My mojo so dope/Bitch.

And on the day of my birthday a superb album dropped. None other than the Kid Cudder's second official studio sounds. I awaited to purchase, just in case someone was being thoughtful and gifted it to me. And what a surprise! My cousin, Jen, did! Unknowing that it dropped that day and only knowing that I love me some Cudi, she splurged on the deluxe edition. Happy as a clam, this pic says a thousand Cudi-words...



Giving Big Boi & Mayer Hawthorne a rest - Mr. Rager is currently in constant play...

Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

This Mayer has my vote!

For the past 2 weeks, I've been the busiest I've been in a long time. Exhaustedly busy (and it doesn't help that I've cut back on my coffee intake quite a bit)... So I'll go back to the weekend before my birthday, November 6 & 7.

November 6th - DJ Haircut at HG Lodge. Y'all don't know who DJ Haircut is? That's the splendid crooner, Mayer Hawthorne, in disc jockey form. And just as smooth his tunes & voice are, so goes his DJ set. I was out with my crew on this wonderful eve of Daylight Savings time and as half of my peeps retreated to my car, the other half (including me) stayed and enjoyed every minute of DJ Haircut's 2 1/2 hour set. Pretty tipsy thanks to my bestie, we Dougied and swayed back and forth on the wide-step stairs. Now I haven't swooned over a DJ's skills since Donald Glaude, but DJ Haircut has swiftly taken that cake...



November 7th - My bestest in the westest took me out to a pre-bday dinner & concert. Dinner at Cheesecake Factory - lovely. Show with Mayer Hawthorne & The County - lovelier. His opener was this upbeat, time-travelled from the 80's, Prince & The Revolution type of funk, performer by the name of Gordon Voidwell. I was movin' & groovin'. Y'all have got to get hip...

After Mr. Voidwell performed, shortly came out the Mayer and his County. I was in extreme delight. One of the best shows I've ever been to in my concert-attending life. He sang, he danced... the audience sang and danced. I was tinged for an entire week after his show. I couldn't get it out of my system. Especially after they left the stage and the audience went no where. Swiftly chanting his name, he came back out to do 3 more songs. One of which was my favorite, Strange Arrangement. It got me so sincere, even a big-haired, black lesbian noticed my clear eyes. (Ahaha! Inside joke, you had to have been there...) There are a handful of artists that I will not miss performing live and Mayer Hawthorne has quickly taken a spot in my hand.


Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Pick your next move/You can leave or live with it...

It just wouldn't be Kanye if he couldn't create an extravaganza out of his music... And even though we may not understand half the shit he's portraying in this film, it's visually pleasing and you get to hear a mixture of some of his new music. And just a quick sidenote: you'll need a little over 30 minutes for this one... Enjoy.



Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

deCYPHER this...

I no longer watch BET so obviously I didn't watch this year's BET awards. But for the past couple days, I haven't stopped hearing the buzz behind this year's BET Awards cyphers. What's a cypher you ask? 3-5 minute freestyle skits displaying the impeccable flows of some of Hip Hops greatest, and some underrated, artists. And this is the kinda shit that makes me stay in love with Hip Hop. The veterans can't be touched and the new kids are well on their way.

Wiz Khalifa | Bones Brigante | Yelawolf | Raekwon


OMG | Doughboy | Ice Cube | Diggy | JoJo | Rev Run


Pusha T | Big Sean | Cyhi Da Prynce | Common | Kanye West


Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Kid Cudi | Man On The Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager

I *heart* Twitter... Some folks may think nothing but status updates are fairly uneventful but not if you're following those that have more of a fan base than you ever will. Following music celebs makes Twitter ever so gratifying because you hear news about upcoming concerts, videos & album releases. And this morning, thanks to the wonderful Maxwell, I now know that not only is November 9, 2010 a significant date in my life (being my 31st bday and all...) it's also the date that Kid Cudi releases his 2nd studio album - Man On The Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager. And I'd want nothing more for my bday this year =) Even if no one reads this post, I'm not hard up, it'll be a bday gift to myself. Happy mu'fuckin' birthday to me!



Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Greetings Earthlings/I’ve been lurking deep in the shadows/Gathering artillery for the battle...

