Continuously ignored by local and national elections alike, Blacks, Latinos and other inner city minorities may want to take a page out of Massachusetts and vote for the populist Independent leaning candidate. After all, that was the same movement that got the hard left Democrat Barack Obama elected as President only a year ago. With an economy well over 10% nationally and currently 18% in New York City alone, Middle class families and minorities are feeling the pressure and finding it harder to make ends meet. In Middle America, the question become more "Do I have enough to feed my family and put gas in the tank to drive into the city to find work?".
In African-American epicenters such as New York City, Chicago and DC, economic hardships are highly uncommon. In NYC, Prior to the economic meltdown, Unemployment in the African American community was already at 10% and 8% in the Latino community. In 2010 it stands at 18% unemployment citywide, 23% statewide and if you like numbers check this out; 64% of the African American community is unemployed as of 2008 with many of their jobs not looking to return to their communities and families. Yet time and time again we hear of promises to bring jobs back, create green jobs, tax cuts for people making below a certain amount. Lately, what we have seen are bonuses for people making those 100k jobs in the same industries that got us into this mess on the backs of people that didn't have to begin with. The taxpayers are furious. More is being taken from them and nothing is being given back.
Regardless, if you're a Republican or Democrat. If you're a minority, regardless of money status, you are considered Americas bastard child. If Blacks (that vote) whom makes up the US population switched to the Independence Party. You would see major changes in inner cities. The power is not in how many Republicans show up to the polls, how many Democrats show up to the polls. It's about how many (IND) you can woo. Independents in America make up 10% of the electorate and are the ones that decide elections. If you cant win Independents, you've lost the race. Since the late 70s Blacks in inner cities have felt ignored by their political leaders on both aisles. Many blacks are registered Democrats. So how does 2010 & 2012 look for the people you voted for in the 2008 & 09 elections? Have they been holding up to their half of the bargain? The next question I pose is what if all minorities switched from being a Democrat and voted for a populist Independent? Independents (like Joe Liebermann of Connecticut and Bernie Sanders of Vermont) are great at holding up votes on bills if it does not satisfy the populist needs of their constituents. We can expect a lot of this from Scott Brown of Massachusetts as well. This is why I think it's time for Minorities of all backgrounds (gays, lesbians, blacks, latinos) to vote Independent, so that they finally get their voices heard and not shoved in the back of all the noise and clutter of issues that frankly doesn't matter to them.
Barack Obama famously quoted as saying "I'd rather be a good 1 term president than a sub-par 2 term president". Dear Mister President, what if your one term looks a lot like your first year and all of the sudden the same people that voted you into the white house decided to vote against both their democratic and republican congressmen and senators and ultimately voted you out of office for lets say, an Independent candidate that actually listens to the concerns of the people. What would that concern be? Oh Yeah J.O.B.S!!!! Part of being a good leader is being a good listener and right now you are not being a good leader or a good listener. Would you be a good listener if you too like many underpaid minorities were left without a job? Would you be a good listener if you too like many Middle Class families were put out of their homes onto the streets? I hear it gets pretty cold in Chicago ya know. The Economy is tired of being the side-ho to your Health Care agenda and so are Americans.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
"Friends & Lovers" Part VI
On the way back from Lenox Mall, much of the tension between Dion and Andre had passed. The comfort level was back again. Andre felt bad for making Dion cry in public. He hung the pictures that they took together in the photo booth attached to one of his car ornaments.
"Andre"
"Yeah.."
"Have you ever been in a relationship before, like ever been in love before?"
Andre pulled over the car onto the shoulder. This took Dion back a little as he wasn't sure what was going on. Andre took a deep breath and the furrows of his forehead cringed. Dion became concerned as he thought once again, he had done something wrong.
"Dre what's wrong?" Dion started getting worried
"I'm fine, I'm sorry. I have been in a relationship..." he said "...about two years ago, I fell in love with this dude Chaddrick. He was my first love, my best friend, I thought he was my everything. I would go to school and he'd pick me up and we'd go to his place and just kick it ya know"
"What happened?" Dion said
"I don't know what happened but he started getting controlling and crazy for no reason! He started accusing me of cheating on him and we'd get into fights. My parents thought all the black and blue was from school or football practice or whatever, but they were from him." Andre rested his arm on the lowered window on his side of the car.
"One day I just had enough and I drove away and he followed me. I drove faster and he tried to catch up with me so I got on the highway to get away from him. I was more scared of what would happen if he tried to catch up with. I managed to escape him though. He wasn't able to escape the 18 wheeler though"
"Aww man, I'm so sorry"
"Man fuck him, I found out at the funeral, he was the one cheating on me" Andre said
"What?"
"And ya know that's probably why I can't cry about him now. Why? He didn't love me, he just wanted to control me" Andre said holding back tears.
Andre somewhat felt like he was responsible for Chaddricks death.
"I hadn't talked about what happened with anyone, not even my mom and dad" Andre said
"Wow, I don't know what to say boo"
"You don't have to say anything. You just being here is everything"
It was clear to Dion that while Dre was ready to move on and find somebody to be with, He still had unfinished business with Carl before he can move to the next level with Andre. They've only known each other for a little under a week and it was clear to him that they were possibly still moving too fast.
After nearly a half hour on the road, Dion & Dre pull up the house. Dion takes a deep breath as he know he is going to have confront the man he has been in a relationship for the past few years and confront him with his feelings for Andre.
