The problem with a lot of today's acts is they think in a monophonic sort of way. They make music to cater to their limited little box of people, i.e. their homies. Look around you, it is like crabs in a box.
They have nots making music for others that have nothing. Just how much do you think that will broaden your buying base?
Record sales in the USA are way down from their hey days of the Eighties and Nineties, but there are still artists that are winning in this game. How are they doing that you may ask? They are thinking out side their box. Recorded music is still selling well in Europe, Japan and Australia. For artists that do urban music such as r&b/soul and hip-hop/rap, they love the former in England, Germany and Japan in particular. Hip-hop/rap doesn't do as well mainly because the Japanese and the Europeans can't relate to songs about hood tales and profane laced lyrics with misogynistic and N-word laden themes.
If so-called gangsta rap or 'keep it real' rhymes is what you wanna do - then expect limited results. The attraction of Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, Eminem, Fabolous, etc, is that they do make sense collaborations and some of their lyrical messages go outside the box.
The target base of that style does not have a lot of disposable income. Look at B.o.B as an example, he has songs addressing "Airplanes" and the like, and each of his singles have all sold platinum in downloads. His album is RIAA certfied gold. His earnings over the last year have exceeded 5 million dollars in net worth. He has arrived - because he saw outside the box. He had vision,
I challenge artists to create songs that everyone across the board can relate to. Unfortunately too many African-Americans want music for free or little or nothing invested out of their pockets in it.
When people frequent the corner bootleg stands in the hood or the gas station and purchase cds three for five dollars - it kills the industry. Equally as bad is file sharing from illegal downloads.
How is that Taylor Swift can sell five million records and Ciara gets dropped from her label because of dismal sales? It is the fanbase, and Swift's has disposable income. The most recorded music is purchased by the female demographic between 13 years of age to 22 years of age. Is the music that you are creating appealing to that group? It is nothing wrong with having a track or two an animal that may be a little slanted towards the homies, but realize, they feel as though you are one of them, so you should just hook them up with a cd. Also remember physical cds are on the verge of being a thing of the past. Most music in the USA is sold via streaming - which means internet sells. Unfortunately Blacks are the most lagging racial group in own or having access to computers. Keeping it real, the ballers and brothers/sisters of the hood can't really help you with sales this way too much - so it is best to have music that appeals to folks that have money and a pc or pc access.
Some rappers should probably just make mix tapes. The financial investment in the marketing and promotions of that is not as expensive as a full project.
R&B is another animal in itself. It can play live venues better, it is widely loved in all the foreign countries, evidence are the vast amount of old school acts that are constantly playing in Japan and Europe. R&B acts also have an advantage in marketing and promotions with their merchandise and there is usually less worry about unnecessary drama over colors LOL.
All genres can win if you have a good team. You need marketing and promotions, a publicist, a good piece of product, management or management consultation, and a budget to accomplish your goals.
Do not set unrealistic expectations. Also remember that this a young industry that is less about talent and more about what is sellable. If it looks good, is young, sexy and has a catchey decent song - it has a fighting chance. When you have that record - push it, promote it, market it, sell it! There people in all 50 states in America going for that same spot your are trying to fit in. Give it all you got.
When I first got in the music business, there were 8 major labels. Now there are only 4, and 2 of the 4 are standing on shakey ground. One is in receivership with CitiCorp (EMI), and Warner Brothers is looking for a buyer. There is a real chance there may be a Big Two in the next year.
Great music still prevails and lasting tunes do just that. All of the cutural revolutions have been initiated by the young people. When young people get a hold of a good song, they can be the difference between being one of the many, or one of the few. Cream sweet rises to the top. Artists it is up to you - think outside your box, or stay stuck in water seeking its own level.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Steve Stoute goes postal on the Grammys (NARAS) and my reply
An Open Letter to Neil Portnow, NARAS and the Grammy Awards
In this Sunday's New York Times, I have purchased a full-page ad as an open letter to Neil Portnow, NARAS and the Grammy Awards. Here's why.
Over the course of my 20-year history as an executive in the music business and as the owner of a firm that specializes in in-culture advertising, I have come to the conclusion that the Grammy Awards have clearly lost touch with contemporary popular culture. My being a music fan has left me with an even greater and deeper sense of dismay -- so much so that I feel compelled to write this letter. Where I think that the Grammys fail stems from two key sources: (1) over-zealousness to produce a popular show that is at odds with its own system of voting and (2) fundamental disrespect of cultural shifts as being viable and artistic.
As an institution that celebrates artistic works of musicians, singers, songwriters, producers and technical specialists, we have come to expect that the Grammys upholds all of the values that reflect the very best in music that is born from our culture. Unfortunately, the awards show has become a series of hypocrisies and contradictions, leaving me to question why any contemporary popular artist would even participate. How is it possible that in 2001 The Marshall Mathers LP -- an album by Eminem that ushered in the Bob Dylan of our time -- was beaten out by Steely Dan (no disrespect) for Album Of The Year? While we cannot solely utilize album sales as the barometer, this was certainly not the case. Not only is Eminem the best-selling artist of the last decade, but The Marshall Mathers LP was a critical and commercial success that sold over 10 million albums in the United States (19 million worldwide), while Steely Dan sold less than 10% of that amount and came and went as quietly as a church mouse. Or consider even that in 2008 at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, after going into the night as the most-nominated artist, Kanye West's Graduation was beaten out for Album Of The Year by Herbie Hancock's River: The Joni Letters. (This was the first time in 43 years that a jazz album won this category.) While there is no doubt in my mind of the artistic talents of Steely Dan or Herbie Hancock, we must acknowledge the massive cultural impact of Eminem and Kanye West and how their music is shaping, influencing and defining the voice of a generation. It is this same cultural impact that acknowledged the commercial and critical success of Michael Jackson's Thriller in 1984.
