Saturday, January 29, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
I'm In the UK But Just For One Day
Nicki Minaj does an interview with Tim Westwood during her stay in the UK. She also gives a shout out to Queens!
Labels:
nicki minaj,
queens,
tim westwood,
uk,
video
Monster Mondays - 1/24/11
Labels:
anything,
monster monday,
musiq soulchild,
swizz beatz
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Wish I Could See You Again
On this day two years ago, a good friend of mine was taken away due to gun violence. I knew Nyasia Pryear-Yard since I was in elementary school and I couldn't believe it when I got a phone call about her passing. She didn't even make it to her 18th birthday. I've had my own instance where I could have been in the same situation and it makes me so grateful for life. They say that the good die young and she sure was a good person. She was into the arts and planned on going to college for it. I told myself that I would continue my artwork for her because someone stripped her of her ability to continue it for herself.
I did a Google search of her name today and it made me feel a little bit better to see that so many people have been looking up her story that it's on the instant search.
Sadly, the person(s) that shot her was not caught. She knows that we all miss her and she's always in our hearts.
This song is for her:
In Loving Memories - G Whizz
Read more to see the NY Times article about the incident.
Labels:
ny times,
nyasia pryear-yard
Monday, January 17, 2011
Monster Mondays - 1/17/11
Labels:
chris brown,
diesel,
freaky i iz,
kevin mccall,
swizz beatz
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Dancehall Worldwide
As I watch all of these dance competition shows I can't help but notice that they're fairly limited. I would love to see there be contestant that considers his/herself a Dancehall dancer or something of that sort. I came across a YouTube video of a So You Think You Can Dance Canada and to my surprise, there was a Dancehall routine! I was surprised because it was a fairly recent song too - Clarks by Vybz Kartel & Popcaan.
While searching to see if there were other So You Think You Can Dance Dancehall routines, I came across this video where the true meaning and spirit of Dancehall is described. There's a swagger that you need when dancing Dancehall. I also found videos from the Australian, Finnish, and Polish So You Think You Can Dance. I think the one in Australia is the best.
Read more to see other performances of Dancehall internationally.
While searching to see if there were other So You Think You Can Dance Dancehall routines, I came across this video where the true meaning and spirit of Dancehall is described. There's a swagger that you need when dancing Dancehall. I also found videos from the Australian, Finnish, and Polish So You Think You Can Dance. I think the one in Australia is the best.
Read more to see other performances of Dancehall internationally.
Labels:
australia,
canada,
dancehall,
finland,
poland,
popcaan,
so you think you can dance,
vybz kartel,
worldwide
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Bad Decision
What was he thinking? Gucci Mane, probably one of the most overrated rappers that I've ever heard, is pretty ridiculous. He just got an ice cream cone with 3 scoops tattooed on his face...to top it off the cone has "Brrr" printed on it. Some rappers have tattoos on their face and it looks like this isn't the first one on his face but, really?...an ice cream cone?
Earlier in the month he checked into a mental health facility and was under observation. The results are supposed to be released in a couple of weeks...we'll see how that turns out.
Earlier in the month he checked into a mental health facility and was under observation. The results are supposed to be released in a couple of weeks...we'll see how that turns out.
Labels:
gucci mane,
ice cream,
tattoo
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Art Lives Forever
Since today is the 1 year anniversary of the major 2010 earthquake in Haiti, I thought I should share something that I learned while writing a paper on art and whether or not the Caribbean has it's own form or style. The Centre d'Art was a museum that was destroyed due to the earthquake but while the country was being torn apart the people were still hopeful. I believe that one of the best ways to document incidences like these is through art. Whether it's visual, musical, or however else one chooses, the expression of the built up emotions that are being felt are potential for beautiful things. Frantz Zepherin, one of the survivors of the incident, painted a series of paintings after missing death and his well made works are his way of calling out for help for his country as well as informing future generations of the misfortunes and adversities they've gone through.
Read more to see more of Frantz Zephirin's works.
Labels:
2010,
art,
caribbean,
centre d'art,
earthquake,
frantz zephirin,
haiti,
painting
Drizzy's London Accent
Priceless...hahaha
Labels:
accent,
drake,
london,
tim westwood
I Get Lonely Too
Drake was supposed to release this song a while ago. I thought it was supposed to be on Thank Me Later but I don't know what happened. Either it wasn't his song or he gave it to Jeremiah, either way it's still a good song.