A couple weeks ago, the same day we were supposed to go get our Big Boi tickets, my sister/concert buddy unfortunately lost her job. I then thought all extracurricular spending would have to be put on hold and it was unavoidably decided that we'd no longer go see Big Boi. Last week, as my cousin was hyping up for Big Boi's concert in Vegas, the thought of missing the opportunity to see Big Boi live in my city kept on in my head. A die-hard Outkast fan and a definite fan of Big Boi and Andre 3000 as individual artists, I never had the opportunity to see Outkast perform live and I also thought, "I CAN'T miss Big Boi... WE can't miss Big Boi!" So this past Thursday I decided to surprise my sister. I gathered up a bit of funds and took my happy butt down to the Showbox SoDo box office, heart just a'pounding when I asked, "Can I have 2 tickets to the Big Boi show please?". Tickets in hand, got in my car, did a little yelp and quickly took a pic of the tickets to send to my cousin in Vegas. Valerie so happened to stop by our sister's house after hot yoga so I excitedly dropped the envelope with the tickets in front of her and I said, "We can't miss this!"Overwhelmed and struck with glee, the smile on her face made me feel great! And we gon' feel even greater on Saturday, October 23rd ;)



Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Willow Smith | Whip My Hair

Big deal she's only 9 years old... She obviously has the sweltering talent of song. And even though I'm sure through studio wonderment they made her sound a teensie bit older than she really does, it doesn't take away from the fact that this song makes you wanna whip your hair. Don't front, you know it does ;)



Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

She'll love books/And cook/And look/Just like you...

When asked what two music artists, 1 female & 1 male, I'd like to meet in this lifetime, my answer was long standing with Jill Scott & Andre 3000. Most recently I strongly considered changing my choice of female to Janelle Monae, however, my choice of male remains. I've always appreciated Andre 3000's lyricism and humbleness and deemed to one day be privileged to 'pick his brain'. With an obvious taste for a lovely woman, his songs that pray tell towards the sweeter sex almost always play out like a courtship.

Welcome back Andre 3000...



Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Mashin' just ain't for potatoes...

My endless musical expansion in Vegas hit me up today to listen to her boo's mash-up. At first I thought, "WTF is a mash-up?!" LoL! I clicked on the link and it took me to a site where you can take two YouTube videos and have them play simultaneously, adding your own VJ name to it too if you'd like. My next thought, "What a clever site..." Then my Vegas fam decides she wants to create a few mash-ups herself. This intrigued me. My first mash-up was of Lil Wayne ft Kanye - Lollipop Remix acapella VS Amanda Blank - Might Like You Better instrumental. I thought it was funny. Then my 2nd mash-up... I thought I did a good job with my 2nd one. And my cousin thought so too. Stating that it's infectious, played it throughout her work day and insisted that I post it on my Facebook. So I did and I thought I'd share it on my music blog as well. I don't think it's anything terribly spectacular but it's something I created with the help of other's music and YouTube of course. So enjoy and feel free to love it or hate it ('cause you know I don't give a shit ;P), as long as you're listening...

My 2nd mash'up: Luda, LL & Keith Murray - Fatty Girl acapella VS Spank Rock - Loose instrumental

And after posting the above I went back on the site and created another mash-up that I'm pretty pleased with... The Roots ft Chrisette Michele & Wale - Rising Up acapella VS N*E*R*D - Truth Or Dare instrumental.

I think I'm having too much fun with this website...

Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Now party people in Seattle/It's time to cut a rug...

The other day, I felt a mere tinge of jealousy when my cousin in Vegas forwarded an email displaying that Big Boi is gracing Vegas with his presence next month. Today, I get a concert alert from Showbox. I can't even describe how unbelievably overwhelmed and fluttered I got when I saw: "BIG BOI 10/23, Showbox SoDo". I immediately wanted to shutterbugg. His CD is one that I've been constantly playing since it dropped, causing me to barely remember the last CD I was evidently enamored by. And feeling this way about his CD, I dare not miss the chance to see him live! This is gonna be a good one folks! So don't be lame and get triple OG status with me at Showbox SoDo on Oct. 23rd...

Buy your Big Boi tix starting Aug. 28 @ 10am!

Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Kanye West | Power

A snippet of Kanye's latest video, Power, was unleashed today. And as Kanye has always been creative with his videos, I wonder if this could likely be his most creative one yet? 'Portrait of an artist as a rapper' - Kanye indicated that "It's not a video .. It's a moving Painting!!!" via Twitter and indeed that's what it looks like. Almost reminiscent of those moving paintings you can buy at those outlet mall kiosks or Asian gift stores... I'm just saying and I'm not saying it as a bad thing. But I can't help but think that Mr. West is pulling a 'Flashing Lights' on us and that's it! LoL! Even though all of that's it was potentially spectacular, sometimes we'd like to see the whole thing. But I guess that's promo for ya, keeping us fans on our toes...