Just so that I'm not showing partiality to hip-hop artists (although it would be an entirely different letter as to how hip-hop music has been totally diminished as an art form by this organization), how is it that Justin Bieber, an artist that defines what it means to be a modern artist, did not win Best New Artist? Again, his cultural impact and success are even more quantifiable if you factor in his YouTube and Vevo viewership -- the fact that he was a talent born entirely of the digital age whose story was crafted in the most humble method of being "discovered" purely for his singing ability (and it should be noted that Justin Bieber plays piano and guitar, as evidenced on his early viral videos).
So while these very artists that the public acknowledges as being worthy of their money and fandom are snubbed year after year at the Grammys, the awards show has absolutely no qualms in inviting these same artists to perform. At first I thought that you were not paying attention to the fact that the mental complexion of the world is becoming tanned, that multiculturalism and poly-ethnicity are driving new meaning as to what is culturally relevant. Interesting that the Grammys understands cultural relevance when it comes to using Eminem's, Kanye West's or Justin Bieber's name in the billing to ensure viewership and to deliver the all-too-important ratings for its advertisers.
What truly inspired the writing of this letter was that this most recent show fed my suspicions. As the show was coming to a close and just prior to presenting the award for Album Of The Year, the band Arcade Fire performed "Month of May" -- only to... surprise... win the category and, in a moment of sheer coincidence, happened to be prepared to perform "Ready to Start."
Does the Grammys intentionally use artists for their celebrity, popularity and cultural appeal when they already know the winners and then program a show against this expectation? Meanwhile the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences hides behind the "peer" voting system to escape culpability for not even rethinking its approach.
And I imagine that next year there will be another televised super-close-up of an astonished front-runner as they come to the realization before a national audience... that he or she was used.
You are being called to task at this very moment, NARAS.
And to all of the artists that attend the Grammys: Stop accepting the invitation to be the upset of the year and demand that this body upholds its mission for advocacy and support of artistry as culture evolves.
Demand that they change this system and truly reflect and truly acknowledge your art.
[signed]
Steve Stoute
*******************************************************************
UNCLE JAMZ RESPONSE
First and foremost I do not think think Steve Stoute is fully aware of how Grammy awards are chosen. Let me be the one to educate him and others that are not aware:
To vote on the Grammys you have to be a member of NARAS (the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences). There are about 12,000 voting members. To belong, you must pay your dues each year and be qualified as follows:
Traditional Distribution:
If you have received technical or creative credit in any one qualifying category on at least six tracks or equivalent, you qualify. All recordings must have been commercially released in the United States and distributed through recognized retailers. One qualifying credit must have been released within the last five years.
Digital Distribution:
If you have received technical or creative credit in any one qualifying category on at least 12 tracks or equivalent, you qualify. All recordings must have been commercially released in the United States and distributed through recognized online music retailers. Applicants must be actively promoting themselves in their chosen field. One qualifying credit must have been released within the last five years.
Dues are paid each year to mantain your eligibility to vote.
Nomination process
Record companies and individuals may submit recordings to be nominated. The entries are entered online and then a physical copy of the product must be sent to the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Once a work is entered, reviewing sessions are held by over 150 experts from the recording industry. This is done only to determine whether or not a work is eligible or entered into the proper category for official nomination.
The resulting list is circulated to all NARAS members, each of whom may vote to nominate in the general field (Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist) and in no more than nine out of 30 other fields on their ballots. The five recordings that earn the most votes in each category become the nominees. There may be more than five nominees if there is a tie in the nomination process.
Members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences are generally invited to screenings, or sent DVDs, of movies nominated for Oscars. In contrast, NARAS members receive no nominated recordings.
After nominees have been determined, final voting ballots are sent to Recording Academy members. They may then vote in the general fields and in no more than eight of the 30 fields. NARAS members are encouraged, but not required, to vote only in their fields of expertise. Ballots are tabulated secretly by the major independent accounting firm Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.[4] Following the tabulation of votes the winners are announced at the Grammy Awards. The recording with the most votes in a category wins and it is possible to have a tie. Winners are presented with the Grammy Award and those who do not win are given a medal for their nomination.
In both voting rounds, Academy members are to vote based upon quality alone. They are not supposed to be influenced by sales, chart performance, personal friendships, regional preferences or company loyalty. The acceptance of gifts is prohibited. Members are urged to vote in a manner that preserves the integrity of the academy.
I have found that many urban (r&b/soul and hip-hop/rap), rock and jazz acts do not even belong - but yet they complain the most.
A few years back The Neptunes complianed that they did not win for Producer of The Year for Non-Classical Music, but they didn't even belong to NARAS, nor did many of the acts they produced. After they joined, they have now enjoyed Grammy wins.
It is no wonder that some acts that have enjoyed commercial success i.e. Justin Beiber, Eminem or Rihanna may not win Grammys - the main membership comes from oldschool vets like: Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Lionel Ritchie, Barbra Streisand, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Cher, etc.
To nominate, you must join and pay your dues, to win, your base of support amongst your peers must vote.
A few years back Jethro Tull, a rock group from England, won for BEST ROCK ALBUM, and many of the newer rock acts were in dismay - why? Their folks were not members and thus the veterans that voted were only acquainted with Jethro Tull, a group that had not been relevent since the early Seventies.
I would suggest that Steve Stout spens his time and monies being proactive and getting urban, rock and uneducated acts, engineers, writers, producers to join NARAS and stay current with their dues.
NARAS membership also has perks with rental cars, hotels, musical gear, eyeglasses and more by presenting your membership card at participating businesses.
for more info go to: www,grammy.com
In this Sunday's New York Times, I have purchased a full-page ad as an open letter to Neil Portnow, NARAS and the Grammy Awards. Here's why.
