January 31, 2006

St. Louis Police Whoop Suspect’s Ass

Well, check this and say what you will. And you can’t watch this with Firefox.

The investigation’s taking place. My only contribution–the reporter on this one says the cat on the ground has a lengthy rap sheet. What’s that got to do with anything?

January 30, 2006

Hmmmph…

At some point, people are going to have to acknowledge this is the most corrupt and inept federal government most Americans will ever be governed by. The Bush administration should be ashamed of itself, and those that continue to support it need to take long, hard looks in the mirror.

So I ask the majority of the voting public–how do you feel about your vote right now?

January 28, 2006

Bo Speaks to Elliott Wilson…Once.

A while ago, I told you all that I would be posting an interview with XXL Editor-in-Chief Elliott Wilson. Elliott was doing interviews with bloggers to both promote his magazine’s compilation record and to make peace with those offended but this editor’s note that was pretty harsh toward bloggers. While he says he was only speaking to a couple of people, it came across as a spirited missive toward an entire group of people. I personally didn’t get too offended by it, but I did find it strange that someone would use such a forum for that reason. But to each his reach, ya dig?

Well, I never got around to transcribing the tape. That’s my bad. I got wrapped up in too many things and didn’t get around to getting that handled. For reasons you might be able to relate to, I had to take care of tasks that contributed to my nourishment before I could make a serious time investment in something that wasn’t going to pay. That was one of those prioritizations I had to make. In the process, I reneged on a promise to Elliott to run this interview, and I was wrong for that. Apologies to all affected.

But then something happened. I went to the gas station one morning to get a cup of coffee and saw the first issue of Eye Candy magazine. As you either know or can easily surmise, it’s an extension of XXL’s Eye Candy feature, which showcases women from videos that readers fervently request. The scenery’s usually nice, but it’s impossible to not question whether it’s cool to put a centerfold in that magazine. That really makes it hard to argue that the objectification of women isn’t particularly charactersitic of hip hop in a way that it is not inextricably linked to other genres. Arguments could be made in both directions on that one, but you have to ask a few questions about that.

Eye Candy magazine takes that to a whole ‘nother level. The first reading made me wonder why Harris Publications doesn’t skip the pretense, put the book in plastic, and just make it porn. I guess the book’s no more geared toward horndogs than Maxim or other men’s magazines, but that doesn’t make it particularly cool. A spread with five straight women in bathing suits answering a bunch of mundane questions, including favorite sexual position, made me take pause.

What threw me over the edge was the “tail of the tape” between Ki-Toy Johnson (from OutKast’s “The Way You Move” video) and Buffie Tha Body (from a slew of videos, including Tony Yayo’s “So Seductive”). The questions were about the quality of their faces, their bodies, skin tone…and their jobs. Ki-Toy runs a non-profit. Buffie’s gig is simply referred to as “stripper.”

I’m too tired to fully describe this, but there was an obvious juxtaposition between the woman a man would take home to mother and the woman a man would just want to fuck, preferrably if no one else knew about it. That whole line of thought about women makes me a bit uncomfortable, but I guess I’m fairly numb to judgmental behavior at this point. What really got me was how this ran in contrast to Bonsu Thompson’s statement in the editor’s note that his goal has always been to cast these ladies in the most positive light possible.

So, exactly how did that apply to Buffie in that case? It would be hard to argue that it went like that at all.

That little feature showed me that it might be time that I reconsider what I’m willing to tolerate on gender issues in hip hop. And I’m not trying to say that I’m angelic when it comes to these things. I’m pretty well known for my knowledge of gentlemen’s clubs across the country. After i heard about the “Tip Drill” video for the first time, I told someone to call me at 3am and wake me up so I could see it for myself.

I’m that dude…and Eye Candy still made me take pause. Take that as you will. But making me reconsider a lot of those things showed me that my issues with that magazine were more important than anything he and I talked about. ‘Twas time for the plan to change.