"I'll wait out here if you need me, yell, call anything" Andre said
"I'll be fine, Carl won't do anything stupid" Dion said
Andre and Dion lean over to kiss each other. Dion opens the door to the car and walks to his front door. Andre immediately turns his atention to Carls vehicle.. He thought to himself, hmmm thats a familiar looking car. The car looked familiar to him and he didn't know why and it finally came to him but he didn't want to believe it. He picks up his phone to call his roommate Trey. Trey picks up the phone and lowers the volume on his television.
"Yooooo" Trey said in his deep southern voice
"Ayo Trey, that dude that you be having coming over...Carl, what car does he drive?"
"A grey 2006 Nissan, why?"
"I think something messy is about to go down"
"You always think somebody is being messy"
"No seriously, dude is messy"
"Whatever nigga" Trey said in mid yawn
"Trey we both know how you get down, all I'm gonna ask you is this, have y'all been using protection"
"Nigga that's none of your business what I be doing"
"Come on now this ain't none of your young ass punks, I think the dude you been fuckin with is my dudes boyfriend"
"Well that ain't got shit to do with me, that's their problem and you oughta stay out of it it too"
"We'll talk about this later"
"Ain't shit to talk about, I ain't being bothered with them folks mess, fuck outta here"
Trey clearly upset on the other end of the phone, hung up on Andre. Andre is now confused as to whether he should knock on the door or stay outside like Dion asked.
Dion slowly walks into his living room to see Carl sitting on the couch. The tension between the two of them is extremely thick.
"Carl" Dion said with a nervousness in his voice
"Hey baby" Carl said with a smile and a slight nervousness in his voice
Dion didn't respond, he just looked at his boyfriend. Something was odd, wrong and different about him. He didn't appear to be the confident boyfriend that he once had been.
"I've missed you baby" Carl said in a soft voice
Something was wrong because Dion could feel it. Carl was rather unusual acting but Dion sat down on the couch next to him.
"So what's been going on?"
"Nothing"
"Nothing?"
"What are we doing Carl?"
"What do you mean?"
"Have we been loving each other or Have we been just putting on one big show"
"What are you talking about?"
"Our relationship has been going south ever since you been taking all these trips"
"Baby I been doing it for you, for us!"
"Well neither one of us is benefiting from that"
"What are you talking about?"
"Carl I think it's time that we end it for real"
"Baby we can work this out"
"I've been seeing someone else"
"I know"
"What?"
"I saw you two together in bed this morning"
"Is it because I wouldn't let you fuck me? Is that what it was?"
"What?...Carl no! it's not about who's the top of who's the bottom, Our relationship was more than just who was fucking who and who was taking it. It became one-sided. Everything became more about you then it was about us, ya know You and I.. If it didn't concern you, you weren't interested."
"Give me a chance to at least make a change"
"You've said that before Carl, you're selfish and I let you remain that way with me. People are supposed to grow in relationships but I let you be usual self"
"Baby what can I do to make this work"
"It's over Carl. It was over for a long time. Neither one of us saw it coming"
"So you about to up and leave and move on to the next thing that makes you feel good?"
Dion's phone rings and it's Dre. Dion picks up the phone looking directly at Carl.
"Baby, Carls been cheating on you this whole time. I just found out he's been fucking with my roommate. I just got off the phone with Trey"
"WHAT?" Dion became aggitated by the news
"My roommate is HIV+. I'm not trying to scare you but I know my roommate and he's not responsible at all. I think you and I should get tested just to make sure"
"Are you sure"
"I'm very sure"
"Baby I'll be out in a minute"
Carl became angry at Dion calling another man baby, What he didn't expect was Dion to punch him in the face so hard that his nose began to gush blood. Dion was never the angry type nor the type that fought. Dion at the same time was no punk either. He hit Carl so hard that his nose began to throb.
"What The Fuck!"
"Trey...who's Trey?"
"I don't know who the fuck you're talking about and what was that about"
Carl held his nose trying to stop the blood but there was too much running down his nose. Dion picks up Carls blackberry that was sitting on the table and began peering through the contacts list.
"If I find anyone name with Trey or Tremaine in this phone"
The first name that appears on the screen is Trey from College Park 678-229-6261. Dion then drops the blackberry and stares at Carl.
"I want you gone when I come back"
"Babe!" Andre yells and nudges Dion as they're waiting for their test results
"Huh" Dion woke up out of his daze reflecting on earlier events
"She is talking to us"
Standing in front of the two genetlemen was Nurse Jacqueline Brown. Earlier Dre joked and called her Nurse Jackie. Wearing a lab coat and a hair style resembling Michelle Obama and simple earrings, the chocolate brown complexion nurse smiled at the pair.
"Ok gentlemen, I got you're results and I'm pleased to say that both of you came back HIV negative. Negative for syhphillis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes. All negative"
Dion and Andre hugged each other, tears of joys began flowing. The nurse handed them both their papers stating their clean bill of health and walked out to let them gather themselves.
"Marlon and Robert wants us to come over for dinner" Dion calmly sighed
"Does this make us official?" Dre said with a slight smirk
"Let's take it slow. one step. one day at a time...but I got a good feeling about this" Dion as he kissed Dre on his lips "I got a good feeling about you and I"
"Me Too" Dre said.
"Andre"
"Yeah.."
"Have you ever been in a relationship before, like ever been in love before?"