Over the course of my 20-year history as an executive in the music business and as the owner of a firm that specializes in in-culture advertising, I have come to the conclusion that the Grammy Awards have clearly lost touch with contemporary popular culture. My being a music fan has left me with an even greater and deeper sense of dismay -- so much so that I feel compelled to write this letter. Where I think that the Grammys fail stems from two key sources: (1) over-zealousness to produce a popular show that is at odds with its own system of voting and (2) fundamental disrespect of cultural shifts as being viable and artistic.
As an institution that celebrates artistic works of musicians, singers, songwriters, producers and technical specialists, we have come to expect that the Grammys upholds all of the values that reflect the very best in music that is born from our culture. Unfortunately, the awards show has become a series of hypocrisies and contradictions, leaving me to question why any contemporary popular artist would even participate. How is it possible that in 2001 The Marshall Mathers LP -- an album by Eminem that ushered in the Bob Dylan of our time -- was beaten out by Steely Dan (no disrespect) for Album Of The Year? While we cannot solely utilize album sales as the barometer, this was certainly not the case. Not only is Eminem the best-selling artist of the last decade, but The Marshall Mathers LP was a critical and commercial success that sold over 10 million albums in the United States (19 million worldwide), while Steely Dan sold less than 10% of that amount and came and went as quietly as a church mouse. Or consider even that in 2008 at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, after going into the night as the most-nominated artist, Kanye West's Graduation was beaten out for Album Of The Year by Herbie Hancock's River: The Joni Letters. (This was the first time in 43 years that a jazz album won this category.) While there is no doubt in my mind of the artistic talents of Steely Dan or Herbie Hancock, we must acknowledge the massive cultural impact of Eminem and Kanye West and how their music is shaping, influencing and defining the voice of a generation. It is this same cultural impact that acknowledged the commercial and critical success of Michael Jackson's Thriller in 1984.
Just so that I'm not showing partiality to hip-hop artists (although it would be an entirely different letter as to how hip-hop music has been totally diminished as an art form by this organization), how is it that Justin Bieber, an artist that defines what it means to be a modern artist, did not win Best New Artist? Again, his cultural impact and success are even more quantifiable if you factor in his YouTube and Vevo viewership -- the fact that he was a talent born entirely of the digital age whose story was crafted in the most humble method of being "discovered" purely for his singing ability (and it should be noted that Justin Bieber plays piano and guitar, as evidenced on his early viral videos).
So while these very artists that the public acknowledges as being worthy of their money and fandom are snubbed year after year at the Grammys, the awards show has absolutely no qualms in inviting these same artists to perform. At first I thought that you were not paying attention to the fact that the mental complexion of the world is becoming tanned, that multiculturalism and poly-ethnicity are driving new meaning as to what is culturally relevant. Interesting that the Grammys understands cultural relevance when it comes to using Eminem's, Kanye West's or Justin Bieber's name in the billing to ensure viewership and to deliver the all-too-important ratings for its advertisers.
What truly inspired the writing of this letter was that this most recent show fed my suspicions. As the show was coming to a close and just prior to presenting the award for Album Of The Year, the band Arcade Fire performed "Month of May" -- only to... surprise... win the category and, in a moment of sheer coincidence, happened to be prepared to perform "Ready to Start."
Does the Grammys intentionally use artists for their celebrity, popularity and cultural appeal when they already know the winners and then program a show against this expectation? Meanwhile the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences hides behind the "peer" voting system to escape culpability for not even rethinking its approach.
And I imagine that next year there will be another televised super-close-up of an astonished front-runner as they come to the realization before a national audience... that he or she was used.
You are being called to task at this very moment, NARAS.
And to all of the artists that attend the Grammys: Stop accepting the invitation to be the upset of the year and demand that this body upholds its mission for advocacy and support of artistry as culture evolves.
Demand that they change this system and truly reflect and truly acknowledge your art.
[signed]
Steve Stoute
*******************************************************************
UNCLE JAMZ RESPONSE
First and foremost I do not think think Steve Stoute is fully aware of how Grammy awards are chosen. Let me be the one to educate him and others that are not aware:
To vote on the Grammys you have to be a member of NARAS (the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences). There are about 12,000 voting members. To belong, you must pay your dues each year and be qualified as follows:
Voting Member
This classification is for creative and technical professionals who qualify in at least one of the categories of eligibility. All recordings must be commercially released in the U.S. either through traditional distribution channels or recognized online retail settings.Traditional Distribution:
If you have received technical or creative credit in any one qualifying category on at least six tracks or equivalent, you qualify. All recordings must have been commercially released in the United States and distributed through recognized retailers. One qualifying credit must have been released within the last five years.
Digital Distribution:
If you have received technical or creative credit in any one qualifying category on at least 12 tracks or equivalent, you qualify. All recordings must have been commercially released in the United States and distributed through recognized online music retailers. Applicants must be actively promoting themselves in their chosen field. One qualifying credit must have been released within the last five years.
Dues are paid each year to mantain your eligibility to vote.
Nomination process
Record companies and individuals may submit recordings to be nominated. The entries are entered online and then a physical copy of the product must be sent to the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Once a work is entered, reviewing sessions are held by over 150 experts from the recording industry. This is done only to determine whether or not a work is eligible or entered into the proper category for official nomination.
The resulting list is circulated to all NARAS members, each of whom may vote to nominate in the general field (Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist) and in no more than nine out of 30 other fields on their ballots. The five recordings that earn the most votes in each category become the nominees. There may be more than five nominees if there is a tie in the nomination process.
Members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences are generally invited to screenings, or sent DVDs, of movies nominated for Oscars. In contrast, NARAS members receive no nominated recordings.
After nominees have been determined, final voting ballots are sent to Recording Academy members. They may then vote in the general fields and in no more than eight of the 30 fields. NARAS members are encouraged, but not required, to vote only in their fields of expertise. Ballots are tabulated secretly by the major independent accounting firm Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.[4] Following the tabulation of votes the winners are announced at the Grammy Awards. The recording with the most votes in a category wins and it is possible to have a tie. Winners are presented with the Grammy Award and those who do not win are given a medal for their nomination.