So I figured that since I had access to Elliott, he and I could talk about that, perhaps as an addendum to our as-of-then untranscribed interview. I sent him an e-mail explaining that I had not transcribed the interview, but that I would like to talk to him about Eye Candy before I proceeded. I told him that I intended to blog about the magazine, and I didn’t think it would be fair of me to do that without trying to speak with him. I couldn’t claim that I didn’t have his e-mail address or phone number, so I could not rail on the magazine in good conscience without granting him the opportunity to have his say. I asked him to reply to my e-mail by the close of business the following day or I would proceed without his take on things.

Elliott never got back to me after that e-mail. I gave a couple of days after the “deadline” I set for him to contact me, but still no word from him. I was okay with that. But I didn’t write about Eye Candy. That was partially because I was seriously busy–between holidays, travels, family deaths, and occasional sleep, it’s been a helluva couple months–and also because of professional concerns. Aside from this isolated dealing with Elliott, I have varying acquaintance with two writers listed on Eye Candy’s masthead. Through blogging and a couple of mutual friends, I have a friendly corresponding relationship with kris ex. And Khalid Salaam and I worked in the same office on campus when I was in college. I’d hate to overreact when I wrote something and slam those cats in the process, so I was content not to write about that at all to play it safe. These days, I don’t have the energy for straightening out misunderstandings.

So why am I telling you this now? Well, I was at Bol’s site this afternoon and saw something about the latest issue of XXL. It seems that Elliott is upset with people that did interviews with him but had not posted them. In fact, let’s get some good block quoting action going up in this piece.

..shout outs to all the bloggers and rap Web sites across America–the ones who interviewed me about my album, XXL Raps Vol. 1, and ran typo-filled interviews, and even the fuckers who didn’t have the courage and/or the skills to post them up. Thanks for wasting my time and yours. I don’t talk too fast, you just listen too slow…

First, I don’t think it would take anyone much courage to publish this interview. I wasn’t talking to Salman Rushdie or Sammy the Bull. I was talking to an editor of a magazine about his publication and issues relating to his business. That didn’t take much heart to do. As for the skills, I’m not sure that there’s a need to pick on anyone about how well (s)he types. It’s typing, man. And at the risk of sounding defensive on that one, he ain’t talking about me. I’ve been told I type like I’m possessed by a poltergeist. Anyone that IMs with me can verify that.

The last line was interesting. That was a reference to the many people who have commented on how loquacious the YN can be. Elliott can talk, but that’s not a problem. Interviewing folks is often like pulling teeth, so it’s cool to talk to someone you can converse with as opposed to having to interview. While that meant I had a forty-five minute tape to deal with–and who knows how many hours of transcription that would be without a fancy machine–it also meant I had a really interesting conversation.

So why’d we have to take it to the pages of the magazine? That’s a fantastic question. I’ll apologize to everybody about not running my man’s interview because I went back on my word, and that’s something I pride myself on not doing. That was a really bad look on my part, even if my plan later changed.

But let’s get real, folks. There’s no other reason for not running that interview than me getting swamped by my workload. Because of the work I do, I can’t predict what work’s going to look like. I start just about every week with nothing to do, and then I have to go find work as my stomach necessitates. Sometimes it’s a lot and sometimes it’s not. Sometimes–like right now–I’ve got a long-term project to get rolling that I can’t get off the ground that’s demanding an insane amount of my attention.

So since I was referred to indirectly in XXL, I figured I’d let you know why. And that’s even if you didn’t know he was talking about me (and chances are you had no clue at all, I know). Too old and too tired for huffy and puffy tough talk or typical crazy talk. But an explanation of sorts was in order.

So that’s what it is. Check Q and jimi for their interviews with Elliott. Pretty good stuff.

And at last, I’m done.

January 27, 2006

More from N.O.

I no longer have an opinion on New Orleans. I really have no idea what they should do. I just know stuff like this makes my stomach hurt.

New question–without black people and their cultural contributions, why would people even want to come visit?

January 27, 2006

25 Songs I Wish I’d Written

Okay, flipping up the lists. I need to leave the artists alone because I’m quickly running out of artists I feel entirely qualified to talk about. Basically, I don’t want someone to say, “what about (insert song)?”…and I’ve never heard of it. That’s no fun.

