New music: John Legend + Andre 3000

Love this song for so many reasons.

” Green Light” John Legend + Andre 3000

Music throwback

I can hear you singing already!!

I Adore Mi Amore

Tonight

I’m trying to organize my CDs and found the jackpot collection:  Society of Soul (only if you’re an ATLien), Blackstreet (the 1st one), Immature’s ‘Playtyme  is over’, Portishead ‘Dummy’, The Beatnuts ‘Stone Crazy’ and Maxwell’s Unplugged album.  I thought I’d lost some of this when I moved in ’04.  What a find!!

My iPod’s up to 62GB of stuff.  Bout to push it to the limit.

Music is a universal language

I love many different kinds of music and I’m always down for getting exposed to new/different sounds. So I’ll share some of my favorites and you’ll share some of yours…PLEASE! It was hard for me to narrow it down to 7; I wasn’t always successful. Don’t feel constricted by this. Add however many (more or less) you want. It’s much appreciated! Here are my faves:

7 albums I can’t live without
– Donny Hathaway “Extension of a Man”
– Radiohead “OK Computer”
– Jill Scott “Words and Sounds Volume 1”
– Gorillaz “Gorillaz”
– OutKast “Aquemini”
– Stevie Wonder “Innervisions”
– Michael Jackson “Thriller”

Hot and cold

Hot – I left the heat on in my apartment, along with broccoli and potatoes on the stove.  I came home to a HOT FUNKY MESS!!  Funny thing is that I wasn’t even in a rush this morning.  I woke up with plenty of time to cook the veggies.  Why didn’t I put them in the fridge?  I have no idea.

Cold – So it’s starting to get a bit chilly ’round these parts.  I’d been getting away with wearing sweatshirts or 2 t-shirts and a sweater up until last week.  I finally had to break out the fleece.  I have figured out some tricks to maintaining my cool in the cool.

1. Don’t leave yourself exposed.  I’m telling you, socks that are too short or a jacket/sweater that doesn’t cover your neck is a waste of money here.
2. Be about business.  Walk like you have to be somewhere 5 minutes ago.  No sense in lollygagging with Jack Frost.  We’re not homies.
3. Blast your soundtrack.  I always have my headphones in with some type of music blasting.  After tests, it’s been The Killers, although I’m still listening to that Donnie song.  I love it!
4. The power of positive thinking.  We all know it’s cold, so there’s no need to whine about it.  All of my playlists include a warm-weather song.  You know, something to remind you of sunshine and flip flops.  “Summertime” and “Summer Rain” are perfect for powerwalking home with frostbitten toes.

See!  It’s not so bad.  🙂
But seriously, this broccoli funk is making me feel queasy.

How I’m feeling (in 3 songs)

I haven’t done a music post in quite a while and I don’t really know why.  I made a short playlist for my Friday night cleaning (lame, I know) with 7 songs that were speaking to me.  Three of them are really making me smile right now.  Enjoy!

Cloud 9 – Donnie
“We live from the head down and not the feet up”

Momentinlife (Featuring Kindred The Family Soul & Cee-Lo) – Musiq
“Have you ever had that moment in life when everything was cool? Didn’t have to worry about the time; it all went as it should. You were having the greatest moment in life.”

Flying Easy – Donny Hathaway
“We’re flying easy and we do just what we please.”

How are y’all feeling?

Gotta love friendly banter

So, I don’t know what even made me visit e’s page yesterday, but man did I pick the perfect day!  He was posting about the top 5 rappers of all time, and how they’re all still alive (eliminating Biggie and Pac).  I agree with him for the most part on his top 5: Rakim and KRS are not even up for debate.

Nas is a different beast and he’s been consistently good for a minute.  He’s still putting out HIGH quality stuff right now.  Definitely in the top.

Now LL…E had to come with a follow-up post regarding this inclusion.  Lots of folks were like HUH?  But I feel where he’s coming from…now. 

My issue was a short statement made towards the end of the original post.
“I will never get why people want to throw Andre 3000 in any convo for greatest ever”

I just about had a heart attack.  I think I was out too, reading the page from my Blackberry.  I was trying to think and type.  Wasn’t working so well.  lol  Needless to say, I (and several other readers) stated our case for Andre being at least mentioned in the top 10 lyricists.  Maybe not the GOAT, but he’s consistently great, as I stated.

E even posted on it at his discussion site.  I posted a looooooooooooong response there.  He respects my opinion.  I respect his.

Gotta love friendly banter!  Nothing ever got too personal, as it often does on music site I read.  I won’t even comment over there.  Now he might’ve been cursing me out under his breathe, but nothing disrespectful got posted.

Just out of curiosity, who would you put in your top 10 lyricist list?

Now I know my ABCs

Straight from the homie brran, here’s a music meme to reflect how eclectic your music collection might be.  (Am I the only person who doesn’t know exactly what a ‘meme’ is?)

Put your music library in alphabetical order by song, then take the first song for each letter of the alphabet. No repeat artists. Tag five people then let them know they’ve been tagged to do the meme themselves.