In both voting rounds, Academy members are to vote based upon quality alone. They are not supposed to be influenced by sales, chart performance, personal friendships, regional preferences or company loyalty. The acceptance of gifts is prohibited. Members are urged to vote in a manner that preserves the integrity of the academy.
I have found that many urban (r&b/soul and hip-hop/rap), rock and jazz acts do not even belong - but yet they complain the most.
A few years back The Neptunes complianed that they did not win for Producer of The Year for Non-Classical Music, but they didn't even belong to NARAS, nor did many of the acts they produced. After they joined, they have now enjoyed Grammy wins.
It is no wonder that some acts that have enjoyed commercial success i.e. Justin Beiber, Eminem or Rihanna may not win Grammys - the main membership comes from oldschool vets like: Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Lionel Ritchie, Barbra Streisand, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Cher, etc.
To nominate, you must join and pay your dues, to win, your base of support amongst your peers must vote.
A few years back Jethro Tull, a rock group from England, won for BEST ROCK ALBUM, and many of the newer rock acts were in dismay - why? Their folks were not members and thus the veterans that voted were only acquainted with Jethro Tull, a group that had not been relevent since the early Seventies.
I would suggest that Steve Stout spens his time and monies being proactive and getting urban, rock and uneducated acts, engineers, writers, producers to join NARAS and stay current with their dues.
NARAS membership also has perks with rental cars, hotels, musical gear, eyeglasses and more by presenting your membership card at participating businesses.
for more info go to: www,grammy.com
Saturday, February 12, 2011
It's Okay To Be Bi-Racial - Say It Loud, And Be Proud
So Barack Obama check the box on his census form for 2010 that he is Black.
Wow. I wonder how he arrived at that conclusion? Did he have an epiphany?
A nightmare?
He went through great lengths in his campaign for the nomination and the campaign to never show himself with Black folks. He was always pictured with his White mom and maternal grandparents. In reality he has no DNA Black relative son American soil,
His father, whom he saw once in his life was a foreigner from Africa.
Mariah Carey, Jasmine Guy, Faith Evans, Tiger Wood, Shemar Moore, Halle Berry,
Mya, Lenny Kravitz, Slash, Drake, Alicia Keys and Etta James are all bi-racial.
Only Evans did not have a Black father (he mom was, and her father was White).
A recent Berry story about her daughter triggered this blog. She wants her daughter to label herself Black, even though her child has a White father and a bi-racial mother.
Berry brought up the one drop rule*. She should have done her research a bit better,
*In 1967, the U.S. Supreme Court, in its ruling in the case of Loving v. Virginia, conclusively invalidated Plecker's Virginia Racial Integrity Act. That meant the Court was reversing the one-drop rule, calling it unconstitutional.
Wow. I wonder how he arrived at that conclusion? Did he have an epiphany?
A nightmare?
He went through great lengths in his campaign for the nomination and the campaign to never show himself with Black folks. He was always pictured with his White mom and maternal grandparents. In reality he has no DNA Black relative son American soil,
His father, whom he saw once in his life was a foreigner from Africa.
Mariah Carey, Jasmine Guy, Faith Evans, Tiger Wood, Shemar Moore, Halle Berry,
Mya, Lenny Kravitz, Slash, Drake, Alicia Keys and Etta James are all bi-racial.
Only Evans did not have a Black father (he mom was, and her father was White).
A recent Berry story about her daughter triggered this blog. She wants her daughter to label herself Black, even though her child has a White father and a bi-racial mother.
Berry brought up the one drop rule*. She should have done her research a bit better,
*In 1967, the U.S. Supreme Court, in its ruling in the case of Loving v. Virginia, conclusively invalidated Plecker's Virginia Racial Integrity Act. That meant the Court was reversing the one-drop rule, calling it unconstitutional.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Music Business on the Urban side, Get Some Integrity!
The music business has been ruined by greed. It costs money to make the record, i.e. studio time, producers, session players, travel costs, per diems, accommodations, mixing, mastering, artwork design, duplication, digital distribution, street promoters, publicists, etc. and then deejays that work at radio stations that make a salary have the damn gall to want you to pay them to play your record - and local promoters want you to pay to be on a show, like all of theses peeps do not realize that records aren't selling. Greed, egos and assholes have ruined the music business. Some on here suggest paying them to get your record in better positioning, well what about when you pay them and they do not do what they promise to do, i.e. E-blasts, club play, features on web sites of record pools? Damn shame, and they still taking other people for their money. Didn't the federal government outlaw payola? Hmmmm, I guess the grimey folks never got that message. Play and support music because you like it, not because your palms are greased to tolerate it. If the majors would stop paying these P1 and P2 stations off and let radio give good music a chance - it would be a better experience for all. There are not many opportunities for upcoming Black artists to get paid for live shows. Everything is pay to get on the stage and the p.a. systems be whack and they want to always cut your performance time to 3 minutes, but charge $500.00 or more for that bullcrap experience. Step up your game African-Americans, support each other in an upright way and stop the madness.
Friday, February 4, 2011
What Is The Truth?
There is an urban expression these days that says, "Keep it one hundred", which means kep it totally legit and real and truthful. What does that really mean? Does it really reflect the truth? Most people in court cases raise their hand and swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth, and with the smoking gun in their possession will say they are not guilty. Are they keeping it one hundred?
Is the truth what really happened or what you want people to believe what happened?
Can people sometimes lie so much that they turn their lies into truth, their truth, but the absolute, unequivocal truth.
I recall one time when I was in grade school and in the gym class someone stole another student's watch. The Physical Education teacher decided he would paddle the whole class to gain the truth as to who was the culprit of stealing the watch. He made us all line-up and proceed past him to receive our swats. This processional was to continue over and over until sore buns would cause someone to break and give up the thief.