Andre pulled over the car onto the shoulder. This took Dion back a little as he wasn't sure what was going on. Andre took a deep breath and the furrows of his forehead cringed. Dion became concerned as he thought once again, he had done something wrong.
"Dre what's wrong?" Dion started getting worried
"I'm fine, I'm sorry. I have been in a relationship..." he said "...about two years ago, I fell in love with this dude Chaddrick. He was my first love, my best friend, I thought he was my everything. I would go to school and he'd pick me up and we'd go to his place and just kick it ya know"
"What happened?" Dion said
"I don't know what happened but he started getting controlling and crazy for no reason! He started accusing me of cheating on him and we'd get into fights. My parents thought all the black and blue was from school or football practice or whatever, but they were from him." Andre rested his arm on the lowered window on his side of the car.
"One day I just had enough and I drove away and he followed me. I drove faster and he tried to catch up with me so I got on the highway to get away from him. I was more scared of what would happen if he tried to catch up with. I managed to escape him though. He wasn't able to escape the 18 wheeler though"
"Aww man, I'm so sorry"
"Man fuck him, I found out at the funeral, he was the one cheating on me" Andre said
"What?"
"And ya know that's probably why I can't cry about him now. Why? He didn't love me, he just wanted to control me" Andre said holding back tears.
Andre somewhat felt like he was responsible for Chaddricks death.
"I hadn't talked about what happened with anyone, not even my mom and dad" Andre said
"Wow, I don't know what to say boo"
"You don't have to say anything. You just being here is everything"
It was clear to Dion that while Dre was ready to move on and find somebody to be with, He still had unfinished business with Carl before he can move to the next level with Andre. They've only known each other for a little under a week and it was clear to him that they were possibly still moving too fast.
After nearly a half hour on the road, Dion & Dre pull up the house. Dion takes a deep breath as he know he is going to have confront the man he has been in a relationship for the past few years and confront him with his feelings for Andre.
"I'll wait out here if you need me, yell, call anything" Andre said
"I'll be fine, Carl won't do anything stupid" Dion said
Andre and Dion lean over to kiss each other. Dion opens the door to the car and walks to his front door. Andre immediately turns his atention to Carls vehicle.. He thought to himself, hmmm thats a familiar looking car. The car looked familiar to him and he didn't know why and it finally came to him but he didn't want to believe it. He picks up his phone to call his roommate Trey. Trey picks up the phone and lowers the volume on his television.
"Yooooo" Trey said in his deep southern voice
"Ayo Trey, that dude that you be having coming over...Carl, what car does he drive?"
"A grey 2006 Nissan, why?"
"I think something messy is about to go down"
"You always think somebody is being messy"
"No seriously, dude is messy"
"Whatever nigga" Trey said in mid yawn
"Trey we both know how you get down, all I'm gonna ask you is this, have y'all been using protection"
"Nigga that's none of your business what I be doing"
"Come on now this ain't none of your young ass punks, I think the dude you been fuckin with is my dudes boyfriend"
"Well that ain't got shit to do with me, that's their problem and you oughta stay out of it it too"
"We'll talk about this later"
"Ain't shit to talk about, I ain't being bothered with them folks mess, fuck outta here"
Trey clearly upset on the other end of the phone, hung up on Andre. Andre is now confused as to whether he should knock on the door or stay outside like Dion asked.
Dion slowly walks into his living room to see Carl sitting on the couch. The tension between the two of them is extremely thick.
"Carl" Dion said with a nervousness in his voice
"Hey baby" Carl said with a smile and a slight nervousness in his voice
Dion didn't respond, he just looked at his boyfriend. Something was odd, wrong and different about him. He didn't appear to be the confident boyfriend that he once had been.
"I've missed you baby" Carl said in a soft voice
Something was wrong because Dion could feel it. Carl was rather unusual acting but Dion sat down on the couch next to him.
"So what's been going on?"
"Nothing"
"Nothing?"
"What are we doing Carl?"
"What do you mean?"
"Have we been loving each other or Have we been just putting on one big show"
"What are you talking about?"
"Our relationship has been going south ever since you been taking all these trips"
"Baby I been doing it for you, for us!"
"Well neither one of us is benefiting from that"
"What are you talking about?"
"Carl I think it's time that we end it for real"
"Baby we can work this out"
"I've been seeing someone else"
"I know"
"What?"
"I saw you two together in bed this morning"
"Is it because I wouldn't let you fuck me? Is that what it was?"
"What?...Carl no! it's not about who's the top of who's the bottom, Our relationship was more than just who was fucking who and who was taking it. It became one-sided. Everything became more about you then it was about us, ya know You and I.. If it didn't concern you, you weren't interested."
"Give me a chance to at least make a change"
"You've said that before Carl, you're selfish and I let you remain that way with me. People are supposed to grow in relationships but I let you be usual self"
"Baby what can I do to make this work"
"It's over Carl. It was over for a long time. Neither one of us saw it coming"
"So you about to up and leave and move on to the next thing that makes you feel good?"
Dion's phone rings and it's Dre. Dion picks up the phone looking directly at Carl.