Wall Street Journal blog with Kanye West's Power snippet...

Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Janelle Monae | Cold War

Oh Ms. Monae... Your evident emotion with this song has moved me.

Click to watch: Cold War

Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Unthinkable indeed...

In opposition of my previous post, we are now faced with a beautiful bride beside a grotesque groom... And once again y'all know you're thinking the same thing I am. How did a most admirable Alicia Keys ever hook up with a less-than-stellar, all-his-beats-sound-the-same, lame Swizz Beatz?! Well, in this instance my guess would be working together. If you haven't noticed the endless trend of actors marrying actresses and musicians marrying musicians - basically celebrity marries celebrity - you've probably been living under a rock... at the bottom of the sea.
Although I will give it to Swizz for solidifying the union and making Ms. Keys his wife and not just another baby mama. And this union doesn't gross me out as much as seeing T.I. & Tiny together but none-the-less, might as well hope that that lovely babe comes out lookin' more like Alicia Keys than Swizz Cheezy. I'm just sayin'...

People.com article - Alicia Keys & Swizz Beatz marry...

Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

So T.I. never really wanted that new new and has finally settled for that old old & ugly ugly...

I'm just sayin'... You all know y'all thinkin' just like me, wondering why fine ass T.I. is with butt ugly Tiny. And well, not being able to talk to him and ask him as I don't know him personally, the only reasonable answer I can come up with is a hood ni99a is always gon' want a hood chick - no matter what he or she looks like. Anyway... yes, they got hitched twice over the weekend. And well, let's hope it stops at that and they don't have anymore kids 'cause you know the 2 kids they have together are ugly too. Lookin' just like Tiny's sideways face. Yeah I said it. And again, you all know y'all thinkin' just like me...

Yahoo blog - T.I. & Tiny wed...

Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Converse: 3 artists 1 song - Kid Cudi ft Bethany Cosentino & Rostam Batmanglij | All Summer

I've had an on-again/off-again love affair with Converse since my first pair of Chuck Taylor All Stars when I was a young teenager. The classic canvas black & white low-tops purchased (after a short begging session with my mom) at our town's local "everything" store, Chubby & Tubby. Where you could buy everything from shoes to Christmas trees to bait and tackle. Needless to say after countless years of business Rainier Avenue's Chubby & Tubby is gone and being replaced by, probably, one of those trendy mixed-use buildings. The past few years seemed to have been dedicated to countless efforts and attempts to creating Seattle's Southend neighborhood (AKA ghetto) into a fancy Southend suburbia, bringing the willful city moneymakers in to make the neighborhood look a bit more... ornamental?! Although failing to realize that you can make it as nice and as unrecognizable to it's residents and former residents as you want - the block will always be hot.
Anyhoo, back to the subject at hand... There's no surprise that Converse made another '3 artists 1 song' collab after last year's quick favorite My Drive Thru with Pharrell, Santigold & Julian Casablancas. So naturally I love that they enlisted Kid Cudi as 1 of the 3 artists for this year's musical marketing strategy... Converse sure knows how to sell (even more of) their brand - for I see another pair of black & white low-top canvas Chucks in my near future ;)



Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Big Boi | Sir Lucious Left Foot... The Son of Chico Dusty

I don't know what you know but what I know is something like Sir Lucious Left Foot hittin' us with his greatness as the offspring of Chico Dusty. Big Boi's rapturing funk is spilled throughout the entire album. As a matter of fact, it's so funky Big Boi put his left AND right foot in it ;)
I'm sure all my fellow Outkast fans have already copped this one and even though it may never be the same without his signature sidekick, Big Boi isn't disappointing us one bit as we're clearly not suffering while we get our FatSax-fix sans Andre 3000. So kick back in y'alls cameros, cutlesses, camries & caddies and enjoy this one folks. BOI STOP!


Purchase Sir Lucious Left Foot... The Son of Chico Dusty on iTunes




Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Well if ya/Lookin' for me I'm probably in Metropolis...