When it was my turn, I declared to the teacher that I refused to take the licks on my ass because I didn't steal the watch and therefore would not take punishment for something I hadn't done.
The teacher then sent my deviant arse to the principal's office. The principal was stunned to see me there and wanted to know my side of the story. I told him I knew who stole the watch, but it wasn't my place to reveal the thief or take paddle licks for someone elses bad deed.
My mom was called to the school and there was a big meeting in the principal's office.
I was encouraged by my mother to tell the truth. In some respects, my classmates liked me, because my act of civil disobedience halted the mass paddling, but on the other hand, would I be tainted as a snitch.
I did the right thing - I ratted out the thief. The watch was returned to the rightful owner and the bad boy was duly punished, and hated me from thenceforth.
When he was confronted about taking the watch, he denied it.
I surmise that the truth is what really happened, but truth can also be slanted by perspective on a situation.
In legal cases, the state must prove its case in order to win a conviction, but all convictions are not always reflective of the truth.
O.J. Simpson is in jail over some b.s., but escaped a conviction over two murders that he committed. Rapper Shyne served 10 years in jail for a shooting at a nightclub in NY whilst in the entourage with Diddy and JLo, but Diddy also fired a gun, but escaped conviction.
The truth can be smoke-screened by money in criminal cases with clever lawyering.
Some may say, no harm - no foul.
They say the truth will set you free, ha, it can also be the difference between life and death, freedom or incarceration, so what the hell were you free from, LOL
Perhaps your own sense of conscience - but wait, does everyone have one of those?
I say the truth is whatever you declare it to be, just remember your truth may not be someone elses.
Is the truth what really happened or what you want people to believe what happened?
Can people sometimes lie so much that they turn their lies into truth, their truth, but the absolute, unequivocal truth.
I recall one time when I was in grade school and in the gym class someone stole another student's watch. The Physical Education teacher decided he would paddle the whole class to gain the truth as to who was the culprit of stealing the watch. He made us all line-up and proceed past him to receive our swats. This processional was to continue over and over until sore buns would cause someone to break and give up the thief.
When it was my turn, I declared to the teacher that I refused to take the licks on my ass because I didn't steal the watch and therefore would not take punishment for something I hadn't done.
The teacher then sent my deviant arse to the principal's office. The principal was stunned to see me there and wanted to know my side of the story. I told him I knew who stole the watch, but it wasn't my place to reveal the thief or take paddle licks for someone elses bad deed.
My mom was called to the school and there was a big meeting in the principal's office.
I was encouraged by my mother to tell the truth. In some respects, my classmates liked me, because my act of civil disobedience halted the mass paddling, but on the other hand, would I be tainted as a snitch.
I did the right thing - I ratted out the thief. The watch was returned to the rightful owner and the bad boy was duly punished, and hated me from thenceforth.
When he was confronted about taking the watch, he denied it.
I surmise that the truth is what really happened, but truth can also be slanted by perspective on a situation.
In legal cases, the state must prove its case in order to win a conviction, but all convictions are not always reflective of the truth.
O.J. Simpson is in jail over some b.s., but escaped a conviction over two murders that he committed. Rapper Shyne served 10 years in jail for a shooting at a nightclub in NY whilst in the entourage with Diddy and JLo, but Diddy also fired a gun, but escaped conviction.
The truth can be smoke-screened by money in criminal cases with clever lawyering.
Some may say, no harm - no foul.
They say the truth will set you free, ha, it can also be the difference between life and death, freedom or incarceration, so what the hell were you free from, LOL
Perhaps your own sense of conscience - but wait, does everyone have one of those?
I say the truth is whatever you declare it to be, just remember your truth may not be someone elses.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Mix Tapes = Copyright Infringement????
In the world of hip-hop or rap, or whatever you want to call the genre that appeals to lots of the urban community these days, there is a thing called, 'The Mix Tape'.
Lots of rappers get introduced to the public via these releases and they often feature well know acts with lesser knowns.
The thing that has always troubled me about, the 'Mix Tape' is that the music can be that of an established artist and there is no clearance secured for this blatant copyright violation.
Some people tell me it is a great vehicle for promoting rap or hip-hop. Well explain to me the money division portion?
Would Lays make money if they gave away their potato chips? Would Ford make money if they gave away their automobiles?
So how the hell is it beneficial to the writers/publishers/copyright owners of the various tunes that are either sampled, looped or used a backdrop for the 'Mix Tape' raps?
Read the following in regards to DJ Drama's arrest and prosecution over copyright infringement in regards to MIxtape:
http://jip.kentlaw.edu/art/volume%208/8%20Chi-Kent%20J%20Intell%20Prop%201.pdf
Just asking? If someone samples one of my songs be it a Mixtap or a regular release, I wish to be paid, and that would be period.
Lots of rappers get introduced to the public via these releases and they often feature well know acts with lesser knowns.
The thing that has always troubled me about, the 'Mix Tape' is that the music can be that of an established artist and there is no clearance secured for this blatant copyright violation.
Some people tell me it is a great vehicle for promoting rap or hip-hop. Well explain to me the money division portion?
Would Lays make money if they gave away their potato chips? Would Ford make money if they gave away their automobiles?
So how the hell is it beneficial to the writers/publishers/copyright owners of the various tunes that are either sampled, looped or used a backdrop for the 'Mix Tape' raps?
Read the following in regards to DJ Drama's arrest and prosecution over copyright infringement in regards to MIxtape:
http://jip.kentlaw.edu/art/volume%208/8%20Chi-Kent%20J%20Intell%20Prop%201.pdf
Just asking? If someone samples one of my songs be it a Mixtap or a regular release, I wish to be paid, and that would be period.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
The so-called religious people and their cherry picking
I find it amazing at how many people that I know, whether they be family, friends or musical associates that sometimes use their religious faith as a crutch when they need it, but in the rest of their day to day existence they fornicate, smoke weed, drink alcohol, smoke tobacco, lie, deceive, steal, sell drugs, cheat on their wives, make bastard* kids out in the streets, and various other things that would be transgressions against their belief system.