I Get Lonely Too - Jeremiah Feat. Drake
Labels:
drake,
i get lonely too,
jeremiah
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Cool Like Mi Wash Mi Face Wit Di Cake Soap
Labels:
cake soap,
vybz kartel
Fun Fact #2
I'm a day late but as promised, I have another fun fact for Fun Fact Monday.
This one comes from the Snapple Facts and I've confirmed that it's one of the true Snapple Facts.
#11 Flamingos are pink because they eat shrimp
This one comes from the Snapple Facts and I've confirmed that it's one of the true Snapple Facts.
#11 Flamingos are pink because they eat shrimp
Monster Mondays - 1/10/11
Labels:
rick ross,
swizz beatz,
transporter
Friday, January 7, 2011
Di Teacha
Since today is Adidja "Vybz Kartel" Palmer's (one of Dancehall's biggest artists) birthday, I thought I should do a special post for him. Sting (one of Jamaica's biggest events for Dancehall performers) was not a big success in December 2010 because of the absence of Vybz Kartel and Movado. During Sting 2008, Kartel, a Gaza representative, battled Movado, a Gully representative, and due to Movado rushing away from the stage, Kartel saw him as even more of a coward. Vybz Kartel took this event and ran with it by coming out with a song called Don't Run (Last Man Standing).
There are so many feuds in the Dancehall industry and Kartel says that he didn't show up to the event because he feared for his life. The fear had nothing to do with Movado but with a former officer names Liang.
Kartel says that his nice skin and complexion is due to the cake soap that he uses...haha. I can vouch for greatness of cake soap. As a person who uses cake soap, I think I have pretty good skin. The problem that everyone has with Kartel's cake soap is that it seems to make him lighter...
His songs are so creative and I think he is one of Jamaica's best Dancehall artists.
Here is an interview where he discusses the issue of Sting 2010 and his upcoming plans...
Read more to hear some of his popular songs.
There are so many feuds in the Dancehall industry and Kartel says that he didn't show up to the event because he feared for his life. The fear had nothing to do with Movado but with a former officer names Liang.
Kartel says that his nice skin and complexion is due to the cake soap that he uses...haha. I can vouch for greatness of cake soap. As a person who uses cake soap, I think I have pretty good skin. The problem that everyone has with Kartel's cake soap is that it seems to make him lighter...
His songs are so creative and I think he is one of Jamaica's best Dancehall artists.
Here is an interview where he discusses the issue of Sting 2010 and his upcoming plans...
Read more to hear some of his popular songs.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
They Try to Put Him in a Box, It's Impossible
Ryan Leslie is extremely skilled in the music industry. He is a self taught pianist, singer, rapper, producer, and the list goes on. He started attending Harvard University at age 15 and majored in Government. Although he isn't using his major in his current profession, he says that the whole college experience is what he benefited from the most. He was not a straight A student but he was still able to graduate on time.
It's interesting to know or at least get an idea of what goes on in his mind.
While touring in Europe, Ryan lost his bag that had his laptop, hard drive, $10,000 in cash and his passport in Germany. Because of the value of music and hard work, he has increased the amount of the reward for the return of his laptop and hard drive from $20,000 to $1,000,000.
Read more to see the making of some of his tracks...
His unique way of making music is what fascinates me the most. He has a series of videos on youtube showing how he makes his tracks. I think his style is brilliant and he is a musical genius. For his song Gibberish, he just pulls out his pocket trumpet and just starts playing it on the track! Who knew he played the trumpet? I sure didn't until I watched the video a while ago.
It's interesting to know or at least get an idea of what goes on in his mind.
While touring in Europe, Ryan lost his bag that had his laptop, hard drive, $10,000 in cash and his passport in Germany. Because of the value of music and hard work, he has increased the amount of the reward for the return of his laptop and hard drive from $20,000 to $1,000,000.
Read more to see the making of some of his tracks...
Labels:
addiction,
europe,
fabolous,
germany,
gibberish,
harvard,
hello,
jasmine villegas,
laptop,
ryan leslie,
you be killin em
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Cover Your Mouth...and Nose, Please
And this is why sneezes are gross...
It's only cute when young animals do it...
Read more to see other animal sneezes...
It's only cute when young animals do it...
Read more to see other animal sneezes...