Oh whaaat?! Did B.o.B. & Lupe just outshine Ms. Monae in this wondamix?! My opinion humbly thinks so!
B.o.B. - "But I'm a different planet so excuse my astrology - Balanced and symmetrical I guess I'm just geometry..."
Lupe - "Greetings, welcome to the meeting of the minds/That be thinking all the time 'bout defeating all the blind - Shouting, down at Babylonian accounting/Medieval mathematics keep us average in amounting..."
Although I say outshine loosely and in a good way as they're definitely not overshadowing Ms. Monae, so don't twist it. Ms. Monae is clearly still shinin'... ;)

This video just made my day.



Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Kid Cudi ft Chip Tha Ripper | All Talk

Much gratitude to my always available & complimentive fellow music source in Vegas. (Waddup Jeannie!!! LoL!). She emailed me with the lyrics to this chorus and since we were (once again) discussing our Drake Hate, I ignorantly assumed that she was quoting a Drake song. So I immediately felt discombobulated when she told me it was Cudi. And even more hung-up that I hadn't already heard this song. I guess I've been trying to sleep regularly ;) But you gotta love the Santigold-type beats rushing in right after the chorus... This shit right here ni99a! Ahaha! Although talking about foos name-droppin' and actin' like they know wassup, or simply talkin' sh*t 'cause they hatin' on another's success is a constant rhyming trend in the Hip Hop world - I ain't mad at this song at all. Shiiiiit - Cudi could even be talking about me! LoL! Read my Cudi posts... I be talkin' like I know his ass personally! Like I be outside the club, jumpin' above the crowd with my arms raised talkin' bout, "Waddup Cudi! It's me! It's me..." And then when he doesn't respond, "*smack* Man... Fuck that ni99a. He ain't shit..." Ahaha!
All taaaaaaaaaalk.
Fuck it! And shut-up and listen ;)



Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Kid Cudi ft Kanye West | Erase Me

We've all been there. You break up but don't make up and then you're left with that unavoidable need to "erase" that person from your memory and your heart. A feeling that sometimes counteracts with missing that person... Or maybe not and you just long to forget, disregard, omit, delete... erase. Although we rarely hear the other side of those feelings - the thoughts coming from the person that is being erased. Well, here's Cudi's view...


Erase Me


Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

The Roots | How I Got Over

It was a little less than a year ago that I became pumped about The Roots upcoming album How I Got Over and displayed my deep rooted devotion with this post. Well it's finally here ladies & gents. So get over your Drake obsession and listen to some Hip Hop you can appreciate. The Roots... on so many more levels beyond what mainstream society has convinced you is good music. And this is how I get over it every other day...



Purchase 'How I Got Over' on iTunes

Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

...Been gone for a while/Tryin' to find you/Where are you now?

Have you been lookin' for Big Boi? Andre 3000? 'Cause I found 'em. Looks like they've been lookin' for us too ;P



Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

I'm on the pursuit of happiness... with a woman... with drugs in my pocket...

Cudi... Oh dear Kid Cudi... Scotty... What's happening with you?! Let's tone it down a bit shall we? Why you lettin' a broad get to you like that?! And hold up... liquid cocaine?! Couldn't you just say no?! Isn't weed enough? Can't you just stick to the weed, keep writing and putting out awesomely, relatable songs? Please don't disappoint your fans any further... Let the bitches come later, put on about 10-15 lbs (your head's too big for you to be that skinny), and lay off the harsh stuff! Can't forget that tree, remember?!

SMH...

People article - Cudi arrested - 6.14.10

Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Kelis | Acapella

An underrated artist that barely gets the props she deserves - I've been a fan of Kelis since her madness on Caught Out There. An artist who's work only goes publicly noticed when she makes some kinda commercial-catered song/video. Something like Bossy or Milkshake - The kinda songs where the lyrics are a tad dense yet they get so much play they quickly become played out. Admittingly, I was bossy for about a week and my milk shook for about 3 days. The part of Kelis that pleases me the most is thru her delicate and more well-versed pieces. Songs that have a bit more substance and that she sings with a bit more feeling. Something like Flashback, Living Proof and Trilogy... Much to my suffice - Acapella sweetened me beyond the mainstream effect. Keep on Kelis ;)



Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Erykah Badu | Window Seat | Jump Up In The Air And Stay There

Oh Ms. Badu... You inspire me. Artistically.





Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Drizzy Drake?! No thizzy thank you...