"Baby, Carls been cheating on you this whole time. I just found out he's been fucking with my roommate. I just got off the phone with Trey"
"WHAT?" Dion became aggitated by the news
"My roommate is HIV+. I'm not trying to scare you but I know my roommate and he's not responsible at all. I think you and I should get tested just to make sure"
"Are you sure"
"I'm very sure"
"Baby I'll be out in a minute"
Carl became angry at Dion calling another man baby, What he didn't expect was Dion to punch him in the face so hard that his nose began to gush blood. Dion was never the angry type nor the type that fought. Dion at the same time was no punk either. He hit Carl so hard that his nose began to throb.
"What The Fuck!"
"Trey...who's Trey?"
"I don't know who the fuck you're talking about and what was that about"
Carl held his nose trying to stop the blood but there was too much running down his nose. Dion picks up Carls blackberry that was sitting on the table and began peering through the contacts list.
"If I find anyone name with Trey or Tremaine in this phone"
The first name that appears on the screen is Trey from College Park 678-229-6261. Dion then drops the blackberry and stares at Carl.
"I want you gone when I come back"
"Babe!" Andre yells and nudges Dion as they're waiting for their test results
"Huh" Dion woke up out of his daze reflecting on earlier events
"She is talking to us"
Standing in front of the two genetlemen was Nurse Jacqueline Brown. Earlier Dre joked and called her Nurse Jackie. Wearing a lab coat and a hair style resembling Michelle Obama and simple earrings, the chocolate brown complexion nurse smiled at the pair.
"Ok gentlemen, I got you're results and I'm pleased to say that both of you came back HIV negative. Negative for syhphillis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes. All negative"
Dion and Andre hugged each other, tears of joys began flowing. The nurse handed them both their papers stating their clean bill of health and walked out to let them gather themselves.
"Marlon and Robert wants us to come over for dinner" Dion calmly sighed
"Does this make us official?" Dre said with a slight smirk
"Let's take it slow. one step. one day at a time...but I got a good feeling about this" Dion as he kissed Dre on his lips "I got a good feeling about you and I"
"Me Too" Dre said.
Friday, January 8, 2010
SIZE matters...
Lets talk about it. Penis, Dick, Cock, Pene, Bicho, Pinga. Let's be realistic we never hear about a person saying they want a guy with a small or average size penis . Even if the guy has everything going for him, if he can't seem to please his partner with what God gave him, that may be the deal breaker. Ok we already established that, Many of us insist that we are not "hoes" for wanting a man with a sizeable gift but we just "know what we want". Fine.
Lets talk about the guy that wants to be seen for more than for whats in between his legs because guess what, they are out there, and they want love and appreciation for their mind, their spirit and their ability to be a good man to you in your relationship, not just an occasional jumpoff, one night stand or cut buddy. For some people size matters but last night I met someone who was looking for someone who can get pass that. For him personality matters, intelligence matters, connection matters.
I had seen him in his underwear for the first time since knowing him and my eyes pierced up and down his body. He had been working out way more than previously thought and his body was coming together very well. The record scratching moment was when I got his crotch area and realized while he wasn't hard he was extremely well endowed penis, balls the whole works. We weren't going to do anything but I was awfully curious as to what the hell was going on between his legs.
Being the sexually liberated person I am, I made a passing a comment of course about his workout effort but also about him being well endowed. While I expected this be a compliment, this brought out a slight insecurity about it. To be a black man and hung like, one would think it would be considered more than a blessing. For him it has become an absolutely curse. He's a college graduate, lives in a decent neighbourhood, owns his car,smart, young, talented, handsome, works out and has an aspiring career in broadcasting and yet he is looked as a penis with legs. It's very similar to how most men look at women as a face, tits and legs or a face, booty and legs and every thing else seems to come as a secondary priority.
When working out, people often gather around him while he working out just to see his ding a ling flop around in his track pants or even in the early morning when he goes jogging, it's as if his neighbours stalks him with their eyes and while again for some people this may be a huge ego booster for him it's awkward and downright annoying. Try being flagged by lifeguards and beach patrol for "indecent exposure", or better yet accussed of shoplifting because of the inappropriate bulge in his slacks or jeans. Meanwhile this constant harrassment is all a ploy by many to get him "prove" to them that whats in his slacks is the real deal. After speaking to him, I realized that not only is it harrassment, not only is it a nuisance but isn't this illegal? Would you ask a woman to unbutton her blouse to prove that she isn't "hiding merchandise" in her tits? Meeting guys albeit in the club or online is a big enough problem as it is but you know how the tacky size queens are a bit overjoyed when they see a handsome man, a car, nice body, dressed well and a bulge that won't quit. The conversation quickly goes from "so what do you do for a living" to "damn I wanna ride your dick".
I quickly took back my compliment because I wanted to make sure that he knew that I saw him as more than just meat between his legs. He also made me realize it is about how you approach a person that determines the outcome. I know for me, it reinforces my rule that I set back in 2008, that I would keep compliments about someones body to myself! There's something way more genuine about the interaction then hearing or saying "you're so sexy", "damn your body is nice", "you got a fat ass", etc etc etc.
According to him, he didn't take any offense however had it been someone else...then you know it'd be alot different. Luckily, we're just friends
I wrote this because I wanted to bring attention to a subject that is talked about but not looked at from another point of View.
Thoughts?
Lets talk about the guy that wants to be seen for more than for whats in between his legs because guess what, they are out there, and they want love and appreciation for their mind, their spirit and their ability to be a good man to you in your relationship, not just an occasional jumpoff, one night stand or cut buddy. For some people size matters but last night I met someone who was looking for someone who can get pass that. For him personality matters, intelligence matters, connection matters.