Monday, January 3, 2011
Fun Fact #1
I've decided that I'm going to do something special every Monday called Fun Fact Monday where I'll be posting a random fact.
Today's fun fact is...
By sleeping on one's left side, the chances of getting acid reflux can be reduced.
Today's fun fact is...
By sleeping on one's left side, the chances of getting acid reflux can be reduced.
Labels:
acid reflux,
fun fact,
monday
Unlimited Vision
Swizz Beatz, the world famous producer/beat maker, has big plans for 2011. This 31 year old artist is well known for his musical talent but he's showing the world that as an artist he is not limited to music. When he's in his Greenpoint, Brooklyn art studio he goes by his real name, Kasseem Dean.
Visual art is just as much one of his passions as music and he does not plan on giving up one for the other. Why should he when he's very capable of doing both? He has even painted on his wife Alicia Keys, before the new year, and said that she is the best canvas that he's ever painted on. In this piece "Love" is the predominant word painted on her body.
Swizz donated all of the money earned from his very first painting to charity. He seems to have gone through many stages of styles and does not plan on stopping anytime soon. The piece where he uses Alicia Keys as his canvas definitely reminds me of one of his inspirations, Keith Haring.
He has released a glimpse of his first painting of the year called Young Brazil. I wonder if he paints with those shades on too haha...if so, that's pretty great that he can produce that piece with them on. I think it's a lovely piece and there's great emotion in the children's faces. I also think it's safe to say that Swizz Beatz is on the verge of being a genius.
Read more to see more art pieces by Swizz Beatz and an interview by the NY Post.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Haters in the Building
Lil Kim really needs to stop trying to start fights with Nicki Minaj. What Lil Kim fails to realize is that without Nicki Minaj she would still be trying to figure out how to get back in the game. She is one of the people that paved the way for Nicki and no one disputes that but why is she still trying to attack Nicki when she's already acknowledged that she was an influence to her.
Lil Kim is a true hater and now she's trying to bring Mary J. Blige into the feud. She had her time and now it's time to let the people that used to look up to her keep things going for the female rappers. There is word that Lil Kim and Mary will be working on a diss for Nicki but honestly, no one should be worried. The first diss, "Friday the 13th", was garbage.
Lil Kim is a true hater and now she's trying to bring Mary J. Blige into the feud. She had her time and now it's time to let the people that used to look up to her keep things going for the female rappers. There is word that Lil Kim and Mary will be working on a diss for Nicki but honestly, no one should be worried. The first diss, "Friday the 13th", was garbage.
Labels:
hater,
lil kim,
mary j. blige,
nicki minaj,
video
The Real Happy Feet
I saw the movie Happy Feet for the first time in Portuguese on my way to Brasil a few years ago and I had no idea what was being said but I knew it was an awesome movie. I love pretty much all cute animals but I find penguins to be very fascinating. I later saw the movie in English and that confirmed my feelings about the movie and penguins.
A great video of a penguin dancing and jumping around in excitement while snow fell was posted on youtube a few days ago. It's interesting because the penguin should be used to the snow given where its habitat is. A few of the other penguins appear to be a bit confused but don't have much of a reaction beyond that.
Courtesy of Nicole Tremblay
After seeing Happy Feet I've always wanted my own pet penguin. I have it all planned out where once I get my own house, I'll have this large walk-in freezer where the penguin will stay. I don't mind the cold so I will be glad to go in and play with it whenever. I tell people about this idea and they think I'm a little crazy. Little did I know, there is an old man and woman in Japan living out my dream. They have a 10 year old king penguin from the antarctic and are caring for it like a regular pet. There's still hope for me to have one too!
Read more to see a video on the pet Japanese penguin.
A great video of a penguin dancing and jumping around in excitement while snow fell was posted on youtube a few days ago. It's interesting because the penguin should be used to the snow given where its habitat is. A few of the other penguins appear to be a bit confused but don't have much of a reaction beyond that.
Courtesy of Nicole Tremblay
After seeing Happy Feet I've always wanted my own pet penguin. I have it all planned out where once I get my own house, I'll have this large walk-in freezer where the penguin will stay. I don't mind the cold so I will be glad to go in and play with it whenever. I tell people about this idea and they think I'm a little crazy. Little did I know, there is an old man and woman in Japan living out my dream. They have a 10 year old king penguin from the antarctic and are caring for it like a regular pet. There's still hope for me to have one too!