So today, I’m going with songs i wish I’d written. Some of them are songs that hit me very personally. Some are just so good that I hope one day to write something as good as those. Various reasons here.

Also, this is easily the least scientific list I’ve done because the scope is so broad. The numbers don’t really reflect much except for those near the top. I’m just going through iTunes and seeing what grabs me immediately. I’m leaving a million people off, but I know you all will be quick to tell me what a moron I am. I am, after all, a moron.
Continue reading 25 Songs I Wish I’d Written…

January 26, 2006

Random Thoughts From Last Night

1. The Jamie Foxx Special wasn’t the heat.

And I still haven’t seen most of it, but what I saw wasn’t that heat rock. Wasn’t hot. Oh well.

2. UNC is not a tournament team.

Who ever thought we’d see Wes Miller starting at guard at a major Division I school? And who’d think he wouldn’t be the worst starter if that happened?

3. But Carolina might beat Duke.

Maybe those statements are contradictory–since a win over Duke would be a marquee win–but I think they can beat Duke. Why? Because Tyler Hansbrough is a grown man.

4. “Boat Trip” is the worst movie ever.

Yeah, I watched that trash on TBS. What goes through Cuba Gooding Jr.’s mind? Oh, why did I watch it? Because there were scores of beautiful women in that movie. And I couldn’t sleep. Sad thing is that today I can’t stay awake.

5. Jada Pinkett’s band suuuuuuucks.

Hey man, I watched them on Letterman doing that hard rock thing or whatever they’re doing. I asked Ronda Penrice while it was going on–when white people see stuff like that, is it the same as how I feel when I see a really bad white rapper?

6. This is the funniest thing ever.

It’s funny because kids are just cute, honest, and adorable. It’s hilarious because this is really a commercial for an insurance company. Provided by the lovely Ms. Robinson of Rocky Mount, NC.

7. I knew I wasn’t gonna wanna get up and do legs and abs in the morning.

And I haven’t. Gonna have to go during peak time. No good.

8. The Hawk has arrived in NC.

If you’re not familiar with the Hawk, listen to Lou Rawls’ “Dead-End Street.” And if you have it online, please send it to me.

I’m done.

January 25, 2006

Jamie Foxx Tonight

Chances are you’ve received a forward about Jamie Foxx’s NBC special tonight. I generally disregard forwards–and really have the people that send them if they’re not really funny or informative–but this one was interesting.

NBC is not doing any marketing and publicity on Jamie’s Music Special on NBC because he stood his ground and wouldn’t have any white guests as they requested. [January 25] To make it even worse he had two controversial guest stars that do not fit the “NBC profile” on his show. Tune in to find out who they are. They are purposely putting his show up against the second week of American Idol in hopes that it will fail. This will give them the excuse to never give another black person a music special because “it doesn’t work.” Let’s show them that it does work, and that we support each other. Tivo Idol and watch Jamie.

So let’s talk about this, shall we?
Continue reading Jamie Foxx Tonight…

January 24, 2006

Soundtracks, Where Hath Thou Gone?

So I’m sitting here listening to the Do The Right Thing Soundtrack. It is the answer to the perpetually difficult question–what’s the last album you actually bought. I actually bought this on half.com a couple of weeks ago. Why? Because I couldn’t find two of my favorite songs on here–Keith John’s “Why Don’t We Try” and Take 6’s “Don’t Shoot Me”–on download.

Now, I’m getting all nostalgic and things. Is it just me, or have there been a paltry amount of good soundtracks lately? The Get Rich or Die Tryin’ Soundtrack bangs, even though I’ve only listened to it once. Beyond that, I cannot think of another soundtrack this millennium that I purchased. Not a one. I may pick up that Garden State, though.

Am I missing something? There was a time when hip hop soundtracks were that fire. The early to mid-nineties were a gold era for that stuff. The two that immediately come to mind are Menace II Society and Who’s the Man? For the lovers in the house there were classics from Boomerang and Love Jones.

