Goin’ Back, Back

In DC, Music, Twitter, ali on 1 July 2008 tagged California with no comments

Janet - Back (Interlude) “…Now its time to go back, back, back”

The only good interlude on the entire album.

Nelly Furtado - Wait For You “…until you finish your fight”

Its the beat man, its the beat.

The Notorious B.I.G. - Goin Back to Cali

Its a mutherfuckin’ anthem.

O.A.R. - Love and Memories (Live Album Version) “…but now I’m stuck inside a memory”

Earth Day ‘08.

Nas - Can’t Forget About You

“…Not a thing’s gonna break me. I’m that lifestyle, I’m that spot. That’s my past that made me hot”

A declaration.

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication

Its a mutherfuckin’ lifestyle.

Brandy - Finally “…Stop. Look aroound”

A stand-out track and the end of a search.

The Killers - When You Were Young (Jacques Lu Cont’s Thin White Duke Radio Edit)

“…on the back of a hurricane that started turnin’…”

Their first singles always hook me.

Janet Jackson feat. Fabolous, Fatman Scoop, Khia and JD - So Excited (Remix)

“…I’m back, baby.”

In the words of Ms. Jackson “…is how I feel”

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Dani California

Its a mutherfuckin’ resurrection

Oasis - Wonderwall

Jay-Z schooled Oasis. somehow its fitting. Peace and much love to ‘ya DC

“…I don’t believe that anybody feels the way I do about you now”

Pearl Jam - Given to Fly (Live at Lollapalooza 2007) “…arms wide open with the sea as his floor”

Drug addiction, smoking, Jesus, no matter what the subject matter may actually be its a genius song.

Jay -Z - Change Clothes “…What Face is to Houston”

HOVA, Pharrell, the beat. Its over.

M.I.A. - Bamboo Banga

The only girl that could get me through 1333 days

“…Comin’ back wit POWA! POWA!”

Lil Wayne - Lollipop “If you see us in the club…”

Gotta hear it in a club.

Ahmad Zahir - Zim Zeem Zim “…Khona Koja daari?”

Bachai Afghan.

Audioslave - Like a Stone

sluglife.

Diddy ft. Ciara and Big Boi - Wanna Move

yes, I do

Kanye West feat. Chris Martin - Homecoming “…do you think about me now and then?”

Listened to this on repeat the entire ride going from the Bay to Sacramento for the last time.

Tiga - (Far From) Home

Family is foeva.

Sir Salman : Salman Rushdie Knighted

In Iran, Islam, india, news, novel, politics, religion on 25 June 2008 tagged Iran, Khomeini, Salman Rushdie, Satanic Verses with no comments

Salman Rushdie was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II today for his lifelong body of work.

“The stance of the Islamic Republic of Iran with regard to this issue has not changed from what was put forward by the Imam Khomeini,” foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said.

Much ado about nothing, he’s not even that good of a writer.

BNW SMMR MXTPE.

In Janet, MJ, Music on 25 June 2008 tagged 112, 50 Cent, Annie, Benyamin, Danity Kane, Estelle, Jay-z, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Lloyd, Lupe Fiasco, M.I.A., Madonna, mixtape, Nina Simone, Notorious B.I.G., Robin Thicke, Robyn, summer, Teddybears, The Bird and the Bee with no comments

1. Estelle - Shine

Swizz Beats comes through with the soundtrack to your summertime rooftop party. Just add unexpected rain to banish the blistering heat and you have a definitive summer jam.

“Just ’cause it glitters it don’t mean that its gold”

2. Danity Kane - Damaged (DJ Richie Rich X-Mix Remix)

The guilty pleasure that brings back the old skool freestyle vibe complete with a “pretty, pretty Aubrey.” Now if only we could banish Diddy and his nonsensical references to the wisdom of King Solomon’s court.

It’s all about that old skool beat

3. Robin Thicke - Magic

To be a great R&B artist you need two things - a compelling, truthful breakup song and a quintessential summer jam. We all already know Robin Thicke can deliver the breakup song and with the first single off his sophomore LP he proves that he could easily fit in at a rooftop party with Frank Sinatra, Hugh Hefner, Gatsby and Nina Simone.

“I took whatever the devil offered me because I knew he would set me free”

4. M.I.A. - Paper Planes (Scottie B Remix)

A song about immigration is amped up into a club jam as images of a former militant dancing the night away at Baobab race past.

“People are people, why can’t you see M.I.A. just want to take your money”

5. Teddybears - Yours to Keep (Featuring Annie)

The perfect poolside song that also serves well as you are walking in with the rising of the sun.

“You can sit and watch as my hair grows”

6. Lil Wayne - Mrs. Officer (featuring Bobby Valentino)

A must listen from one of the greatest albums of the last decade. It’s all about Bobby V’s siren noises. Note to Weezy, when you find out where female officers like this actually hang let us know.

“And all she want me to do is fuck the po-lice”

7. The Bird and the Bee - How Deep is Your Love

Gettin’ in at 4AM? Put this on.

the “da, da, das”

8. Lloyd featurng Lil’ Wayne - Girls All Around the World

Lloyd follows up last year’s Get It Shawty with an even greater throwback summer jam complete with a Lil Wayne cameo - PERFECT.