Read more to see a video on the pet Japanese penguin.
Labels:
antarctic,
brasil,
domestic,
english,
excitement,
happy feet,
jumping,
king,
movie,
penguin,
pet,
portuguese,
rescue,
video
Resolutions
While most people have set their new year resolution(s), I'm still not exactly sure what mine will be. A survey was done on 43things.com where they found the top 10 resolutions for 2011. I think that they're pretty good.
1. Lose Weight
Losing weight is always great...unless you're already slim and are trying to gain weight.
2. Eat, Drink, Learn or Try Something New
I always think it's good to try new things. The way I see it is that if I don't end up liking it, it might turn out to be a good story to tell people later on. Also, it's good to learn about new things because everyone should be aware of certain things in life.
3. Be Happy
Happiness is great. Nobody...actually...I think very few people would like to stay sad or mad about everything in life.
4. Save Money
Saving money is also great. I think that if I'm saving money, I'm already starting to achieve #3.
5. Set an Attainable Athletic Goal, Like Running a 5 or 10K
Athletic goals are definitely worth the effort. I don't know if I have the motivation to run a 5 or 10K but I think I could find something else to work up to. This also ties into #1 because while trying to attain this goal you can also be losing weight.
6. Fall in Love
Love. As one gets older, they usually try to seek out that person that brings true happiness to their life. I think it's great to have it as a resolution. Don't rush into it, let things take its course.
7. Get a Job
Everyone needs a job...except those who already have one...or a couple. The job search is hard and especially in this economy, things aren't getting easier anytime soon.
8. Take a Photo Every Day of the Year
I read this one and thought it was absolutely ridiculous but then I realized it would actually be pretty cool to see myself change day by day. I kind of really want to try it but I'm pretty certain that I'll get fed up with it by March...if that late.
9. Read More
Reading is essential for pretty much everything. I will definitely try to do more of it throughout this year.
10. Quit Smoking
Lucky for me I never started. I do think it's great when people do take that step to stop because like any addiction it can be tough.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
So Ambitious
Jay-Z has gone through a lot in his life and I think that his song "So Ambitious" has a great message. He defied the odds of either being left in jail, dead, or a drug addict although he started off on the wrong path.
Pharell starts the song off by saying, "The motivation for me is them telling me what I could not be, oh well." His story really shows how humble he is about his success and how he truly came from nothing.
Oprah has a show called Master Class where she gives the stories of people who have impacted the world in some way. In these interviews they speak about the person's success, downfalls and everything in between. In this edition she does a special on Jay-Z
Part 1
Read more to see part 2 and 3 of the program.
Pharell starts the song off by saying, "The motivation for me is them telling me what I could not be, oh well." His story really shows how humble he is about his success and how he truly came from nothing.
Oprah has a show called Master Class where she gives the stories of people who have impacted the world in some way. In these interviews they speak about the person's success, downfalls and everything in between. In this edition she does a special on Jay-Z
"I felt so inspired by what my teacher said
Said I'd either be dead or be a reefer head"
- Jay-Z
Part 1
Read more to see part 2 and 3 of the program.
Labels:
Jay-Z,
life,
master class,
Oprah,
Pharell,
so ambitious,
success,
video
I'm Not Seeing Much
So Chris Brown has a new single for 2011 and I'm not sure what to think of it. I saw that the song had him, Busta Rhymes, and Lil Wayne and I thought "Ok this has potential. It should be pretty good." I played it and I think the beat is good but I feel like an artist's first song of the year should be them going hard to make sure that they start the year off well.
The verse by Chris isn't great. Busta is being himself and I feel like he might be going a bit hard but he hasn't been in the game for a little while and he understands what he needs to try to do. Weezy's verse is alright but he has nothing to prove. He's clearly the most established out of the three. I know it's Chris's song but he definitely lowers the quality of it.
Read more to hear the song.
Labels:
2011,
busta rhymes,
chris brown,
lil wayne,
look at me now,
weezy
New Year!
6 Foot 7 Foot New Year's Day 2011 Performance by Lil Wayne & Cory Gunz...You have to have Weezy to get people hyped in the new year!
Labels:
2011,
6 foot 7 foot,
carson daly,
cory gunz,
lil wayne,
new year,
nicki minaj,
weezy
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