“A.D. 2000” – Erykah Badu
“B Boys Will B Boys” – Black Star
“C-Bonics” – Cassidy
“D-Boi” – Big Boi
“E to The” – Ebrahim
“F!ck The Government” – T.I.
“Gal from Joe’s” – Nina Simone
“Hail Mary/Our Father” – Beanie Sigel
“I Ain’t Gotta Tell You” – Ne-Yo
“Jada’s Got a Gun” – Jadakiss
“K.O.S. (Determination)” – Black Star / “Karma Police” – Radiohead
“L.A.” – Murs & 9th Wonder
“M1 A1” – Gorillaz
“N.S.U. (January 10 1967)” – Cream
“O’ Sailor” – Fiona Apple
“P Diddy – Talks About TI” – TI/Diddy “P.D.A. (We Just Don’t Care)” – John Legend
“Quando, Quando, Quando” – Michael Buble’
“R.O.C.” – Jay-Z Feat. Beanie Sigel & Memphis Bleek / “Radio Song” – Jet
“S**k My Kiss” – Red Hot Chili Peppers
“T.I. Vs. T.I.P.” – T.I. / “Table Dance” – Tela Feat. Jazzy Pha (flash back to high school!  LOVED Tela)
“U a Pro” – Sean Paul
“Vacay” – TiRon
“W.P.I.M.P.” – Lil’ Kim
“X & Y” – Coldplay
“Y?” – Pharcyde
“Zen Ft. Pusha, Sandman, Liva & Malice” – Clinton Sparks & Clipse

That was interesting…again!

Random ipod shuffle thing

I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time but kept suppressing the urge.  lol

MEME Rules:
1. Put Your itunes/ music player on Shuffle
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER WHAT
After you’ve answered all of the questions, tag 5 other people and then let them know they’ve been tagged to do the meme themselves!

IF SOMEONE SAYS “IS THIS OKAY” YOU SAY?

“Sound Check (Gravity)” – Gorillaz

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?

“Every Ghetto” – Nas

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?

“D’Evils 2008” – Mick Boogie and Talib Kweli

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?

“Go!” – Common

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?

“What’s Life Like” – Raphael Saadiq.  lol

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?

“Take Off Your Cool” – Andre 3000 feat. Norah Jones.  Oh yes sir!

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?

“Ready For Love” – India.Arie.  Aww hell.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS?

“You Gots To Chill” – EPMD LOL

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?

“Girls” – Beastie Boys.  Oh hell nah!

WHAT IS 2+2?

“Cheatin’ on We” – Field Mob.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?

“Mince Meat” – Danger Doom.  Hmm…

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?

“Sunshine” – Lupe Fiasco.  That’s sweet

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?

“The Healer” – Erykah Badu.  Wow.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

“Hurricane Song” – CYNE.  I want a do-over on that one.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?

“Bitch N—-” – Dem Franchise Boyz.  WTF?

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?

“Emotional” – Carl Thomas.  LOL

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?

“It’s Love” – Jill Scott.  Perfect!

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?

“Art and Life” – Beenie Man.

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?

“U Know” – Boyz II Men.  I mean, do you?

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?

“Nickel Bags” – Digable Planets.  LMAO!!!!!!

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?

“If” – TiRon.  ???

WHAT SHOULD YOU POST THIS AS?

“Paradise Child” – Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley

That’s cute.

Mellow-smooth playlist

I’m always listening to music – in my car, in the shower, before bed, when I’m exercising. I love it. Here’s what I’ve been listening to lately:

Noel Gourdin – “The River”
Honestly, I think this is a song Donny Hathaway would sing if he were still alive and well in 2008. It’s wonderful.

John Mayer – “The Village Sessions”
Not that I didn’t like Continuum, but it’s like he peeked in my brain and saw my thoughts and did everything I was thinking on these tracks and made them better. Love JM.

Joi – “Star Kitty’s Revenge”

Amel Larrieux – “Bravebird”
Her voice is like pure silk.

Paolo Nutini – “These Streets”
I never get tired of this album.

Emily King – “East Side Stories” thanks to thaboogiemonsta for the recommendation!
Steph, you’ll love her.

OutKast – “ATLiens”
Listen to track 7 for mention of my high school. 😉

Estelle – “Shine”

Algebra – “Purpose”

Maxwell – “Embrya”

This is such a mellow group of albums and I’ve done it on purpose. I’m absolutely rejecting any negativity and ill-feelings coming my way. No stress allowed. I’m cool, calm and stressless. I love it!

I had a conversation with this guy recently about performers. He was convinced that Maxwell puts on the best show ever. I’ve seen Maxwell live several times and, although I adore him, I had to disagree. My top performer(s) would have to be Prince and Jill Scott. I’m lucky in that I’ve never been to a bad show. I learned early on that I don’t like big venues (arenas and stadiums) so I only go to shows at smaller spots. That improves the experience so much! Did I tell you about the Anthony Hamilton concert at the Roxy when he disappeared mid-song only to reappear right next to me in the audience still singing?!?! Awesome.

So…who are your favorite live performers?

And the ‘reviews’ on Amazon.com are hilarious! Some are paragraphs long. I think some people are practicing their journalism skills out or something. I mean, people go through each track on an album and give you a detailed analysis of the rhyme pattern, production, the artist’s growth and everything. Dude, you don’t get paid for this. Chill!

White horse + A-town classics

It started off with me trying to listen to “Star Kitty’s Revenge” online.  I could only find 3 or 4 full-length songs.  I don’t know where my cd is but I used to listen to this album daily.  Techno pimpin’!  Anyway, I listened to “lick” a few times then read that it was a sample of some “White horse” song.  I didn’t know the song, so I googled it. 
Come to find out I do know the song…very well!!  And it’s been sampled a million times, even by Kilo Ali!!  But what tripped me out the most was learning that the dudes were from Denmark!  I thought they were some brothers from Chicago.  They had me fooled.  lol

So now it’s stuck in my head. 

Speaking of Kilo Ali, look what good ol’ youtube supplied me with:
Kilo Ali – Show me love 
KP & Envyi – Shorty Swing My Way (Polow Da Don has a curl in the video!)
Ghost Town DJs – My boo
A-Town Players – Wassup Wassup
Raheem The Dream – The Most beautiful girl

I have the sudden urge to go to West End Mall now.  lmao  Good memories!