POST A PIC

the idea for this blog was borrowed from (busygirl/tumbler) and goes like this.....

go to your computer....your "PICTURES" folder......select the "FOURTH" folder.

pick the "FOURTH" picture- post the pic along w/an explanation...

so i went to my fourth folder (BLOG PICS)- selected the FOURTH pic and here it is......

ARTIST: YAW

*below is an excerpt from a review i did on YAW for the site i write for

www.muzicview.com

At first listen to a track by new artist YAW……. you are literally transcended back in time. Never to be one to get caught up into labels and categories (when it comes to music or life in general), it’s hard to not try to compare the voice that you hear booming out of your computer speakers when you listen. But as hard as you try, you can’t really pin him down to a specific category or genre of music……for me personally YAW is a cross between Anthony Hamilton, Lenny Kravitz, Al Green & Bilal….how’s that for a comparison? Of African descent, YAW’s music embraces both cultures (African & American) and is best self described as “an organic occurrence”. A couple of months ago, a mutual acquaintance introduced me to YAW’s music. Upon first listen to a couple of tracks, I felt like I was sitting in a movie theatre watching the intro to a Spike Lee movie….where the lead actor is sitting on that mechanism that glides them in front of the screen….and Terence Blanchard is playing the instrumentals in the background. The track “GOD” (one of my personal favorites) is a vocal tribute to his ancestors and “WHERE WILL I BE” is reminiscent of the opening of a Spike Lee flick. Having opened for such acts as ERIC ROBERSON & LIZ FIELDS…… YAW has also listed JAGUAR WRIGHT, FLOETRY, and KINDRED & AMEL LARRIEUX as some of his favorite performers. Some of his influences range from the hip hop influenced MOB DEEP, DEAD PREZ, MOS DEF, and PHAROAH MONCE to the throwback vocals of BILL WITHERS, MARVIN GAYE and STEVIE WONDER…which would explain the essence of his music…..”soulful…..telling of someone who has lived many lives belying his true age. Currently unsigned, you can download all of YAW’s tracks at www.Rhapsody.com or you can check him out at www.myspace.com/yawsmusic and find out where he’s performing next.

THE STATE OF HIP HOP TODAY

So I’m watching 106&Park yesterday and they premiere Lil Wayne’s latest video "Lollipop" and after listening to this song- I wonder aloud WHY? I’m just as passionate about my music as I am about my writing. I do listen to ALL genres including hip hop- but I’m old school....and I will admit that I listen to much less of hip hop these days in comparison to the past. The watered down buffoonery they call music these days is laughable. It’s all a formula- hot track, not so hot track, catchy hook- then make up a dance to it and you’ve got a formula hit! And the end of the day today- if that’s what sells.....that’s what we’re subjected to. For me growing up to the likes of KRS-One & Scott La Rock, Eric B & Rakim and Brand Nubians (you get the drift) got me spoiled. Presently I like chillin out to Common, Talib Kweli & The Roots. And rarely do I listen to the radio unless it’s talk radio or jazz or Wendy Williams (sorry- it’s a guilty pleasure that i lu-lu-lu-LUVVVV)..... Anyhoo- back to Lil Weezy...when he first stepped on the scene- his lyric game was GARBAGE- Hefty Garbage! Over the last year or so- it’s stepped up a few notches. Now I don’t know if he’s got someone ghost writing for him or not.....but it’s improved. But this single had me SMH- like WTF? Obviously the video is him in Vegas- tossing back between shots of him riding in a tricked out stretch limo full of video honeys (including Flavor of Love’s Season 2 winner Deelishus- who you’ll miss if u blink too hard) and him on the strip- pretending to play the guitar (maybe he really does- dunno) and him just babbling, moaning, grunting and more or less not saying SHIT.....like literally.... I didnt hear many lyrics- or full on sentences....verses....rhymes....THIS IS MUSIC? THIS IS WORTHY OF BEING IN THE ROTATION? THIS IS SOME BULLSHIT (straight up) Yeah I know the industry’s a numbers game and about making money for the execs -and all about sellling ringtones and downloads in our day and age of technology......so basically I’m just venting...but do the execs think we are that STOOPID- to buy this shit like yeah that’s hot.... I know they do and I know some of us are that stupid. When did we stop listening to the lyrics? If you listen to the lyrics of 1/2 the shit on the radio- it would make you think twice about singing along. CASES IN POINT- "Jump Off"- Omarion & Bow Wow (tight beat taken from LL Cool J’s "Going back to Cali"- but basically they’re talking about how many chicks they can hit- and if a girl is gonna sleep with them- she’s gotta hit ’em both....how old are these children? Souljah Boy’s song- okay "superman dat hoe"- supposedly means if a girl won’t give u sex- u wait till she’s asleep- the guy skeets on her back and sticks the sheet to the cum spot- so that when she gets up- the sheet will be stuck to her thus making the "superman cape"....did anyone really figure this out? Apparently BET didnt give a shit when they had them close out the BET Awards last year- and Reggie Hudlin and execs are in the audience repeating the dance moves.....WOOOOWW "Coffee Shop" (i 4get the rappers name at this moment- but he’s signed to Diddy’s label-Young Joc maybe?)- that’s about the weed he sells......GEESUS KELLY CLARKSON! really? Yes this is just another glaring reminder to me that I’m getting older and the state of our world has gone to shit in a handbasket making me glad that I’m not a parent yet..... I’m sure our parents were just as outraged when we listened to the leg warmer, flip having, mascara wearing Prince back in the ’80’s....LOL What’s your thought on what u hear on the radio if u still listen? What’s your feedback on the state of hip hop today?