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Monday, March 21, 2011

That's not a friend!!

 How many of you have shared your goals and or accomplishments with someone whom you thought was a friend?  You  got all excited about that new idea you had or that opportunity that has come your way and you think to yourself.

"Hey  I feel so good, I need to share this news with my people."

You run home get on the phone or meet up with them itching to share your good news or ideas, then just like that bam they have shot you down.

"Oh you shouldn't do that."  "I would never do that." or "That's is too hard."  

A few years ago I was thinking about attending the prestigious Julliard School of music to take piano lessons.  I had planned to enroll in their evening program.  Excited about the news I told a so - called friend my plans.   Before I could complete my sentence he went on to tell how he never liked that school, how it was a waste of time and not really needed to learn how to play piano or get into the music industry.  I never said it was the only option it was just something that caught my interest. Julliard had some classes that I thought would have been cool.   

For a split second I almost let his comments get to me. Then I realized something,  he never attended the school, can't play any instruments, nor has he ever been in the music industry to know exactly what it takes to be successful in it.  

The most interesting thing that struck me was he never gave me an alternative.  He didn't like Julliard but he didn't suggest another school.  That's when it hit me, dude was a hater.  This was someone who claimed he wanted to be a lawyer but never made any attempts to go to law school.  It's one thing to give your opinion and another to just hate on a person.  I realized nothing that came out of his mouth was positive and it wasn't with just me it was with anyone who was pursuing something.   This was a perfect example of misery loving company. My advice to you is be careful who you share your dreams with, some people are not really in your corner.  When the chips are down they love you but when you show signs of greatness that's when the problems start.  Choose your friends wisely. 

Snoop Dogg, Lay Low featuring Nate Dogg

Nate Dogg remembered.



It shocked and saddened when  I heard the news that hip hop crooner Nate Dogg passed away on March 15, 2010.   I had been hearing reports that his health was failing over the years but didn't know how serious it was.  The man is responsible for making so many hip hop songs hotter with his smooth voice and catchy lyrics. "Hold up wait!!!"  I know everybody knows that line. lol
Featured on countless hit songs Nate Dogg is definitely the king of the hooks.   His signature g -funk swag will always be remembered . Below is a list of some of my favorites.  RIP Nate Dogg.

Ain't No Fun (If the Homies Can't Have None)" Snoop Doggy Dogg featuring  Nate Dogg (1993's Doggystyle album)

Regulate, Warren G featuring Nate Dogg (from 1994's Regulate ... G-Funk Era).

Area Codes, Ludacris featuring Nate Dogg (from 2001's Word of Mouf).

Xxplosive,  Dr. Dre featuring Nate Dogg (from 1999's The Chronic 2001 album)

The Next Episode,  Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg (from 1999's The Chronic 2001 album)

Can't Deny It,   Faboulous featuring Nate Dogg (from 2001's  Ghetto Fabolus album)

21 Questions, 50 Cent featuring Nate Dogg (from 2003's Get Rich or Die Tryin' album).


Warren G, Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg


Nate Dogg and Ludacris at  The Grammys


RIP Nate Dogg

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Rest in Peace Biggie Smalls: The Notorious B.IG. Remembered 1972 -1997

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Christopher Wallace better known to the world as Biggie Smalls and or The Notorious B.I.G.,  released his debut album Ready to Die in 1994  becoming a major rap icon.  Biggie ruled the charts with big hits such as Juicy, Big Poppa, Warning One More Chance and many more.   He launched the careers of  the group Junior Mafia which featured Lil Cease and Lil Kim who went on to become a rap superstar.   Sadly on March 9, 1997, just 15 days before the release of his second album, Life After Death, Biggie was gunned down in LA.   I remember being in my sophomore year of college when the news broke, hoping it wasn't true.

 I remember being shocked, saddened and disgusted, we had already lost Tupac about six months prior.  This was getting out of hand.  The East Coast/West Coast rivalry had caused the death of two of Hip Hop's major players, teaching us a valuable lesson in the process.   Despite various rumors on who killed him, Biggie's murder remains unsolved.  Today he is considered a rap legend and one of Hip- Hop's greatest rappers.  With several posthumous albums and a  film on his life released in 2009 his legacy lives on.  R.I.P. BIGGIE.







BIG's Debut Album Ready to Die.  Hits included  Pig Poppa, Juicy,
Warning etc.
 

The album Life after the Death was released 15 days after his death and spanned several hits on the billboard charts including Mo, Money Mo Problems, Notorious Thugs and Hypnotize. Other classics include Kick in the Door, What's beef? and Kick in the door.  The album title and theme was kind of errie giving the circumstances.

Rest in Peace

Biggie Smalls One More Chance (In HD)

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Sounds Of Blackness - Hold On (Change Is Comin')

Here's a blast from the past. It's the remix version of Hold on (Change is Comin') by the Sounds Of Blackness.   I have a special bond with this song. The lyrics have always moved and inspired me. I remember sitting in my room as a kid singing this song,  giving one of my famous bedroom concerts, pretending I was performing in front of millions.  Back then I was too shy to sing in front of people, now today I have sung this song countless of times including at a gospel concert.  Isn't that cool?  Enjoy the video!!!

Friday, March 4, 2011

Back to school, the follow up!

 Well as you all know, I started a graduate program in January at the prestigious Berklee College of Music,  majoring in Music Business and Technology.  I have to tell you that things are going good so far,  a brother is holding it down. So far I have been keeping up with my classes  and my assignments. It's been a challenge with the million and one other things that I do but  somehow I am still doing it.   I have received an  A in all of my assignments.   Things are looking good. 

I know awhile back I kept saying that I wanted to go back to school and I am so proud of myself for sticking to my guns and making it happen.  I am learning so much, the Music Publishing course has been so informative,  I have been pumped with so much knowledge that it's exhausting. LOL  (In a good way).  Damn it feels good to stick to your guns and actually do something you set out to do.