I had seen him in his underwear for the first time since knowing him and my eyes pierced up and down his body. He had been working out way more than previously thought and his body was coming together very well. The record scratching moment was when I got his crotch area and realized while he wasn't hard he was extremely well endowed penis, balls the whole works. We weren't going to do anything but I was awfully curious as to what the hell was going on between his legs.
Being the sexually liberated person I am, I made a passing a comment of course about his workout effort but also about him being well endowed. While I expected this be a compliment, this brought out a slight insecurity about it. To be a black man and hung like, one would think it would be considered more than a blessing. For him it has become an absolutely curse. He's a college graduate, lives in a decent neighbourhood, owns his car,smart, young, talented, handsome, works out and has an aspiring career in broadcasting and yet he is looked as a penis with legs. It's very similar to how most men look at women as a face, tits and legs or a face, booty and legs and every thing else seems to come as a secondary priority.
When working out, people often gather around him while he working out just to see his ding a ling flop around in his track pants or even in the early morning when he goes jogging, it's as if his neighbours stalks him with their eyes and while again for some people this may be a huge ego booster for him it's awkward and downright annoying. Try being flagged by lifeguards and beach patrol for "indecent exposure", or better yet accussed of shoplifting because of the inappropriate bulge in his slacks or jeans. Meanwhile this constant harrassment is all a ploy by many to get him "prove" to them that whats in his slacks is the real deal. After speaking to him, I realized that not only is it harrassment, not only is it a nuisance but isn't this illegal? Would you ask a woman to unbutton her blouse to prove that she isn't "hiding merchandise" in her tits? Meeting guys albeit in the club or online is a big enough problem as it is but you know how the tacky size queens are a bit overjoyed when they see a handsome man, a car, nice body, dressed well and a bulge that won't quit. The conversation quickly goes from "so what do you do for a living" to "damn I wanna ride your dick".
I quickly took back my compliment because I wanted to make sure that he knew that I saw him as more than just meat between his legs. He also made me realize it is about how you approach a person that determines the outcome. I know for me, it reinforces my rule that I set back in 2008, that I would keep compliments about someones body to myself! There's something way more genuine about the interaction then hearing or saying "you're so sexy", "damn your body is nice", "you got a fat ass", etc etc etc.
According to him, he didn't take any offense however had it been someone else...then you know it'd be alot different. Luckily, we're just friends
I wrote this because I wanted to bring attention to a subject that is talked about but not looked at from another point of View.
Thoughts?
Friday, January 1, 2010
Artists That Will Survive & Wane in the new Decade.
Artists To Continue to Into The New Decade
T.I.
Jail time couldn't come at a perfect time, at the end of the decade. It is not as if T.I. has ever left the scene. Music was being released well into his jail time and he is one of few artists in the new iTunes era besides Lady Gaga to see all their albums singles go to the Top 10. I expect Clifford Harris to knock us dead once again into the next decade.
Beyonce
There is no stopping the machine. She is one of few contemporary artists capable of selling 500k in first week sales, selling out packed arenas and garnering numerous awards. With I Am...Sasha Fierce only selling 2.1 million copies and spotty charting on the U.S.Hot 100, which is small potatos next to her epic debut, this will give her much fuel to recreate those numbers.
Green Day
Ageless, This group first burst on to the scene in 1994 and if you can survive the 90s then you pretty much survive any decade. That era has left behind Alanis Morrissette, LIVE, R.E.M and Courtney Love & Hole with only Smashing Pumpkins, No Doubt making it out alive and Fiona Apple making it out by just a hair. They have become our generations U2. The group that goes against rhythmic music that tends to dominate the charts and the clubs but yet the music is good and all people of all backgrounds can like it. Each decade they manage to captivate us with consistently good albums isn't going anywhere fast.
Lady Gaga
Holy crap, where did she come from? She's blonde, she's crazy, she's art and she is Lady Gaga! She sings, she dances, she plays the piano and she choreographs. She understands music! She is everything that is great about pop genre music. She is hailed by many to be the female Freddie Mercury, the white Grace Jones, the product of Madonna and the lost offspring of David Bowie while possessing the vocal versatility that is unique to her. If she continues to make music videos like that of Poker Face, Love Game & Bad Romance while pushing the envelope she will be around for as long as time allows her to.
Mary J. Blige
The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul has been making music since 1991. Mary had a steady following that has been with her since the often forgotten yet referenced Whats The 411, she began gaining a broader audience on No More Drama and developed a following on the Breakthrough. She is still not at Queen of Soul status but she doesn't need it. Hip-Hop Soul is where her throne is at and where her subjects continue to be inspired by her tell-tale lyrics. As long as there is a story to tell and someones going through a personal hell, Mary will be right there to be your ears and your Dear Abby. In this case, Dear Mary.
Pink
What chick is funkiest and doesn't give a fuck more than Pink? The spikey blonde hair wearing, nose ring piercing and multiple tattoo in weird places don diva is the product of 90's star Kandi (formerly of Xscape) and L.A. Reid. Pink also survived the 90's to have a string of multi platinum albums. What Pink brings to Rock & Roll is her R&B roots. She doesn't yell but she actually does vocal runs that touches a nerve and if she catches you at the right moment, you must just quiver a little. Her move from R&B/Hip-Hop to Rock was a smart one as no one will be able to do it quite like she can. Pink is the rock leader of female empowerment.