(note: Bastard = a child created out of wedlock, meaning the parents were pleasuring and not married, i.e. sinful behaviour according to The Bible)
In debates with me over religion and faith, they tell me, 'We all fall short of the glory'. I say what a crock of cow crap. If you know the things you are doing are not right in the edicts of your religious faith, then why the hell keep doing them? What are you praying for? Apparently it is not working or helping, take your pick.
Sunday the churches are full, and soon as the people get out, they go back to doing what they did before they went to church.
Today for example, they are racing out to to see NFL playoff games. Some will have even given up monies that they do not have to spare in hopes that they will give a some sort of triple financial blessing from a deity. The minister drives the Mercedes or fancy Cadillac and some of the parishioners come in a hooptie that barely made it to the church parking lot.
In many Black churches as offering time comes they say, "Would a man rob God?".
Why not? Man (and woman) lie and deceive their faith (their God) on everything else.
They get tattoos and piercings (that is called defiling the temple God gave you); they practice acts of idolatry (joining fraternities sororities, lodges and other organizations that salute and uphold symbols, emblems and signs). They have sex, including sodomy (oral sex, anal sex, positions other than the missionary one) when they are not married or commit adultery when they are.
The zealots can't even get the calendar correct. The Sabbath Day is the seventh day of the week - hmmm isn't that Saturday? Just asking... LOL
Step up your game religious folks if you want others to be impressed that you are living the life you so prophecize to others about. If you don't show me that you are living what you are calling other folks out about - I am gonna let you have it, cherry picking folks.
You use the parts of your faith that are comfortable to you, but wanna jump on other folks for doing things you think are un-holy or un-Christian -like. Hmmpgh, the mirror is calling you.
Perhaps that person you are trying to preach to is not on your page or of your faith belief. After all in America we have a separation of church and state. This is a to each his (or her) own society.
I have often wondered when people are having an illness or going through something that seems very serious and the outcome may result in loss of life or very adverse consequences, why people say pray for me? Is God not already aware and in control of these things? Are the petitioners questioning the wisdom of the Most High?
I believe it is what it is and the way of the world/universe shall be unaltered by anything man does or says.
Karma is a b**** isn't it? I like the late Barry White's song, "Practice What You Preach".
Re-Mix, if not, 'Then Shut The Eff Up'. LOL
Just saying...
(note: Bastard = a child created out of wedlock, meaning the parents were pleasuring and not married, i.e. sinful behaviour according to The Bible)
In debates with me over religion and faith, they tell me, 'We all fall short of the glory'. I say what a crock of cow crap. If you know the things you are doing are not right in the edicts of your religious faith, then why the hell keep doing them? What are you praying for? Apparently it is not working or helping, take your pick.
Sunday the churches are full, and soon as the people get out, they go back to doing what they did before they went to church.
Today for example, they are racing out to to see NFL playoff games. Some will have even given up monies that they do not have to spare in hopes that they will give a some sort of triple financial blessing from a deity. The minister drives the Mercedes or fancy Cadillac and some of the parishioners come in a hooptie that barely made it to the church parking lot.
In many Black churches as offering time comes they say, "Would a man rob God?".
Why not? Man (and woman) lie and deceive their faith (their God) on everything else.
They get tattoos and piercings (that is called defiling the temple God gave you); they practice acts of idolatry (joining fraternities sororities, lodges and other organizations that salute and uphold symbols, emblems and signs). They have sex, including sodomy (oral sex, anal sex, positions other than the missionary one) when they are not married or commit adultery when they are.
The zealots can't even get the calendar correct. The Sabbath Day is the seventh day of the week - hmmm isn't that Saturday? Just asking... LOL
Step up your game religious folks if you want others to be impressed that you are living the life you so prophecize to others about. If you don't show me that you are living what you are calling other folks out about - I am gonna let you have it, cherry picking folks.
You use the parts of your faith that are comfortable to you, but wanna jump on other folks for doing things you think are un-holy or un-Christian -like. Hmmpgh, the mirror is calling you.
Perhaps that person you are trying to preach to is not on your page or of your faith belief. After all in America we have a separation of church and state. This is a to each his (or her) own society.
I have often wondered when people are having an illness or going through something that seems very serious and the outcome may result in loss of life or very adverse consequences, why people say pray for me? Is God not already aware and in control of these things? Are the petitioners questioning the wisdom of the Most High?
I believe it is what it is and the way of the world/universe shall be unaltered by anything man does or says.
Karma is a b**** isn't it? I like the late Barry White's song, "Practice What You Preach".
Re-Mix, if not, 'Then Shut The Eff Up'. LOL
Just saying...
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
The N-word
When Blacks were first brought to America by the slave traders, many came from areas near the River Niger. The slave owners then started calling us 'Niggers' amongst other names.
Now hundreds of years later, a word that was used to castrate, lynch and oppress an entire race of people is now being used as a term of endearment.
I don't get it. We think by pronouncing it slightly different or by spelling it in various ways, it makes it all good, Wrong.
Comedian/Activist Dick Gregory says it best, criticize the euphemisms and their usage as intellectually dishonest, because using the euphemism “the N-word” instead of nigger robs younger generations of Americans of the full history of Black people in America.
I do not think my comments will deter the use of it by Blacks, but I do hope people will at least think about it and what it says about our self-hate.
Now hundreds of years later, a word that was used to castrate, lynch and oppress an entire race of people is now being used as a term of endearment.
I don't get it. We think by pronouncing it slightly different or by spelling it in various ways, it makes it all good, Wrong.
