LOL.

57821 is like the book end to Mushrooms and Roses… Its closes out the fantasy land and sends you back to reality. This section of the album made me feel like Alice and Wonderland… Like I fell down a rabbit hole into some parallel universe.

And we’re back… Say You’ll Go is just a regular dope song. Her vocals are on full display… it was comparatively simple.

BaBopBye Ya is amazing… It takes you on a musical journey… If felt more like a movie score than a song. There are no words for this song… you really just have to hear it.

This album is the best music I have heard in a REALLY long time. It is innovative, complex, retro & futuristic… perfect. And her voice is what I believe really makes it to come to life- most artists’ voices would be totally overpowered by so much going on. But her voice is so clear it pierces through the complexity. This album is a game changer.

Toni Braxton: Pulse

Starts of with Yesterday… old Toni. Love.

I LOVE Make My Heart!! It makes me want to dance!!

Hands Tied is so sexy… should be from the title right?!?!?

I want to like Woman but to be frank I’m kind of over these proclamations of womanhood. I’m all for women being strong but we can portray that with the chorus saying “I’m a woman”

If I Have to Wait borders on country… it was surprising but I love all music so I like it.

I liked Lookin at Me when the beat dropped but the lyrics were a bit immature for Toni. Maam, you’re gorgeous but you’re getting up there. No Maam. But it still makes my head nod so I’ll pretend it’s someone else when it shows up on my shuffle.

Hero is strong

No Way gave me a moment of Let If Flow… one of my favorite Toni Braxton songs. This is so classic Toni Braxton as were Pulse and Why Won’t You Love Me. LOVE.

Overall, I liked it, good music.

Side note…. I’m sure some will disagree but I think Chrisette Michele is the new school Toni Braxton. If you listen to Epiphany some of the songs gave the same tone (as I noted in my review. LOL). Woman sounds like Porcelain Doll, only not as clever. It even had the same balance of vocally strong ballads, pop-ish beats for a wide appeal (Wardrobe vs. Playing Our Song), and a little hip hop to keep it interesting. Listen to Epiphany right after Pulse and see if you can’t hear it too!!

Vivian Green: Beautiful

First things first… WTH does she have on in this cover?!?! I shoulda known what the album was gonna sound like from the hair and fit. Ok…

Let me preface this by saying I was IN LOVE with her first album (I still listen to it to this day), barely in like with the second one so I have hopes but no expectations.

Liked the concept of Beautiful but it sounded like 2 different songs… she started in the first person, went to third, back to first.

I like When We’re Apart

She reminds me a little of Monica in that she is capable of making good music but sometimes falls victim to trend (although Monica redeemed herself with her most recent album). Vivian Green has a voice so perfectly fit for neo-soul/ that classic R& B sound. Her ballads are incredible. But in songs like I Know How… she has this up-tempo beat that absolutely doesn’t fit her voice or vibe. I would have loved the song but for that hip hop-esque beat in the background. She could have dropped it out and the song would have been PERFECT. Same for Search is Over and So Far Gone.

I HATE SKITS…interludes… all of them. Have I ever mentioned that? You should be able to tell the story through your music. (except maybe Kanye- he makes fun ones. LOL). The Better Man skit was soooooooooooooooo unnecessary.

Better Man could grow on me. Right now I’m on the fence with it. Never mind… rapping. I’ll pass.

Save me belonged on a different beat…. This reggae beat is so dope, should have been a song with sexy lyrics.

I like Too Intense… It’s giving me my much needed Danity Kane feel-good moment. Don’t judge me. I also hate when kids jump on tracks, but I’ll forgive it because I like the song.

I like Somewhere also, this is the space where she is most successful…. Her upper register is definitely not her strong suit… It’s annoying because it’s more like screeching than anything.

Caught Up is good. This is reminiscent of the first album. Why did it take 11 tracks to get here. Whoever this Lauren Tolez chick is singing with her sings her face off!! I love.

Jordan’s song is lovely.

The album felt long… not good since it was really only 13 tracks. I was over it by Track 8. It wasn’t a bad album, it just changed direction too many times. Welp… guess I’m back to A Love Story (first album).

Erykah Badu: New Amerykah Part Two- Return of the Anhk

20 feet tall was a song that speaks to the soul… I think we have all been there! Destroying walls, realizing your strength.

Ok… Window Seat is… Window Seat. I love this song so much… the vibe, her voice, its so classically Badu I can’t stand it. PERFECTION

[owwwww] Agitation is musically so SICK. Wow...