Taylor Swift
Ok before you jump on my case, let me explain something about Taylor Swift. She is young, she is pretty and she is quite talented. She reaches a huge audience. She is also country. There is a genuine appeal that Leann Rimes was not able to captivate in the 90s. She makes it cool for young boys and girls to listen to Country without feeling "uncool" or "square", part of that she can thank for releasing music at 15. She is now 20 and has the highest selling album of 2009 over Susan Boyle.
Maxwell
Huh? Maxwell you ask? Maxwell took a 10 year break what if he goes through another 10 year break? Maxwell is obligated to give us 2 more albums are a part of his Black Summer Night package and you best to believe this vocal babymaker will stretch and milk it for everything that its worth given the first installment of the Black Summer Night Series. Maxwell saw 300k+ sold in his first week which had never happened up until that point. He reached an audience other than that predictable Urban crowd which will propel his success further.
Alicia Keys
I often compare Alicia Keys to the smooth crooner Roberta Flack. They both are beautiful songwriters of their time. Roberta Flack didn't enjoy as long as a successful run as a piano playing singer/songwriter on the charts as Alicia is now because what Alicia has is presence and appeal. Alicia Keys also grew up in the area known as Hells Kitchen, NY. You don't come from Hells Kitchen and expect to become a multi-platinum artist. She has found a way to be that artist that doesn't have to sling, pop or shake in order to sell. Just play and sing and sing good is all we ask of Alicia and the recognition continues to pour in.
Artist That Will Wane in the new decade
Rihanna
She's already headed down a slippery slope of partying and alcohol according to the tabloids. Her success has been linked to her fashion, her stunning beauty and her relationship turned break up from Chris Brown. Now that there's just the music left to focus on, I'm not sure if she can fulfill her 7 album Def Jam contract with the sales she did of her widely sucessful "Good Girl Gone Bad". There is truly room for her to prove me wrong. But with the turn to dark side "Rated R" provided us with, she better get happy again and quick. Her widely white audiences will not allow themselves to stay depressed.
Chris Brown
Jeff Foxworthy, a popular redneck comedian made a comment about Chris Brown comparing Breezys plight to Michael Vicks. Michaela life has been changed permanently. He has paid his debt to society but he has a long road to go. As Jeff pointed Chris road maybe a bit longer. The public is not ready for him to shove albums at us critically acclaimed or not. Until the public is ready to forgive him, he won't see another successful Hot 100 song or album.
Letoya
I love this sultry sweet mezzo-soprano and she is clearly the sweeter member of the originally Destinys Child line up. Beauty however doesn't sell albums, music do and while 2007 was her comeback year, it was truly not a good follow up year in 2009. Her only strength from her sophomore album have been radio airplay of "She Aint Got" & "Regret". With radios being particularly overwhelmed by new projects from Lady Gaga & Beyonce, Letoya will find herself back to pre-"Torn" unless her label figures something out. I want to wrong in this prediction.
Mariah Carey
Even though Mariah is slated to release a remix album of her lackluster selling "Memoirs on an Imprefect Angel", what can an artist do that has done it all? Mariah is on legend status. She may not have to sell another record or do another live performance. The sheer essence of her 5 octave voice is unmatched. However, she barely survived 2000 - 2009 if it wasn't for the release of "Emancipation of Mimi" and tge strength of her follow up #1 "Touch My Body" & top ten banger "Obsessed". This may be reason to keep going however, even many of her "Lambs" have noticed tge abuse Mariahs voice has endured in her 21 years as an artist. I doubt Mimi will leave the game and in that same breath I also don't see Mariah selling what "Emancipation" did.
Keri Hilson
Keri is not unique in the sense that she is a superb writer and a fun hook singer. Ashanti, Lil Mo were that too and neither managed to survive the 2000s. With several featured hits and one solo hit under her belt, I don't see consistency or a demand for new music. There is room to prove me wrong
Nicki Minaj
Nicki is cute and she's funny. She also brings a femininity that female rappers have never had, in that same breath, it's okay to be a "lady" but still have to spit the lyrics. Her rap flow can be quite juvenile, over-articulate and does these grunts in the middle of her bars reminiscent of Ludacris. That is not enough to keep her superior. God help her if she ever gets tested in a free style battle by one of tge bad bitches of rap however, her lack of skill and peoples desire for better will be her own battle to deal with.
50 Cent
Times up buddy, your music sounds the same each album. You're good but you're not so good to where we don't notice that your music is boring and repetitive. Just take a one way trip somewhere.
Jennifer Lopez
J.Lo is more than a machine, she's an empire now. Up to date only her and Diana Ross are the only two divas to perform in the rain and get wet, looking awesome doing it (Rihanna performed in the snow). Jennifer is also a superior dancer however she's also in the "women of a certain age" bracket and while she's at her fiercest when she's giving us much the choreography, time and time again her album sales since her third album, the highly successful "J to tha L O: The Remixes" have contined to decline and so has tge content of her music. TheXDexperience.com went on to quote "if she would just go back dating black men, her music would benefit" sadly Diddy ruined it for the brothas. Being the good mommy that she is, she won't be leaving powerhouse singer Marc Anthony anytime soon. (Btw, Marc was on my list of artists not to survive the 2000s and look...I was right).
Bobby Valentino
.... WHO? ...