Comedian/Activist Dick Gregory says it best, criticize the euphemisms and their usage as intellectually dishonest, because using the euphemism “the N-word” instead of nigger robs younger generations of Americans of the full history of Black people in America.
I do not think my comments will deter the use of it by Blacks, but I do hope people will at least think about it and what it says about our self-hate.
Monday, January 10, 2011
She must have whip appeal like no other or the lady is a tramp
Alejandra Oaziaza , the ex-wife of Jermaine Jackson is currently embroiled in a bitter squatter's right battle with Jackson family matriarch Katherine. Seems Alejandra is writing a tell-all book about the Jackson family, and Katherine wants her to abort the project.
Add more weirdness to this story: Alejandra was Randy Jackson's common-law wife for several years and in their union they had 3 kids.
Exit Randy and enter Jermaine - that's right, big brother with the greasy hair and face look followed Randy and married her in 1995 fathered 2 kids by his brother's ex.
They were divorced in 2004 due to anullment because she was still married to her first husband prior to Randy.
One of Jermaine's kids by her - Jermajesty pointed a stun gun at one of the kids that Michael called his,
This really agitated Katherine. Now she is legally trying to evict her ex-daughter-in-law and her kids (whom are double related, sibling and cousin to one another.
Can anyone say mess with a capital M?
Add more weirdness to this story: Alejandra was Randy Jackson's common-law wife for several years and in their union they had 3 kids.
Exit Randy and enter Jermaine - that's right, big brother with the greasy hair and face look followed Randy and married her in 1995 fathered 2 kids by his brother's ex.
They were divorced in 2004 due to anullment because she was still married to her first husband prior to Randy.
One of Jermaine's kids by her - Jermajesty pointed a stun gun at one of the kids that Michael called his,
This really agitated Katherine. Now she is legally trying to evict her ex-daughter-in-law and her kids (whom are double related, sibling and cousin to one another.
Can anyone say mess with a capital M?
LOVE LETTERS - R.Kelly, r&b music's crowning moment
I had sworn off Robert Kelly, the singer/songwriter/producer from Chicago quite awhile ago.
I was not impressed with his recent output until now. LOVE LETTERS, from a purely musical aspect is the "it" of r&b albums.
I gave all of my Kelly albums away recently because of my disdain for his personal desires for young girls, but after having my arm twisted by a few of my musical co-horts and my niece, I decided to give this project a try.
I am so glad I did.
This album is like a walk through soulville - with Kelly channeling Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Sam Cooke, Michael Jackson and Babyface all in his vocal skills. He even visits the stylings of early Motown with a duet song with a female singer that recalls the days of Gaye and Tammi Terrell.
This is by far the best r&b album I have heard in the last 5 or so years.
I strongly recommend it for all r&b music lovers. It was great road backdrop for me and Zay on our recent trip.
Honorable mention to the new Tank album NOW OR NEVER.
R&B music is making a comeback - yeah!!!
I was not impressed with his recent output until now. LOVE LETTERS, from a purely musical aspect is the "it" of r&b albums.
I gave all of my Kelly albums away recently because of my disdain for his personal desires for young girls, but after having my arm twisted by a few of my musical co-horts and my niece, I decided to give this project a try.
I am so glad I did.
This album is like a walk through soulville - with Kelly channeling Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Sam Cooke, Michael Jackson and Babyface all in his vocal skills. He even visits the stylings of early Motown with a duet song with a female singer that recalls the days of Gaye and Tammi Terrell.
This is by far the best r&b album I have heard in the last 5 or so years.
I strongly recommend it for all r&b music lovers. It was great road backdrop for me and Zay on our recent trip.
Honorable mention to the new Tank album NOW OR NEVER.
R&B music is making a comeback - yeah!!!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Just saying - Riding Dirty, smh
There has been an increase of celebrity tour buses pulled over by local law enforcement over the past few years. With the more stringent security checks at airports, many weed smoking/gun toting stars opt to take to the highways of America. Guess what, the po-po is not as dumb as you think. They know why you are doing it - so they set roadblocks for you and do those things called stops and search. If you don't give them permission, they will just get a judge to sign off on a search warrant and bingo, here come the dogs and the DEA folks.
Now you little people that can't afford the tour bus yet - you speed, you drive in caravans of vehicles, and you have folks that are on probation that aren't supposed to travel across state line without permission form the P.O. (Probation Officer) - all n all, a recipe for disaster.
When they pull you over they are gonna ask for ID, proof of vehicle registration, proof of auto insurance and run your name on the SKIPS system. If they smell marijuana, they are gonna ask if they can search the vehicle, and if you don't consent, you will be detained and a search warrant will be gotten.
So my question is why travel across state lines if you are on probation? Why ride dirty (which means with drugs and weapons)? Why not have ID on you, when everyone with an ounce of goose sense knows people 16 years of age and above by law are supposed to always have ID on them)? Why drive at rates of speed that are not only illegal, but so excessive that they can cause you to be not only ticketed, but arrested?
There is a denigration in the mindset of certain elements in the Black community, and it is scary. It is almost like they take the "I don't give a F***" thing to the highest extreme.
Many of these folks are husbands, fathers and bread winners for their families. What happens to the ones that depend on you when you go down?
It is totally mind boggling.
Now you little people that can't afford the tour bus yet - you speed, you drive in caravans of vehicles, and you have folks that are on probation that aren't supposed to travel across state line without permission form the P.O. (Probation Officer) - all n all, a recipe for disaster.
When they pull you over they are gonna ask for ID, proof of vehicle registration, proof of auto insurance and run your name on the SKIPS system. If they smell marijuana, they are gonna ask if they can search the vehicle, and if you don't consent, you will be detained and a search warrant will be gotten.
So my question is why travel across state lines if you are on probation? Why ride dirty (which means with drugs and weapons)? Why not have ID on you, when everyone with an ounce of goose sense knows people 16 years of age and above by law are supposed to always have ID on them)? Why drive at rates of speed that are not only illegal, but so excessive that they can cause you to be not only ticketed, but arrested?
