Memories

Memories are a funny thing, or funny things as the case may be. You get my point though? Memories as a concept I guess is what I'm actually trying to say.

I recall looking through some old pictures of mine and friends' old blogs, letters, emails and such. I just kept thinking to myself, "wow, you mean all this actually happened? I was in love with so and so, such and such were dating such and such? You mean I and this person were talking? Etc, etc.

Someone asked a question on a webboard that asked for complete honesty. I couldn't bring myself to be THAT honest. Considering I knew some of the ppl making their confessions, in fact knew some of those confessions and heck, who wants to put themselves out there?

I think I'm quite introspective. I think a lot. My mom recognised this as far back as my early teens and warned me not to over-think. I analyse and self-critique constantly. I believe God has used this aspect of my personality to give me advice on issues and also curtail certain things I didn't need to be putting out there.

Overtime, I have learnt to talk less and observe more. Back in the day I'd spew advice just because I genuinely wanted to help folks. I love ppl. I make no bones about it. The lack of understanding of how to love folks I believe has gotten me in emotional spats and things and of course how to and when not to give advice. I know better looking at the cusp of the later part of my 20's. Even during a convo I had with a friend over the phone the other night about a past r/ship. I told her str8 up. There are certain things I'd have done differently based on what I know now but hey, it is what it is. I did what I knew at that time. It made me a better person going through that and seeing things that way.

However, I do feel awkward seeing ppl I used to be so close to or cool with be on the other side of the fence so to speak. Sometimes I'll admit I'm a bit 'pained' if that's the word that a r/ship or friendship as it were is non-existent due to factors in large part are extraneous?

I know ppl come and go in your life like seasons. It's scary sometimes to think about. I guess that's why we ought to be like the Jedi. Never get too attached. 'Cos when parting time comes, it will be DIFFICULT?

I know God knows what's best for us. He knows who ought to remain in our lives because He sees the big picture all the time and we only see the big picture in glimpses, shadows, footprints, watermarks etc.

I guess what I'm trying to say is I do genuinely miss a number of those ppl. The laughs, jokes, even quarrels we had. It sucks to know ppl are out of your life not because you kicked them out but either they decided to leave or circumstances sort of made it that way and you see all of a sudden later on and it feels as though you never met this person ever before in your life.

Maybe the reality of it all is I've grown. I'm no longer the guy they once knew 2, 3, 4 years ago. This I know is true because no one needs to tell me things about me have changed for the better. One of said ppl mentioned it about last year. So I guess I'll just keep it moving as always and look forward to the next batch of ppl that come into my life.

I do however pray Lord that those who You know NEED to remain in my life will remain, nothing uprooting them. I don't like break ups...

Did the Roots, Mef, Ghost, et al take the 'L?'

So your boy Jay got the vid for his single premiered on Monday Night Football, Budweiser commercials you name it

One starts to wonder what really did happen with The Roots?
who arguably weren't going to make huge numbers but still...

..and what about Ironman? a.k.a Ghost?, Method man? When is Redman going to come out? Joe Buddens anyone?

I for one just wanted to believe ppl were putting way too much blame on Jay and less on other major players, *ahemLAReidahem* so who really is to blame? Jay undoubtedly as a CEO has some pull...you're hired to market your artists. Then again, Rick Ross I believe went plat, Rihanna went plat..

I can't call it. Someone needs to interview Jay and directly ask him this question 'cos it keeps lingering..and the more it lingers unanswered the more we begin to really wonder, did Def Jam really just hold up everyone so Jay could come out? Mind you, he's still around the world touring..meanwhile artists here can't catch a break. I suppose Nas too will come out before Mouse..

When your favorite group/rapper ain't comin' wit' it

Wow

Ok. I was stoked about the first single that leaked. I enjoyed it for what it was..a club/party single doesn't have to be full of metaphors or clustered ideas since ppl don't care much for the lyrics while bumping and grinding on the dance floor, mostly for chants/hooks, choruses and of course 'ze beat!'

However, I'm a bit concerned about Jay-Z's Kingdom Come. I like any other Jay fan was happy that he was coming back (not that he left to begin with but you get my point right?). Now the problem I have with this radio rip/leak is as follows:

1. Lyrically this is an all-time low for Shawn Carter. Is he done? Bored? Or did he just phone this in? I think one of the three..as an emcee myself I do know when you just write to write and you just coast off on a track because you don't want to put the effort into it. I don't know if going off the top of your head as Jay has done for a while now is to blame for this..I just can't put my finger on it.

2. It's an old throw-away beat Just Blaze had up on his myspace page awhile back. Of course I don't expect Jay to have heard it prior to and I don't know how Jay got a hold of it, if Just came up to him and said, "hey, you know I had this beat lying around." It's a great beat don't get me wrong but a beat that begs for something dope, not just a coasting like freestyle contrived into a song.

Maybe it's the fan in me that just expects a bit more. Maybe I just don't want to see the man lose out against critics who've complained he isn't really capable. As an artist I take my craft seriously. If I'm not 'feeling' it I rather not do it, than put something wack out. Of course there are times you make mistakes but this just sounds like a freestyle. If it was labeled, 'freestyle' I'd be more impressed.

Come on jay...

Show me what you got!! (c) Flava Flav

He's "back"

Hands up and Wave, wave, wave..

So this leaked. Unbelievable almost @ how fast news travels in this age of the internet. I really DIG this track. I can't wait to hear it in a club/party/event. Lord knows when it comes on, it'll be nothing short of DRAMATIC!

Yeah, yeah we all knew he was coming back. We knew this retirement was rather contrived. Funny enough since his pseudo retirement jigga has managed to stay stuck in the spotlight. I'm sure he's loving the attention. Of course anti-Jiggans will 'hate' no matter how dope his music gets on this album and fans will remain, well fans. I look forward to this album as well as Hip hop is dead...the N by Nas.

Looks like it's gon' be a nice col' winna..

show me what you got lil lady!

Good music is EVERYWHERE!!!

These gentlemen from Sierra Leone have an album they put together. Very impressive as they used hand-made instruments and of course some studio time and recorded this. Wonderful blend of high-life, reggae, roots, dub all mixed together for good measure.

I must admit I didn't know how very similar in terms of pidgin english and accent these guys are to Nigerians. Very interesting as you know Africa being as big as it is, you never think too many ppl talk the same way you do let alone have the same mannerisms.

Cop that disc!