Missy Elliot
Where she been at? Not making music. Her last significant album was in 2005 "The Cookbook" and what a dissapointment. It wasn't a bad album but it was revealed that Timbaland had only produced 1.5 tracks. I'm not sure what happened to Missy Elliot that we know and love but she may have checked out and left the building a long time ago. Instead of asking Who is Mike Jones, people will be asking Where is Missy Elliot?
Comebacks of the Decade
Janet Jackson
Lauryn Hill
Fantasia
Eve
Outkast
No Doubt
Toni Braxton
Don't expect them ever
Smashing Pumpkins
Hole
Donnie Klang
T.I.
Jail time couldn't come at a perfect time, at the end of the decade. It is not as if T.I. has ever left the scene. Music was being released well into his jail time and he is one of few artists in the new iTunes era besides Lady Gaga to see all their albums singles go to the Top 10. I expect Clifford Harris to knock us dead once again into the next decade.
Beyonce
There is no stopping the machine. She is one of few contemporary artists capable of selling 500k in first week sales, selling out packed arenas and garnering numerous awards. With I Am...Sasha Fierce only selling 2.1 million copies and spotty charting on the U.S.Hot 100, which is small potatos next to her epic debut, this will give her much fuel to recreate those numbers.
Green Day
Ageless, This group first burst on to the scene in 1994 and if you can survive the 90s then you pretty much survive any decade. That era has left behind Alanis Morrissette, LIVE, R.E.M and Courtney Love & Hole with only Smashing Pumpkins, No Doubt making it out alive and Fiona Apple making it out by just a hair. They have become our generations U2. The group that goes against rhythmic music that tends to dominate the charts and the clubs but yet the music is good and all people of all backgrounds can like it. Each decade they manage to captivate us with consistently good albums isn't going anywhere fast.
Lady Gaga
Holy crap, where did she come from? She's blonde, she's crazy, she's art and she is Lady Gaga! She sings, she dances, she plays the piano and she choreographs. She understands music! She is everything that is great about pop genre music. She is hailed by many to be the female Freddie Mercury, the white Grace Jones, the product of Madonna and the lost offspring of David Bowie while possessing the vocal versatility that is unique to her. If she continues to make music videos like that of Poker Face, Love Game & Bad Romance while pushing the envelope she will be around for as long as time allows her to.
Mary J. Blige
The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul has been making music since 1991. Mary had a steady following that has been with her since the often forgotten yet referenced Whats The 411, she began gaining a broader audience on No More Drama and developed a following on the Breakthrough. She is still not at Queen of Soul status but she doesn't need it. Hip-Hop Soul is where her throne is at and where her subjects continue to be inspired by her tell-tale lyrics. As long as there is a story to tell and someones going through a personal hell, Mary will be right there to be your ears and your Dear Abby. In this case, Dear Mary.
Pink
What chick is funkiest and doesn't give a fuck more than Pink? The spikey blonde hair wearing, nose ring piercing and multiple tattoo in weird places don diva is the product of 90's star Kandi (formerly of Xscape) and L.A. Reid. Pink also survived the 90's to have a string of multi platinum albums. What Pink brings to Rock & Roll is her R&B roots. She doesn't yell but she actually does vocal runs that touches a nerve and if she catches you at the right moment, you must just quiver a little. Her move from R&B/Hip-Hop to Rock was a smart one as no one will be able to do it quite like she can. Pink is the rock leader of female empowerment.
Taylor Swift
Ok before you jump on my case, let me explain something about Taylor Swift. She is young, she is pretty and she is quite talented. She reaches a huge audience. She is also country. There is a genuine appeal that Leann Rimes was not able to captivate in the 90s. She makes it cool for young boys and girls to listen to Country without feeling "uncool" or "square", part of that she can thank for releasing music at 15. She is now 20 and has the highest selling album of 2009 over Susan Boyle.
Maxwell
Huh? Maxwell you ask? Maxwell took a 10 year break what if he goes through another 10 year break? Maxwell is obligated to give us 2 more albums are a part of his Black Summer Night package and you best to believe this vocal babymaker will stretch and milk it for everything that its worth given the first installment of the Black Summer Night Series. Maxwell saw 300k+ sold in his first week which had never happened up until that point. He reached an audience other than that predictable Urban crowd which will propel his success further.
Alicia Keys
I often compare Alicia Keys to the smooth crooner Roberta Flack. They both are beautiful songwriters of their time. Roberta Flack didn't enjoy as long as a successful run as a piano playing singer/songwriter on the charts as Alicia is now because what Alicia has is presence and appeal. Alicia Keys also grew up in the area known as Hells Kitchen, NY. You don't come from Hells Kitchen and expect to become a multi-platinum artist. She has found a way to be that artist that doesn't have to sling, pop or shake in order to sell. Just play and sing and sing good is all we ask of Alicia and the recognition continues to pour in.
Artist That Will Wane in the new decade
Rihanna
She's already headed down a slippery slope of partying and alcohol according to the tabloids. Her success has been linked to her fashion, her stunning beauty and her relationship turned break up from Chris Brown. Now that there's just the music left to focus on, I'm not sure if she can fulfill her 7 album Def Jam contract with the sales she did of her widely sucessful "Good Girl Gone Bad". There is truly room for her to prove me wrong. But with the turn to dark side "Rated R" provided us with, she better get happy again and quick. Her widely white audiences will not allow themselves to stay depressed.