Gone Baby, Don’t Be Long sounds like a follow up to the Otherside of the Game (“I know you have to get your hustle on…”)

Loving me was one of those Badu-esque moments on an album when ur like wha?!?!? But then you realize it’s an interlude (like the first time you heard Afro on Baduizm)

Fall in Love is a rip from Eddie Kendricks' 1977 song "Intimate Friends” (which I actually remembered from Alicia Keys Unbreakable and had to google the original… don’t judge me.) It’s the song I find myself humming all the time… Maybe its just my sinister side… “slow singing, flower bring if your burglar alarm starts ringing…”

Incense is the song that was playing on the website when I was up at 3:32 AM waiting for window seat to premiere (ONLY for Badu… I love her so)

Out Of Mind, Just In Time is just giving me Green Eyes all over again… one of my favorite Badu songs/ stories. I have woken up many a morning needing to hear this song before I could start my day.

Overall, this album is more classic Badu than Part One. I heard her say on the radio she wrote both at the same time and Part Two is the feminine side and Part One the masculine. I took the time to listen to both together and I get it, but I’m feminine so I like Part Two better. This album is like all of her previous albums combined. It’s no Mama’s Gun (my favorite) but I love it and have been playing it regularly since it’s release.

Janelle Monae: Tight Rope Video

I adore this chick!!! I love her style, her voice... she is EVERYTHING!!! This video made me smile endlessly. SN: she really does tightrope walk. Can't wait for the album... MAY 18TH!!! (gotta find some saddle shoes to rock in her honor... and maybe I'll do my hair like hers too.... ya'll know I will!!!)

Monica: Still Standing

I’m having another Corinne Bailey Rae moment…. Don’t know what to say other than I love it. REAL R&B IS BACK PEOPLE!!!

“Still Standing” is such an anthem!! I just get in such a zone when its on

“One In A Lifetime” is perfection….

I like “Stay or Go” with it’s hip hop undertones… that’s as much hip hop on a Monica album (no more rapping Mo.)

“Everything To Me” reminds me of her cover of “Misty Blue” on The Boy Is Me… her voice is so classic that she slips so easily into old school R&B

I liked “If You Were My Man” but it seemed a bit misplaced, like it should have been on a different album. The album did change pace a bit at the point... more electronic sounds. So it served its purpose

“Mirror”, “Here I Am” and “Believing in Me” were solid

“Superman” & “Love Over Me” were so beautifully sexy.

One thing about Monica is she will make a short album, get her point across and sit down somewhere. I LOVE THAT!!! It was 10 songs, short and to the point. Great Album.

Sponsor at Tiffany's

I heard Teairra Mari's sponsor a little while ago (and the video released a couple weeks ago). Immediately, I was struck by the song's candor. All the normals, even the most self sufficient among us, have dreamed about being taken care of, be it by a sponsor, a spouse or a trust fund. Let's face it, it would be nice to be able to lollygag and galavant without a care in the world.

One of my favorite movies is Breakfast at Tiffany's where a "kept" man and woman fall in love with each other, seemingly a bad life choice since they are both broke on their own. But it was glamorous... Holly (Audrey Hepburn) in her fab black dresses, extravagent accessories having parties in her quaint apartment for no other purpose than to find a new sponsor. Not to mention her stealing money from men, under the guise of "needing money for the powder room" and at $50 a pop. Paul, a well dressed struggling writer being sponsored by his married "interior designer" who left his money on the table.





For me the biggest draw to old movies is innuendo. I know that at the end of the day they were both tramps, much like what is condoned in modern music, but they did it with such elegance. There were no moments where you see naked people rolling around, or cheap talk of what they could get from their sponsor. It was all done very subtly. Maybe I'm just a shrew, but I think there are some things that should be left to the imagination. I also think there are some things a lady should not say, even if the lady does the things she doesn't say ;-)

Raheem DeVaughn: The Love & War Masterpiece

Album cover is quite cool and delish. I like :D

Opens with Cornel West, this can’t be bad. I hope.

I loved the consciousness that is Bulletproof. I’m feeling very male Badu with this one.

Not crazy about Greatness. It’s a good song in theory. Beneath all the superficial there’s greatness, but it comes across kind of simple. But I do love Wale. Hi Virgo!

I Don’t Care is a feel good track. I have other issues with people saying “hate,” “haters,” etc. every other line. However, I like the vibe so I’ll let it ride.

Black & Blue deals with domestic violence a bit. Can’t be mad with addressing the issue.

Mr. Right is young and makes me smile. This seems like this is his comfort zone. I like this love song space for him.

Of course we know he can do a slow song. I want to like Fragile but it’s really just ok.