Where’s the heat, movie people? What you got for us?

And am I missing something?

Here’s why this is important to me–the dope soundtrack can pull together so many good things from so many good people, making for a dynamite compilation. Or, you can have something like Menace, which was used to showcase the sound of both a label and a region (Jive and the West Coast, respectively, though the best song on that record was “Pocket Full of Stones” by UGK).

But after a banner year of records (which I definitely will say 2005 was, the first great year for albums since I got out of college), it’s time to bring the soundtrack back. Or maybe just a good movie. Or something.

Before I go, I have to report that Sneaky Pete has torn ligaments in his ankle, rendering him unable to play for a couple of weeks. Send flowers or something.

January 23, 2006

The Babas

Well, as I wait for my light breakfast to move enough for me to work out without my stomach cramping, I figure I should let you know a few of the things in the blogosphere that I dig. Categories are self-explanatory. These are….The Babas.

Favorite blog - The Cynical Ones.

Brought to us by Houston’s own Michael Arceneaux. Mike worries me with his ups and downs. Actually, that’s not true. Mike worries me because even his ups are tinged with a certain acidic quality. But no matter what, he writes smart and funny stuff, and he always manages to get straight to the heart of an issue with a voice that commands attention. He’s got the gift, whether he realizes it or not.

Favorite Music Blog - Honey Soul.

Not even close. If you click and go, I won’t even have to explain that to you.

Favorite Political Blog - Cobb.

Seeing as Cobbski is a self-described conservative libertarian, he and I don’t agree on too much. But he’s a conservative because of logic more than emotion–from what I glean, at least–which means that he gives me things to think about, frequently things I’d never otherwise consider. And I’m more about learning than hearing an echo.

Favorite “This Is What I’m Up To” Blog - RPM.

She’s just always interesting, and it’s hard to explain. What sold me was that after I got to know her, I realized that how she writes and how she lives, breathes, and thinks are very similar. That takes a particular level of comfort, especially considering her willingness to show certain vulnerabilities. Plus she bought me a UT shirt I’ve been looking for since September.

Favorite Sports Blog - Deadspin.

I even liked these guys when they dissed one of my pieces. Incredibly funny stuff from Will Leitch. Draws about one million hits a month, if I’m not mistaken.

Most Informative Blog - Negrophile.

From George, the man that makes Virtual Bomaniland possible. The love of Negrophile is independent of that, though.

Great blogs I don’t read enough.

ejflavors
Humanity Critic
Rellavent (though I read him frequently)
The Walt Report. I hope you get the chance once to rap with Walt. Sharp, sharp kid.

And I’m gone. Might come back later to tell the story of Saturday’s Dutch Masters game, or I might wait and tell it with whatever happens in tonight’s game.

What to look forward to–I almost had to lay out someone’s child.

January 20, 2006

Wilson Pickett

Wilson Pickett, perhaps the most hardcore of the big Southern stars of the late sixties, passed away yesterday after suffering a heart attack. Til the other side, I suppose.

Pickett’s always been interesting to me. I read a bio online once that said he was the alternative to Otis Redding if you didn’t find Otis to be southern enough. Look, if you don’t find Otis to be southern enough, you must take your grits with pigs feet and barbecue sauce.

But that’s really the case with Wilson. He was that hardcore Southern. Invariably, that cut into his audience, but it also meant a more faithful and devoted audience. The people that love Wilson Pickett’s music love his music, jack.

Reminds me a lot of Scarface and UGK. They’re so Southern that it’s ridiculous, as Texas as anything. Their records have never moved colossal units, but they’ll be able to go gold until 2017 because the people that love them are never going anywhere.

WEll, lemme skip some steps and get to where I wanna go–I do fear a bit that we’re losing musicians that package themselves with that model. It leads to some really great music, so such a thing would be a shame.

Anyway, I figure a couple are probably a little unfamiliar with Pickett, so here’s a great example of how he could flip a record up–his incredible cover of “Hey Jude.” FYI, that’s a young Duane Allman on guitar.

And dont forget to check the Quickie after 9 Eastern.