Chris Brown
Jeff Foxworthy, a popular redneck comedian made a comment about Chris Brown comparing Breezys plight to Michael Vicks. Michaela life has been changed permanently. He has paid his debt to society but he has a long road to go. As Jeff pointed Chris road maybe a bit longer. The public is not ready for him to shove albums at us critically acclaimed or not. Until the public is ready to forgive him, he won't see another successful Hot 100 song or album.
Letoya
I love this sultry sweet mezzo-soprano and she is clearly the sweeter member of the originally Destinys Child line up. Beauty however doesn't sell albums, music do and while 2007 was her comeback year, it was truly not a good follow up year in 2009. Her only strength from her sophomore album have been radio airplay of "She Aint Got" & "Regret". With radios being particularly overwhelmed by new projects from Lady Gaga & Beyonce, Letoya will find herself back to pre-"Torn" unless her label figures something out. I want to wrong in this prediction.
Mariah Carey
Even though Mariah is slated to release a remix album of her lackluster selling "Memoirs on an Imprefect Angel", what can an artist do that has done it all? Mariah is on legend status. She may not have to sell another record or do another live performance. The sheer essence of her 5 octave voice is unmatched. However, she barely survived 2000 - 2009 if it wasn't for the release of "Emancipation of Mimi" and tge strength of her follow up #1 "Touch My Body" & top ten banger "Obsessed". This may be reason to keep going however, even many of her "Lambs" have noticed tge abuse Mariahs voice has endured in her 21 years as an artist. I doubt Mimi will leave the game and in that same breath I also don't see Mariah selling what "Emancipation" did.
Keri Hilson
Keri is not unique in the sense that she is a superb writer and a fun hook singer. Ashanti, Lil Mo were that too and neither managed to survive the 2000s. With several featured hits and one solo hit under her belt, I don't see consistency or a demand for new music. There is room to prove me wrong
Nicki Minaj
Nicki is cute and she's funny. She also brings a femininity that female rappers have never had, in that same breath, it's okay to be a "lady" but still have to spit the lyrics. Her rap flow can be quite juvenile, over-articulate and does these grunts in the middle of her bars reminiscent of Ludacris. That is not enough to keep her superior. God help her if she ever gets tested in a free style battle by one of tge bad bitches of rap however, her lack of skill and peoples desire for better will be her own battle to deal with.
50 Cent
Times up buddy, your music sounds the same each album. You're good but you're not so good to where we don't notice that your music is boring and repetitive. Just take a one way trip somewhere.
Jennifer Lopez
J.Lo is more than a machine, she's an empire now. Up to date only her and Diana Ross are the only two divas to perform in the rain and get wet, looking awesome doing it (Rihanna performed in the snow). Jennifer is also a superior dancer however she's also in the "women of a certain age" bracket and while she's at her fiercest when she's giving us much the choreography, time and time again her album sales since her third album, the highly successful "J to tha L O: The Remixes" have contined to decline and so has tge content of her music. TheXDexperience.com went on to quote "if she would just go back dating black men, her music would benefit" sadly Diddy ruined it for the brothas. Being the good mommy that she is, she won't be leaving powerhouse singer Marc Anthony anytime soon. (Btw, Marc was on my list of artists not to survive the 2000s and look...I was right).
Bobby Valentino
.... WHO? ...
Missy Elliot
Where she been at? Not making music. Her last significant album was in 2005 "The Cookbook" and what a dissapointment. It wasn't a bad album but it was revealed that Timbaland had only produced 1.5 tracks. I'm not sure what happened to Missy Elliot that we know and love but she may have checked out and left the building a long time ago. Instead of asking Who is Mike Jones, people will be asking Where is Missy Elliot?
Comebacks of the Decade
Janet Jackson
Lauryn Hill
Fantasia
Eve
Outkast
No Doubt
Toni Braxton
Don't expect them ever
Smashing Pumpkins
Hole
Donnie Klang
Ranity's 10 songs and albums of 2000 - 2009
My Top 10 Songs of 2000 - 2009
N.E.R.D. - Maybe
Janet Jackson - All For You
Alicia Keys - If I Aint Got You
Beyonce - Crazy In Love
Outkast - The Way You Move/Hey Ya
Jay Z - 99 Problems
Mariah Carey - Stay The Night
Nelly Furtado - Say It Right
Green Day - Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Lady Gaga - Bad Romance
My 10 Albums of 2000 - 2009
Jay Z - Blueprint
Outkast - Stankonia
Beyoncé - Dangerously In Love
Nelly Furtado - Loose
Kanye West - Graduation
Alicia Keys - Diary of Alicia Keys
N.E.R.D - Fly or Die
Mariah Carey - Emancipation of Mimi
Santogold - Santogold
Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment
N.E.R.D. - Maybe
Janet Jackson - All For You
Alicia Keys - If I Aint Got You
Beyonce - Crazy In Love
Outkast - The Way You Move/Hey Ya
Jay Z - 99 Problems
Mariah Carey - Stay The Night
Nelly Furtado - Say It Right
Green Day - Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Lady Gaga - Bad Romance
My 10 Albums of 2000 - 2009
Jay Z - Blueprint
Outkast - Stankonia
Beyoncé - Dangerously In Love
Nelly Furtado - Loose
Kanye West - Graduation
Alicia Keys - Diary of Alicia Keys
N.E.R.D - Fly or Die
Mariah Carey - Emancipation of Mimi
Santogold - Santogold
Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment
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