Hit his stride around track 10. B.O.B. is comically true. Now this is different. Bob is a vibrator. Bob stands for Battery Operated Boyfriend. Little reminder that a man is different from a vibrator. LOL. I could have done without the random shout outs to all the songs Bob can’t play, but I like the song. Bedroom, Microphone, and Garden of Love are very sexy without being vulgar.

Love the Nobody Wins a War with its neo-soul all-star cast. It could have been the new we are the world. LOL

Revelations 2010 w/ Damian Marley was cool. One of my fav Jay-Z songs in the background… Can I Live (yes I know that too was a sample but he says Can I Live over and over again so…)

When I looked at the track list and saw 16 tracks I thought this can’t be good. I personally think 12 tracks is plenty… but he had 2 interludes and an Intro so it was only 13 tracks. I’m not a big fan of interludes. I think Cornel West was enough just once at the beginning, even though some of the things he was saying were hella deep. It didn’t feel long or boring so that’s definitely a good thing.

The album left me wanting more lyrically, especially My Wife. Some of the album just seemed a bit elementary even though he was talking about adult topics such as marriage and domestic violence.

His lyrics and music don’t always match so well. That’s the only thing that bothers me about Raheem DeVaughn. When you listen to it you will understand, particularly on Black & Blue. Another slight annoyance is his songs don’t always sound like songs. Sometimes they sound like poetry, which doesn’t always translate. Sometimes it just felt like he was just talking.

Again, I have to give credit for carrying out a concept- lots of love songs, some consciousness to deal with the war side. I get it. Still, the album lacked a bit of the cohesiveness I like. I could definitely see it growing on me, the second time I listened to it I liked it way more than the first. It’s worth a listen. Support REAL music!!!

V.V. Brown: Travelling Like Light

So I’ve decided Kelis + Janelle Monae + Amy Winehouse = VV Brown… there really isn’t much more to say. Here are a few specifics…

Quick Fix gave me a Pink vibe

Game Over was a rebellious song with an alternative/hip-hop sound and free spirit

Shark In the Water sounded Amy Winehouse-ish, both lyrically and vocally (which is not a bad thing- I like Amy when she’s not on crack. LOL)

Her vibe put Janelle Monae to mind, especially Leave!, Bottles, Crying Blood, however, I think vocally Janelle Monae is so much stronger. Even the album cover is Monae-esque

I did really like I Love You and Traveling Like Light

It wasn’t particularly innovative. I feel like I’d heard all the songs before or they could have been on other albums I own. It’s ok.

My Stupid Mouth

Yes John Mayer, “[your] stupid mouth has [gotten you] in trouble”- again. “Another social casualty,” this time with a particularly unforgiving crowd- black women. Here’s the interview in pertinent part:

“PLAYBOY: If you didn’t know you, would you think you’re a douche bag?

MAYER: It depends on what I picked up. My two biggest hits are “Your Body Is a Wonderland” and “Daughters.” If you think those songs are pandering, then you’ll think I’m a douche bag. It’s like I come on very strong. I am a very…I’m just very. V-E-R-Y. And if you can’t handle very, then I’m a douche bag. But I think the world needs a little very. That’s why black people love me.

PLAYBOY: Because you’re very?

MAYER: Someone asked me the other day, “What does it feel like now to have a hood pass?” And by the way, it’s sort of a contradiction in terms, because if you really had a hood pass, you could call it a nigger pass. Why are you pulling a punch and calling it a hood pass if you really have a hood pass? But I said, “I can’t really have a hood pass. I’ve never walked into a restaurant, asked for a table and been told, ‘We’re full.’"

PLAYBOY: It is true; a lot of rappers love you. You recorded with Common and Kanye West, played live with Jay-Z.

MAYER: What is being black? It’s making the most of your life, not taking a single moment for granted. Taking something that’s seen as a struggle and making it work for you, or you’ll die inside. Not to say that my struggle is like the collective struggle of black America. But maybe my struggle is similar to one black dude’s.

PLAYBOY: Do black women throw themselves at you?

MAYER: I don’t think I open myself to it. My dick is sort of like a white supremacist. I’ve got a Benetton heart and a fuckin’ David Duke cock. I’m going to start dating separately from my dick.

PLAYBOY: Let’s put some names out there. Let’s get specific.

MAYER: I always thought Holly Robinson Peete was gorgeous. Every white dude loved Hilary from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. And Kerry Washington. She’s superhot, and she’s also white-girl crazy. Kerry Washington would break your heart like a white girl. Just all of a sudden she’d be like, “Yeah, I sucked his dick. Whatever.” And you’d be like, “What? We weren’t talking about that.” That’s what “Heartbreak Warfare” is all about, when a girl uses jealousy as a tactic.”