“You’re like my favorite song, just want to turn you on”

9. Nina Simone - Take Care of Business (Pilooski Remix)

The perfect song to strut around with that Alfie swagger.

“I said to you you are God’s gift to all womanhood”

10. Janet - Luv

Though not nearly as great as anything pre-2002, its a fun, simple, dance song with a Hip Hop groove.

“I think I should sue ‘ya”

11. MJ - Off The Wall

‘Cause that’s how summer should be

“‘Cause with the party people night and day, livin’ crazy that’s the only way”

12. Madonna - She’s Not Me

A good song from a terrible album.

“If someone wants to pimp your style”

13. 112 - Only You [(Bad Boy Remix) [Featuring the Notorious B.I.G. & Mase]

Classic summer jam

“JESUS, the Notorious just please us wit your lyrical thesis”

14. Robyn - Bum Like You

Robyn’s proves she’s downass pop chick.

“I would post your bail bond when cash was tight”

15. 50 Cent - Outta Control

I hate the man, but there’s very few better songs to head out to the club with.

“the fact is I got more than I flaunt”

16. Lupe Fiasco Feat. Matthew Santos - Fighters

From wackass rapper to the future of Hip Hop. Perfect song to get low.

“Is it cars? Is it girls? Is it money? The world?

17. Jay-Z - Blue Magic (Ft. Pharrell)

One of the greatest alive proves why he’s worthy of that title.

“No matter how you slice it, I’m your motherfuckin’ guy”

18. Benyamin - I’m In Love (A’shegh Shodam)

Last summer was all about Arash, but this summer will belong to Benyamin and his dreamy declaration of love.

“ashegh shodam, kash nadune”

19. Kanye West Feat. T-Pain - Good Life

Welcome.

“…Or the BAY”

When Good Videos Meet Terrible Songs

In Music on 19 June 2008 with no comments

First off, unless your name is Janet Jackson and your brother is Michael Jackson, being someone’s sibling should not automatically give you a record deal. Let’s not forget that Michael was a megastar and Janet had been performing since she was 7 years old.

I digress.

How on earth a terrible wanna-be girl group throwback song (note to Solange listen to THIS and THIS) ended up with a pretty badass video that co-opts the turmoil, propaganda, and iconography of the last half century I’ll never know, but if you turn off the sound and pretend Solange doesn’t exist its a pretty dope video.

As the director, Melina Matsoukas, hasn’t directed anything interesting since Eve’s Tambourine, which inspired Kanye West during the Stronger video shoot, you have to wonder how much input Solange may have had in the conceptualization of this video and if she truly is the more innovative Knowles sister?

Then again, this video does look an awful lot like this one. Maybe a lack of originality does run in the family after all…

Solange - I Decided Music Video

Obama Campaign and Islam

In Islam, politics, religion on 19 June 2008 tagged Barack Obama, Election with no comments

Pushback and the Politico are both reporting on the actions of two volunteers at a Detroit rally trying to keep two women in hijabs out of camera view.

Though I agree that Obama shouldn’t be held personally responsible for the actions of two of his campaign’s numerous volunteers I am glad to know that I am not the only one who takes issue with the way Barack Obama responded to rumors of him being a Muslim.

As the candidate of purported change both in his rhetoric and the very fact that he is the first official African American presidential nominee from a major party, Obama has the chance to address and challenge many of the nation’s fears and stereotypes of 2.8 million Americans, but he has instead distanced himself from Islam and Muslims.

I don’t think we can or should hold him or his campaign personally responsible for the actions of two of his campaign’s numerous volunteers but I have always been weary of his handling of the rumors that he is or was a Muslim.

He has the opportunity to stand up and make a big statement in a time when such a diverse population has been demonized and grouped together, but has yet to step up to the plate and live up to the change he so eloquently espouses.

Scare Tactic Politicizing

In politics on 19 June 2008 tagged fear tactics with no comments

PG&E? Pepco? Your low income? One of them could be killing your baby.

The moral of the story: your baby could die because Pepco is evil and / or you buy generic Gerber.

The politics of fear guided by pointing out the obvious. WOO!

They forgot to leave out that Pepco was a terrorist organization and PG&E has WMDs hidden in their caves.

Lil Wayne Proves the Power of Good Hype

In Music on 18 June 2008 tagged Lil Wayne with no comments

“the majors are going to start their global hunt for Lil Wayne clones, oh, right about now.”

-Idolator on Lil Wayne’s huge first week sales of The Carter III

Contemporary Quote of the Day

In politics on 16 June 2008 tagged John McCain with no comments

“The Republicans have a problem. America is not ready for another white male president.”

-The dude from the Huffington Post

Throwback Quote of the Day

In Film, politics on 16 June 2008 tagged Clueless, John McCain with no comments

Note to John McCain:

“It doesn’t say R.S.V.P. on the Statue of Liberty.”

Signed,

-That chick from Clueless

Will Maya be M.I.A.?

In Music, news on 15 June 2008 tagged Bonnaroo, M.I.A. with no comments

The Times is reporting that M.I.A. declared three times during her performance at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee that it would be her last.

“This is my last show,” the rapper M.I.A. announced from the stage of That Tent, “and I’m glad I’m spending it with all my hippies.”

Here’s hoping it isn’t true and that Ms. Arulpragasam finally masters the proper use of the volume controls at her live shows.