Monday Madness A Bit Late...Again...

"You spin me right round baby, right round like a record baby, right round, round, round..."  You Spin Me Round - Dead Or Alive

That is exactly how I feel right now, like I am going around in circles.  Everything I see on TV, hear on radio, witness people who do not hear, feel the consequences of their decisions - it's the same old thing.  Same shit different day.  I am trying my best to keep myself out of that equation, since I am the type who likes change and likes to keep things spicy.  I do not do too well with the status quo.  But hey, that is the way of the world and it is up to us, individually, to do what we were put here to do.  I try every day to do my part, do you?

Alright, enough of the psychobabble, here is Monday Madness - the things that made me cringe, cuss or just shake my head...

By the way, this installment goes out to my peoples at 90Degrees Design and Marketing ltd. in my hometown Montreal.  I was told that Alex is a fan of my rants.  So Alex, hope you enjoy my sarcastic bits today!  On with the show!

1) CNN's "Black In America":  I have no idea what CNN was trying to accomplish with their documentary "Black In America", I personally found it to be extremely depressing.  Again, for the mere fact that we already know what is going on across the border.  And those who are blind to what is going on, I really have no response for you.  However, for those of us who live in the here and now and the reality of it all, I am sure it was not an eye opener as CNN thought it was going to be.  If you want more information on the program and their information boards, check out CNN.com

2) All These Fake Ass Rappers: I give up, really I do.  Why are we so wrapped up in how long a rappers "wrap" sheet is?  And to make things worse, when they lie about it, we (well, not me...) get all twisted up and shocked when we hear they are fakers in the game.  For instance, there is word out regarding Rick Ross being a correctional officer in his past life.  However, Mr. William Leonard Roberts (god forbid I call him that) claims that he was a hardcore drug dealer blah blah blah and that he was never, NEVER a correctional officer.  But leave it to TheSmokingGun.com to do what they do and obtain refutable info.  I mean come on, that would ruin his reputation wouldn't it?  It would be HORRIBLE for him to actually be making a decent living like everyone else.  Dude went to college!!  Yes college!!  And to study what you may ask?  Get this - CRIMINAL LAW!  And you wouldn't be proud of that?  I don't understand, am I missing something?

3) Another lying Summa Mumma Ding Ding:  Rapper Piles is another one who proclaims that he is a "goon affiliated ex-drug dealer", but another site has found the contrary.  Apparently, his run ins with the law did not begin until he started his climb on the charts, what a co-in-qui-dink.  This one unfortunately just happens to be born the day before me.  Wonderful.  Don't these guys know that a little sense goes a long way?  With Lil' Wayne rapping about "I'm a young money millionaire, stronger than Nigerian hair"  Ummm, stronger than Nigerian hair?  Shit, I better call Diddy to produce my shit Q-U-I-C-K.  And this is why I don't listen to whatever it is they call "rap" nowadays.  Well, not the regurgitated crap you hear that is.  Is it just me or am I getting old?

4) Whitney's comeback, ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!!: I just listened to Whitney Houston's new song on one of my favorite sites Concrete Loop.  What a hot mess!  And to make things worse than they are, the song features the nasal-I-think-I-am-God's-gift-to-music Akon.  If this is what we have been all waiting for baited breath, then I better get my asthma pump ready.  Clive Davis himself said that Whitney would not be riding the "assimilation" and "bandwagon" wave, but will be delivering what her fans all know and love.  Well, I don't know about you, but this is a DISAPPOINTMENT and if this is any indication of what the album will bring, then guess who will be keeping her $9.99?  Check it out here. (concreteloop.com)

5) One more dumb ass rapper: What is wrong with Busta Rhymes?  Honestly, after his string of trouble, arrests and court dates, he has left a sour taste in my mouth.  And I was a hardcore fan of his since Leaders Of The New School.  I came across this on SOHH and I really couldn't stop laughing at his arrogance AND grammar.  This is Busta talking about himself and his "status" in the rap game.  Read this a few times for a good laugh: 

"I take to it [people remaining oblivious to his "greatest" status] optimistically.  Like it doesn't define my greatness, because I feel that greatness that supersedes what people categorize as great is hard to define..." (sohh.com)

SERIOUSLY??!!  WTF!!!!