There is a denigration in the mindset of certain elements in the Black community, and it is scary. It is almost like they take the "I don't give a F***" thing to the highest extreme.
Many of these folks are husbands, fathers and bread winners for their families. What happens to the ones that depend on you when you go down?
It is totally mind boggling.
Sagging needs to be a crime all over the USA - Why the hell would someone wanna show their ass publically?
It originated in prison or jails, where inmates for the most part are not allowed to hav belts for fear of suicide. It further was used as a statement in the penal institutions that a male was available to be penerated if his pants were so low as to show the shape of his buttocks.
So why would today's African-American males (since the late 90s) want to wear their trousers in a manner that emulates jail/prison life; or suggest they want to be the receiver of anal sex?
It is probably tied to some misconception that being a thug or homothug is cool, in the same warped rationale that calling members of your own race a 'Nigger' (many times spelled 'Nigga', 'Nuggah' or 'Nikka') is a term of endearment.
Sagging pants has been outlawed in several US cities - citing public indecency or lwed behaviour. Opa-Locka, Florida, a city in the city of Miami, forces the offenders to do community service. Some cities issue fines of $500.00 and up to six months in prison.
Some of the cities that have the laws on the books are: Missouri City, Texas (near Houston); Selma, Alabama; Delcambre, Louisiana (near Baton Rouge); Mansfield, Louisiana (near Shreveport); Flint, Michigan; Albany, Georgia; Hahira, Georgia; Dublin, Georgia; Warner - Robbins, Georgia; Hawkinsville, Georgia; Shreveport, Louisiana; and
Alexandria, Louisiana.
Proposed bans are under consideration in Trenton and Pleasantville, N.J.; Charlotte; Dallas; Baltimore; Atlanta and three other Georgia towns including Rome, Brunswick and Plains; Duncan, Okla.; and Yonkers, N.Y.
Several cities have started public service announcements or Billboards condemning the sagging pants, i.e. Brooklyn, New York; Dallas, Texas; and Richmond, Virginia.
Some state legislators are debating statewide bans on the misguided fashion trend this year.
Many places of business i.e. shopping malls, bowling alleys and restaurants have outlawed sagging.
For youngher children, what kind of example does it set for them to see their older uncles, brothers or cousins with their ass all hanging out?
Not to mention the walking like a penguin because your pants are so low. Some saggers in summer months even have the audacity to sag with no underwear on exposing naked buttocks and full frontal pubic hair.
Even the President of the United States has weighed in on it, "... brothers should pull up their pants. You are walking by your mother, your grandmother, your underwear is showing. What's wrong with that? Come on. Some people might not want to see your underwear. I’m one of them."
This is one of the things I agree with Barrack Obama on.
Brothers pull 'em up and tighten your belts. I suggest public cannings in the undies if they wanna sag - shame the fools, if they have any in them - but then again like always -
water seeks its own level.
So why would today's African-American males (since the late 90s) want to wear their trousers in a manner that emulates jail/prison life; or suggest they want to be the receiver of anal sex?
It is probably tied to some misconception that being a thug or homothug is cool, in the same warped rationale that calling members of your own race a 'Nigger' (many times spelled 'Nigga', 'Nuggah' or 'Nikka') is a term of endearment.
Sagging pants has been outlawed in several US cities - citing public indecency or lwed behaviour. Opa-Locka, Florida, a city in the city of Miami, forces the offenders to do community service. Some cities issue fines of $500.00 and up to six months in prison.
Some of the cities that have the laws on the books are: Missouri City, Texas (near Houston); Selma, Alabama; Delcambre, Louisiana (near Baton Rouge); Mansfield, Louisiana (near Shreveport); Flint, Michigan; Albany, Georgia; Hahira, Georgia; Dublin, Georgia; Warner - Robbins, Georgia; Hawkinsville, Georgia; Shreveport, Louisiana; and
Alexandria, Louisiana.
Proposed bans are under consideration in Trenton and Pleasantville, N.J.; Charlotte; Dallas; Baltimore; Atlanta and three other Georgia towns including Rome, Brunswick and Plains; Duncan, Okla.; and Yonkers, N.Y.
Several cities have started public service announcements or Billboards condemning the sagging pants, i.e. Brooklyn, New York; Dallas, Texas; and Richmond, Virginia.
Some state legislators are debating statewide bans on the misguided fashion trend this year.
Many places of business i.e. shopping malls, bowling alleys and restaurants have outlawed sagging.
For youngher children, what kind of example does it set for them to see their older uncles, brothers or cousins with their ass all hanging out?
Not to mention the walking like a penguin because your pants are so low. Some saggers in summer months even have the audacity to sag with no underwear on exposing naked buttocks and full frontal pubic hair.
Even the President of the United States has weighed in on it, "... brothers should pull up their pants. You are walking by your mother, your grandmother, your underwear is showing. What's wrong with that? Come on. Some people might not want to see your underwear. I’m one of them."
This is one of the things I agree with Barrack Obama on.
Brothers pull 'em up and tighten your belts. I suggest public cannings in the undies if they wanna sag - shame the fools, if they have any in them - but then again like always -
water seeks its own level.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Gunfire in the air on New Year's, why?
What goes up, must come down. Why do ignorant fools fire guns into the air on New Year's night? There have been many cases where people have been killed or seriously injured by revelers bringing in the New Year with guns aimed straight to the skies and firing the lethal projectiles.
Yet fools still keep doing it.
Some traditions need to be halted, if for no reason other than after careful evaluation, it doesn't make sense - but then again, water seeks its own level.
Yet fools still keep doing it.
Some traditions need to be halted, if for no reason other than after careful evaluation, it doesn't make sense - but then again, water seeks its own level.
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