So as I was on FB yesterday, I see a couple posts talking about the new Drake album and how "they're feeling it" or "they love it" - made me wanna throw up... a little. I still don't understand the fascination with Drake?! He sounds like he's tryin' too hard, he looks retarded and I suppose once an artist claims to be the greatest when they're clearly not, is what takes the cake. Now I've never been mad at those music artists who dive into the commercial pool simply to make money. But when they seek respect in the game for their commercialism - ni99a please! And then I have fellow friends that usually like the same artists I do talking about they love Drake! I guess it just disappoints me a bit. It's like, how can I respect the fact that we even like the same music when you like Drake?! LoL! Perhaps one day I'll get over the Drake-hype and not really care if you like him or not but right now... At this very instant... I just can't, I won't, I refuse to ingest the supposed artist by the name of Drake. And I can't tolerate the "loving" of his washed up sound and extra-medium music. Missed me with that shit.

Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Na na na na na na - Can't Forget That Tree...

I can't stop crackin' up! Snoop and Cudi are characters! The simplicity of this video is genius - low budget at it's finest. As it doesn't take much to promote "That Tree". Get a load of the people in white suits holding the sun and the trees! LoL! And the deer?! WTHeck?! LoL! I can't stop crackin' up! Where my tree at... Then I gotta watch this video again! LMAO! (Oh and I never realized that Cudi has a really big head! Or does he have a small body?! Ahaha! Just sayin' - He's still my dude regardless... ;)



Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

N*E*R*D ft Nelly Furtado | Hot-n-Fun

I've always been a fan of N*E*R*D... The Neptunes... Pharrell... Ooooooooooh Pharrell. LoL! So of course I was siked when I saw on iTunes that they had a new single. Doesn't disappoint - showcased with that typical Neptunes sound and lyricism. Ya know you gotta love the way Pharrell takes about 5 words and repeats 'em over and over in front of a saucy beat to make a 3 minute song. And this particular song is just in time for Summer. I'm ready to roll thru my streets, sun in my eyes, bumpity bump bumpin this track ;)



Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Reflection Eternal | Revolutions Per Minute

Aw Reflection Eternal... I've missed you guys. If you don't know - this duo is comprised of the marvelous lyricist, Talib Kweli, and the distinct beat-maker, Hi-Tek. First adorned by their moving and poetic album, Train Of Thought, in 2000 - I knew they'd be in my playlist forever. Revolutions Per Minute delivers the goodness that is Reflection Eternal. Currently heating up my car's CD player, I shall willingly rotate it out as to not get indisposed by the rapid stream of: City Playgrounds... Strangers (Paranoid)... Midnight Hour... and Ballad of the Black Gold - just to name a few of my preferred tracks. If you are an equal fan of this magnificent duo then I'm sure you're already bobbin' your head to this musical delight. If not, get it together 'cause you're missin' it by the minute...



Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Janelle Monae | The ArchAndroid

One of my fave non-commercial artists - Janelle Monae has been hittin' the (knowing) masses with her cosmic rhythm since 2005, with the Jaspects in Peachtree Blues. A girl, at the tender age of 24, with a distinct and unique sound of her own - she feels out her songs the way we should. Portraying a perfect example of soul and enthusiasm. And always a signature match-up with Big Boi (which only makes me appreciate her existence even more ;)
Her first full-length album showcases like a movie. You know how usually after you listen to an artist's album you sorta pick out your fave tracks - "I like #5 & #8... Oh and #12!". LoL! Well, indeed there'll probably be some songs on this album that you'll admire more than others but you'll need to listen to it fully and in order, 1-18. And really listen, pay attention and let your imagination begin to create what Miss Monae wants us to encounter...
Get ready to be abducted.


Purchase The ArchAndroid on iTunes




Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

I can dig it. Diggy...

Ok so this should make my cousin feel better after our opposition with The-Dream & Aaliyah's One In A Million. =)

Little Diggy is growing up. Fresh outta puberty, who woulda thought that sweet crackling voice would come around full throttle?! Although you'd have to admit, amongst all of Rev Run's kids he seems the most serious and the most driven. So I'm not at all surprised that he's beginning a successful climb in his teen years. A sound catering to the ever growing fad of hipster kids & adults and along with his upcoming clothing line... then throw in a bit of Pharrell as his mentor - Diggy is doin' it! You knew Rev Run's musical genesis would finally shine. (Sorry Jojo but your wack trio wasn't cuttin' it. Be jealous. It's ok. He's your brother, your jealousy will be excused.)



Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Your love is a one in a... Milian?

I graciously received an email from my cousin today adorning the (dis)likes of a link to a video on YouTube. Accompanied with her comments of "oh hell to the no" and "Why oh why????!!!!". Now usually we are highly agreeable when it comes to music - a recent discovery that we have grown to cherish. However, she may just faint in disbelief when I say... I actually like The-Dream's take on Aaliyah's One In A Million. I know - How dare The-Dream take a bite of Aaliyah's legacy! Along with the fact that no modern day music artist can ever remake any of Aaliyah's songs remotely close enough to even touch her originals. But... I like The-Dream and I like Aaliyah and I like the song One In A Million therefore I like The-Dream singing One In A Million! Ah pick up your jaws people. It's not like he totally butchered the song. Provided there are a couple "eps" dished into it and the beat is slightly tweaked, it's easy on the ears. Well, my ears anyway.

It goes on and on and on... Ep.



Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Corinne Bailey... Heeeeey

I didn't even know her latest album dropped in January of this year. Shame on me. But I was finally graced with her latest single, Closer, via the Ellen Show about a month or so ago. Her music is so smooth and fulfilling. Her voice is tranquil and sweeping with just a touch of rasp. And considering what she went thru with the tragic loss of her husband, I am in even more admiration of her and her music...







Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

May your "life" be "saved" and you remain "fine and free"...

Another face of Hip Hop has passed away...
I admittingly became a fan of Guru via Jazzmatazz Vol. 1 before figuring out he was the other half of Gang Starr. I know, I know... Although I did dive into Gang Starr a bit thereafter, I stayed very much in touch with Guru via his Jazzmatazz albums. That musical fusion sent my stereo into another realm. Chillin' nights, candles & cigarette smoke. I drew so much inspiration from Guru's Jazzmatazzes - my writing hit a different note, my thoughts hit a different level, my fondness towards hip hop hit a different climax... Like so many great pioneers of hip hop that I miss, I will personally miss this particular soul. His music heavily impacted the dynamics of my early adulthood to which I am appropriately grateful. Rest in peace Guru...


Lifesaver







Supa Love





*







Gang Starr - Mass Appeal






Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

I Badu. Do you Badu? If you don't, you should. Baduing is inspiring...

New Amerykah Part Two: Return Of The Ankh

'Nuff said.

Here's a sample:


Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

B.o.B. ft Bruno Mars | Nothin' On You

I meager fan of B.o.B. after hearing Created A Monster a couple years ago, I became intrigued when I heard he had a new single out. But no sooner disenchanted when I realized it was a covered in the commercial curtain. But then again, pleased as soon as I saw the video...

Enjoy =)



Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

MaxwellJillScott | The Tour

I thought I was a Live Nation member but it said that it doesn't recognize my email address. Boo. [Enter sarcasm] No one-day-in-advance pre-sale for me! [Exit sarcasm] But please believe, all jokes aside, I will be on livenation.com at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 20th, buying 2 tickets to - what I'm sure will be - one of the best concerts of my time. In my city.
My eagerness is palpable.


MaxwellJillScott: The Tour - Seattle/Key Arena - June 2, 2010
Tickets available for purchase beginning March 20th at 10am on livenation.com


Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Prison for bitches...

Ra-ra-a-a-a-a Roma-ro-ma-ma... Oh. Wrong song.
After being able to take only so much of Miss GaGa's Bad Romance and just having established the few songs that I've grown fond of from her album, Fame Monster - one of which is the exactly said Telephone - Lady GaGa via Facebook blasts my news feed with the link to her new video.

"I knew you'd take all my honey. You selfish muthaf@#$%."



How 'bout them cigarette shades and soda can rollers?! ;P
Ahaha - Pussy Wagon... That's Kill Bill for you lepers.
And my future ex-husband/baby daddy Tyrese too?! Oh yes.
Crazy made my Thursday night.

Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Kanye West | Coldest Winter

I like the concept here. Sans a physical Mr. West, you still get the cold feel of the song thru the video. And a bride running from death - "Goodbye my friend/Will I ever love again?" Reaping what she sows...



Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Ria | Butterflies

Last weekend I finally got around to watching the movie When Will I Be Loved. A movie that I had in my sister's Netflix Watch Instantly queue for a really long time. Needless to say that the movie was fairly interesting but what staggered me the most was the song that played during the end credits - Butterflies by Ria. I listened and it reminded me of something I would've listened to over and over during my controversial and ever transitional life in my 20th year. It quickly drew me in and left me reminiscent. A YouTube search got me this video. Do drown out the movie dialogue in the background and listen... (to the song)



Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Electrik Red | So Good

I am saddened that my love of music didn't grant me the quick discovery of this superb group. And I sit, flooded in shame, to admit that after receiving a text from my younger sister, Valerie, asking me if I've heard Electrik Red, I calmly replied that I hadn't and will shortly check them out on YouTube. And it was just 5 minutes ago, check them out I did. And I believe it may be quite possible that I've found a new group that I can wholeheartedly and with surrendering openness, devote my ears to.

Electrik Red... you have jolted me.



Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Kid Sister ft Kanye West | Pro Nails

I know this song is a couple years old but it came about thru a circulation of emails between me, my cousin Jeannie and my sister Val. Funny how it came about: Jeannie brought up the Chucky doll which made me think of the My Buddy doll which made me think about the Kid Sister doll which made me think of Kid Sister the rap artist. So I sent Jeannie and Val the link to this video. Bump it.



Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Top 5 (or 7... or 10...)

So last Thursday I was hanging out with my girls for our weekly gals' night and as we started eating dinner my cousin asks me and my younger sis who our top 5 for greatest hip hop artists would be. I answered fairly quickly...
"Kid Cudi, Jay-Z, Common, Kanye & Nas. No wait! Take out Kanye and put in Mos Def. No wait! What about Biggie & 2Pac?! Can I have a Top 7?! What about Outkast? Can I have a Top 10?!"
Then my cousin kept talking about how dope Lil Wayne is. And I was like, "He's... alright." And she kept going on about his recent mix tape and how his rhymes "are sick..." So my sister and I pointed out how he's fairly commercial. Not that there's anything wrong with that, make that money, but to put Lil Wayne in my Top 5?! Noooo thank you. I'm more concerned with lyricism over commercialism, first and foremost. Then voice structure - basically, does the artist sound attractive and appealing? And lastly, beats.
My cousin stood her ground with insisting that Lil Wayne would def be in her top 5.
Ok. Clearly a case to agree to disagree but I gently reminded Jen that that's ok - it's HER top 5 and she can put whomever she wants in HER top 5. Ahaha! However, I just think that she was surprised that I wouldn't put Lil Wayne in MY top 5... or 7... or 10. Another instance portrayed via the great music debate and trying to school her might've been the death of me. It's like trying to talk about religion. Where obviously the one you favor will be what you choose and what you'll try to defend and sell. But she missed me with that Lil Wayne shit. Just sayin'...

He's not sweet makes me wanna leave the wrapper/So I walked and left the wrapperrrr

Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Happy Valentine's Day ;)

Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

And since we're on a Sade tip...

let's reflect on some of her remarkable past...





















Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Sade | Soldier Of Love

Oh I adore Sade. She soothes me. Her jazzy, undertoned beats synchronized with her deep, milky voice... When you're as emotional a being as I am, sometimes there's only one thing that can counteract your derailment - Sade.

Now as there'll never be as great a Sade album as Love Deluxe, Soldier Of Love doesn't disappoint. And if you're as much of a Sade fan as I am, I'm sure you've already bought her album and draped yourself with it.



P.S. You know she's 51 yrs old... Doesn't she look amazing?!

Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Alicia Keys | Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart

I was all over Ms. Keys latest album like a crackhead on a dealer's dick! She's the shiz! I eagerly anticipate a video for her song This Bed ;)
In the meantime, let's enjoy this video shall we?

Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart

Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Shakira ft Kid Cudi | Did It Again

And upon just watching Cudi's Pursuit Of Happiness video I also just watched this video. Now you know I think Shakira is a bad bitch and only makes me love her more that she teamed up with Cudi on this song. Oh and the dance moves. Oooooh the dance moves...



Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

Kid Cudi | Pursuit Of Happiness

Ok, I don't have to remind you but you already know I love me some Kid Cudi and I ever shamefully just watched this video today. Forgive me Scotty ;)



Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO

It's been a long time/I shouldn't have left you/Without a dope beat to step to...

Apologies to my 3 followers.
LOL.
I haven't posted any musical blogging prowess in such a long time.
But I'm back.
Or at least I'll try to be.
At least once a week.
I <3 you.

Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'

XO