My peoples, I just don't get it.

Flashback of the day: Well, I needed a little something to get me out of my funk.  Enjoy a little New Edition...

See y'all soon...

Tha Connoisseur 

Whitney "The Voice" Houston, Where Are You?

"I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadow.  If I fail, if I succeed, at least I'll live as I believe..."  Greatest Love Of All - Whitney Houston

At the beginning of the week, I had already chosen what my album of the week was going to be.  Then again, I was swayed to the other side when I heard a song from Ms. Whitney Houston.  Here I was, reminiscing and singing "All At Once" from the top of my lungs in the shower.  Don't worry, I remembered right quick that my forte is writing and NOT singing–reality kicked in.  So on that note, the album of the week without further adieu is:

Boy, where do I start.  This is the Whitney that we all know and love, the one everyone cares to remember.  Let us be a bit nostalgic for a moment shall we?  Remember the fresh face that came to light, care of the power mogul Clive Davis?  I still remember the night I was up waaaay past my bedtime, and was allowed by the grace of my Mommy, to watch Whitney Houston's debut singing the hell out of "Home" on The Merv Griffin Show.  Watching Whitney looking a bit apprehensive at the jump in that poofy purple outfit, was a bit uncomfortable, but once she settled into the song and took off her confidence shined through.  I don't usually do this, but I had to show those who don't remember, what I am really talking about.

This was all pre her biggest mistake of all–Bobby Brown, pre crack-is-wack and pre rehab.  This album is just all Whitney Elizabeth Houston, graceful, beautiful and oh that voice.  Whitney was the kind of artist that could sing a phone book and win a Grammy for it.  It is amazing to think now that many producers actually passed over working with the new songstress.  Thanks to a duet with Teddy Pendergrass entitled "Hold Me", her voice was finally pressed on vinyl for the world to hear.  But the song that catapulted Miss Houston into fame, was her smash hit "You Give Good Love."  A song that cannot be mistaken as one of Whitney's best, it was one of the ultimate song choices for the back in the day quiet storm tape.  I must say (and I know I will get cracked on for this), that I was one of the few who jumped on the Jermaine Jackson bandwagon and have his work on vinyl (I said it!!).  Jermaine is no Michael, but "Take Good Care Of My Heart" is a smooth finger-snapping feel good track, while "Nobody Loves Me Like You Do" is serious! 

Whitney had quite a few hits off of this album with "You Give Good Love", "Saving All My Love For You", "Greatest Love Of All", "How Will I Know" and "All At Once."  Nevertheless, apart from the hits, the other singles are definitely noteworthy.  Whitney was known for her duets with Jermaine and Teddy, her angelic voice complementing the high and nasal vocal of Jermaine and the sexy gritty growl of Teddy.  This phenomenal album went an incredible and unprecedented 13 times multi-platinum and is perhaps the best album ever from Whitney Houston.  Nothing can be substituted, replaced or even come close.  

So with all of the talk of Whitney's new album being released during the upcoming holidays, accompanied by her rousing performance in Malaysia and her disastrous performance in Trinidad–what are we left with?  What direction do we go?  Do we believe that The Voice can make a come back with an album worth the wait and weight in Grammy's?  Forget the Grammy's how about the weight in support from her fans?  Or will her attempt finally be the last nail in the coffin for her already dimmed out light?  Only time will tell...

So the flashback of the day is my ultimate favorite Whitney Houston song.  Pure, from the heart and straight up love.  I had my hair cut like this AND bought myself a monogramed sweater, all because of Whitney!  Y'all let me know what your favorite Whitney track is.  Enjoy! :

Have a wicked weekend...

Tha Connoisseur