(3/10) Expanding your Music Vocabulary

So my second post is about: Expanding your Music Vocab (LOL sorry about the dramatiks)... but I truly believe that constantly expanding what we listen to is good for the soul. Get out of your Rap/Pop/R&B mode and branch out!

So, here are some of my favorite musicians I have recently discovered within the last year. These artists are truly amazing to me! They are different, they take chances, and have unique sounds. They're undefined!... and I've always felt that the best music is undefined. Try them on for size:

Theophilus London- A rapper like you've never heard before. The fact that Theo samples tracks is the only traditional thing about his stance as a rapper... but don't expect to have heard the originals. I've seen this guy more than a few times and he blows me away. Download This Charming Mixtape and prepare to be hooked.

Website: http://theophiluslondon.wordpress.com/

Be's Pick: "TNT"

Janelle Monae- Imagine if you had a blender and you added the following: a little Erykah Badu, a little Prince, a lot of Andre 3000, and just a pinch of Lauryn Hill then poured Count Bassie on top... You would get something like Jane (recipe subjective of course). An eclectic sound with a little old and a little new. Her live performances are unforgettable as well.

Website: http://www.jmonae.com/

Be's Pick(s): "Lettin' Go" and "You Are My Everything"

Santigold- aka SantOgold is one of my new favorites as well! For those of you who don't know, she's sort of like a black MIA with the swag of Brooklyn, NY behind her. You may have heard her sampled by Drake and Weezy in "Unstoppable" or on "Brooklyn We Go Hard (Remix) with Jay Z, Lil Kim, etc. Love this gurl's music. So creative and innovative!

Website: http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/17316664/artist_to_watch_santogold

Be's Pick: Shove It

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Also, look up MGMT, Passion Pit,

and Heart's Revolution

if you got some time on your hands.

Oh! and for a one-stop shop

for a free playlist featuring more of this fresh/urban/undefined music, Click Here for 22 free songs sponsored by Nylon Mag!

*On side: Heart's Revolution and Passion Pit (respectively). Pics taken by moi at the Diesel Music Tour

Five Reasons Why Black People Aren't Taken Seriously

Reason Number 5.

We're known to be "naturally entertaining". That's an m'effin issue in itself! Because of the media endorsing rappers like Soulja Boy, Black people all over the world are known not necessarily for our acheivements, but because we make catchy songs with dances to match. Lovely. We need to start making sure more positive portrayals of Blacks are being showcased in the media. I say, less B.E.T. rappers and video vixxens, and more Obama!

Reason Number 4.

We can't agree on what we want to be. We can't come together and decided if we want to be more like our white counterparts or simply maintain a tasteful culture that can be more socially accepted. What do i mean by that? Example: the new Disney Princess is not much like the others except for the fact that is was made in 2-D. Our Disney princess has a very distinct "Black voice". This presents a problem for me because Mulan and Jasmine sound very mainstream. If we're going to get a traditional Disney princess, she should sound like the other ones. Why couldn't she at least have a happy-medium voice like Regina King or something? That's my stance, but on the other side, if she didn't have this "Black voice", people would complain that she's too White-washed. Let's get it together people! What do we really want?

Reason Number 3.

... going along with number four, We can't stick together worth a damn nickel! With all of the dark skin vs light skin nonsense and African American vs "real Africans" debate, how can other races take us seriously? Let's not forget how Black people segregate themselves between who's :down: and who's :not:. LOL stop making fun of Carlton Banks! Accept that there are many styles of "Blackness". Being "hood" isn't the same as bein Black.

Reason Number 2.

We easily forget who came before us. What about DuBois, Frederick Douglass, MLK, Malcolm X? Would they be happy with where we are as a people? Or on a MUCH smaller scale, what about J.J. Fad, Ready for the World, and Kurtis Blow? Where are these pioneers now? You don't see the Caucasians forgetting about Led Zeppelin or Guns N Roses do you? Let's take the time to look back and do better.

Reason Number 1.

... in the tradition of number five: Hurricane Chris. Period.

In Tha City

So... i have a lot of catching up to do with this blog lateness. First, I would like to put yall up on:

BE'S SEVEN M'EFFIN GOOD THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT NYC - FROM A LONG TERM VISITOR'S PERSPECTIVE

(Catchy title right?!)

7. You WILL Lose All Yo Damn Money

If you've ever visited, you will know how expensive it is to live here. You think it's because of all the tourist attractions... HELL NO! A meal here is at least $10 unless you come across some miracle restaurant. Sheesh!

6. Time Square Sucks

Speaking of tourist attractions... they all SUCK. If you are trying to get anywhere serious (ie. work, subway, internship, meeting, appointment, etc.), you will get no where fast if you are anywhere near a tourist attraction. If accidentally cross over to broadway and 7th, I immediately duck into a side street.

5. You Don't Have to Look Both Ways

I love this! All through our formative years our parents (and legal guardians) make it a point to tell us "look both ways before you cross the street!!) Here in NYC we can say "PISS OFF" because most streets are One-Way and therefore, one would only have to look that one way to see if they can cross the street... just try breaking the habit though...

4. People are Crazy

From the excessive amounts of people with mental disabilities set loose on the harsh streets of the city to the construction workers that feel an uncontrollable urge to comment on how well they thing you look, you will be sure to shake your head in disappointment at least once per day.

3. You NEED an ID. Period

So... I know it's illegal for youngsters under 21, but an I.D. is an absolute necessity for the "city that never sleeps". Nightclubs, Bars, Concert Venues, and even some Restaurants require that piece of magic plastic that tells the doorman "Let me in you judgmental prick!" Don't let em take it away either, because where a fake fails in one place, it will succeed in another. Just last week, an actual giant tried to take my ID. I promptly snatched it back and therefore got into the Questlove DJ set at Kiss & Fly that changed my life!

2. Go'n Getcha Some

This title is in honor of Big Sean's recently-released music video! ...but for all of you fly folk out there, New York will make you want to step your game up. Everyone here has mad style and come with it every day. No slackin! This trendy city will get ya; so be on your best wardrobe behavior... I admit I decided to go on a shopping spree after being here 2 days.

1. You Won't Want to Leave

New York is a simply intoxicating city. Period. If you like people, beautiful architecture, a diverse array of cultures, places to play, places to chill, amazing food, and raw american capitalism - you won't want to stray too far from one of the 5 boroughs. I seriously considered nixing my final year at the wonderful University of Michigan to stay and sham... Too bad my parents would come get me Taken-style and bring me back to class personally... shambles.