What killed me is not the “white supremacist” comment- I’ll get to that in a second. Rather, his first mention of black people was completely arbitrary and came from nowhere. The interviewer had to clarify where black people even came into the mix. He could have given that interview without mentioning black people at all and it would have been typical John Mayer antics. But once his foot was already in his mouth, the interviewer just kept feeding him questions to set the rest up. I thought he cleaned up the N-word quite nicely. It was inappropriate but I understood where he was going.

As for the “white supremacist” it is clear he has a preference for “All-American” white girls. Jennifer Anniston is as blue blooded as they come. Most of us have a preference and there’s nothing wrong with that. The word choice was just so poor. Some things just should not be said, not even in jest. The “Benetton Heart” clean up attempt failed miserably. Why he couldn’t just say I have a Benetton Heart but prefer white women or have never dated a black woman is beyond me. Undoubtedly, he has crossed the line, but then again, the cleverness in his wordplay is what makes him so appealing as an artist.

I read the entire article (and encourage you to do the same before you make a judgment) and found this little tidbit at the end an accurate summary, and frankly, understandable:

“PLAYBOY: You said you were just exiting the phase of your life when relationships make you feel guilty. What’s the next phase?

MAYER: People are lining up around the block right now to watch me play music tonight. If some kid called me a douche bag on his terrible blog, I don’t really care. I’m letting myself out of my own prison. I’m not going to be a prisoner to a warden I can’t see. From now on I’m just going to pretend that people really dig the shit out of me. I’ve been so afraid of rocking the boat that I’m not sailing anywhere. I’ve been trying to prove to people I’m not a douche bag by not dating, by keeping my name out of Us Weekly. That’s fucked up, man. I’m not dating. I’m not even fucking. So now I’m going to experiment with “fuck you.” In 2010 my goal is to get more mentions in Us Weekly than ever.”

The whole article just led me to believe his self assessment in “Rolling Stone” was correct. He's slightly crazy, and likes the sound of his own voice. People like him don’t think before they speak and end up saying really ignorant things and alienating a lot of people. So unfortunate.


Shortly after my post, John Mayer posted this on twitter:

Re: using the 'N word' in an interview: I am sorry that I used the word. And it's such a shame that I did because the point I was trying

to make was in the exact opposite spirit of the word itself. It was arrogant of me to think I could intellectualize using it

because I realize that there's no intellectualizing a word that is so emotionally charged.

And while I'm using today for looking at myself under harsh light, I think it's time to stop trying to be so raw in interviews...

It started as an attempt to not let the waves of criticism get to me, but it's gotten out of hand and I've created somewhat of a monster.

And a singer. And a songwriter. Not a shock jock. I don't have the stomach for it.

I wanted to be a blues guitar player. And a singer. And a songwriter. Not a shock jock. I don't have the stomach for it

Any thoughts?

NEW BADU!!!!! Window seat

Love this new Badu.... reminds me of Mama's Gun/ Baduizm. I'm glad she's going back in that direction because as much as I love Badu, I did not care for New Am-erykah. Take a listen...

http://usershare.net/2DopeBoyz/yt113op5wm3v

new album comes out March 5th. here's the link to the MTV article...

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1630948/20100201/badu_erykah.jhtml

Corinne Bailey Rae: The Sea

Its so much easier to review a bad album than a good one. Only so many ways you can say great, perfect. No humor in that. But here’s my attempt at reviewing an album I absolutely love:

The album cover is gorgeous. I love her hair longer. She's still wearing her wedding ring.

I’d Do It All Again is perfection. I love this song.

Feels Like the First Time just feels good. It’s celebratory and is one of those songs that will make you smile. The playful music and lyrics match so perfectly. -

I love her soft voice up against more edgy beats like in The Blackest Lily. It’s beautifully complex. Same for Paris Nights/ New York Mornings.

Closer? WHAT?!?!? This is just sick!!! So sexy. More R&B than the last album. Diving for Hearts had a R&B sound too, but mixed with some rock elements… love genre blending

Love’s On The Way was something of let down after closer… didn’t get good until the end of the song.

I’d Like to Call It Beauty is typical Corinne. Soft and lovely.

Paper Dolls has a 60s British Invasion sound. Pretty much love that too.

This album was the perfect sophomore album. I was a bit nervous because I was not sure how her husband's passing was going to effect her music. I didn't know if she was gonna go all the way to the dark side or if the whole album was going to have me in tears. She has clearly evolved as an artist but has not abandoned her core sound. Lyrically, the album was beautiful. She experimented with different sounds and tempos so the album was not boring or just a re-do of the last one. I’m in love.

Grammy Commentary/Wrap Up

Yes Gaga opening the show!!!! You betta sing bish before you give antics!!! Gaga & Elton John. Was right on so many levels. The bish even gives crazy when she's playing the piano. I’m such a sucker for antics

Jay throwing shade at Colbert was perfection.

Jennifer Lopez’s face was pretty but the dress gave me nothing

Kinda liked Taylor Swift's dress.... too bad she has no body. AND no personality but that’s beside the point

Beyonce.... clothes are back!!!! YAY!!!!! “If I Were A Boy” is one of my least fav Beyonce songs but yes for a crotch grab!! I want a Beyonce fan to follow me... especially when my hair is blown out. Alanis Morisette & California Love? In the middle of the song. Hmmmm.

Pink is such a guilty pleasure. Bish sings down… and now I get the mesh…. Body suit for cirque performance while still singing. She coulda been Gaga if she had pushed the envelope a little more when she first came out, done more performance antics and less silly antics. Dope as the performance was, I felt dirty looking at pink's fit!!!

I still don’t get Black Eyed Peas.... I’m sorry I just don’t. Fergie looked like she had on Beyonce fit from get me bodied.

This middle Jonas Child is giving Johnny Depp. I like it

Comedy album?!!?!? I didn’t get see Maxwell get his award b/c of a damn COMEDY GRAMMY?!?!?!

Was bored earlier than normal this year

I love Norah Jones... hated the hair.

I try not to, but I love Blame It. LOL... or I did last summer (shade and sideye). That performance was extraness at its finest

Is this the Justin Beiber child people love so much?!??! And Kesha looks like a drag queen next to this child

Oh the Swift child. Performance was awful. and I like [some] country. oh no maam... and where was the wardrobe?!?!? no maam again

Liked all the artists in the MJ tribute… individually, but it was an odd mix… Celine dion, usher, usher, smokey, carrie underwood, j hud (sometimes).

Ole money grubbing family. Mike would never want his kids on stage, but they are lovely children… how did Tito’s kids make it on the state!?!?!?! I can’t. That was a waste… I still can’t understand a MJ tribute with no dancing. Moving along

Jay- run this town… Julez- no thanks. Highlight of the night. LOL… Jay so wants kids. Come on bey…

Mary looks good. She was nervous about that note though. Hands were just a shaking

Dave Matthew dancing was tragic

Ricky Martin?!?!? Lemme Feel the Heat?!?!?

Adele sings down. A rare Bey & Jay public embrace... they looked like homies though. Then she said she loves him in public. Jay looked so startled but I love them so so much.

Maxwell didn’t sound as good as he normally does, but I still love the song. It always cracks me up when he says pretty wangs. LOL. And Roberta flack looks a bit dazed. That was lovely though… BLACK PEOPLE!!!!

Quentin tarantino did so much!!!! um wow.... my delay muted the whole Eminem, Drake & Wayne performance. Wayne is married to this rock star thing, huh? Hmmmm…

On que, bey laughs when the camera was on her. Can’t believe the Swift child won… beat GAGA and didn’t even thank Kanye. SMH.

All in all the show wasn’t very good. The performances were mediocre and the performance arrangement was off. I’ve seen better…

Melanie Fiona: The Bridge

Ok so I'm a bit late on this one. I was a bit unsure to be honest but I listened to the bestie, bought it on Amazon MP3 for $5 and here's what I thought....

Most the songs have an old school Motown feel, or at minimum an nod to that era. I LOVE IT!!! The sound is most prevalent in Please Don't Go, Monday Morning, and You Stop My Heart. There is something for everyone although there is a clear overriding sound. It was cohesive in that it progressed from something more pop sounding into the motown sound and then into more edge.

Her voice kind of reminds me of Kelis (who I love), especially in Teach Him and Bang Bang actually sounds like a Kelis song mixed with Chain of Fools (maybe its just the bang bang baaaaaang part)

I like Ay Yo & Walk On By... still has that old school feel in the background but is still current in its hip hop overtones, although her saying "uh" on the end of every line of Walk on By is rather annoying

It Kills Me had to grow on me... I got plenty of chances for it to do so since it's played every 22.645454 seconds on the radio

Johnny reminds me of Solange's Tony.

I like that this album stands out against the musical landscape. It mixed a lot of different sounds with her versatile voice to come up with something funky, current but nostalgic. While a lot of artists take the same angle, she came up with something that I've not heard before. I like it... it's refreshing.