New Video: Ciara "Got Me Good"

Ok, so Ciara is back to making music. After selling 37k in the first week for her last effort, she is starting to get the fact that this is do or die. Three back to back flops? Unheard of. I don't know who she is dating or if she has dirt on L.A. Reid, but this girl has been given a lot more chances than most. Her first single was "Sorry" for which I actually like the song and video. This next single (or single 1b if you ask her hardcore Stans) "Got Me Good" returns Ciara to music to which she can dance and twerk around. Afterall, isn't that why we all fell for her the first go round? It wasn't her voice. And lord knows she had to grow into her looks...

Anyway, this song has a retro vibe to it. I think people were assuming she would go the full female Usher route and get us all fist pumping and twirling our glow sticks, but she went left. If that was a good decisions remains to be seen.

The video is BEAUTIFULLY shot in the desert. Ciara looks great in the white outfit. SHe is dancing throughout and dancing HARD. I really enjoy watching her dance. Say what you want to about her singing/acting/ and everything else, but the boy can dance! The choreo has a ton of footwork and looks even cooler against a desert backdrop. It reminds me of her "Work" video and her video with Missy for "Lose Control" I doubt this song will really impact pop or even R&B radio, but I sure hope it does. I think Ciara is talented and I just want to see her be successful in her own lane. Peep the clip:

Pop Culture Politics

Is it bad that I really just can’t get into politics? The lies and broken promises alone is enough to sour anyone on the whole thing. We are in an election year in this great country so politics are EVERYWHERE and thanks to the internet, I get to see everyone’s stupid opinion. I haven’t been able to watch a Presidential debate yet, but felt like I have thanks to Twitter and Facebook. I did catch the VP debate and was bored. It was a lot of finger pointing and stunts. I have come to the conclusion that debates are dumb. They don’t swing any voters to the other side. All they are is a pep rally for your candidate. I highly doubt any Romney supporter was all “That Barack has something about him! I say let’s give him 4 more years! He debated his ASS off tonight!” Obama supporters were too busy making Memes about Binders of women (which for the record, I don’t think is that shocking or interesting.) to even hear what Mittens had to say.

I don’t like to bitch and moan about things without providing a solution. So what’s my solution? WELL, I love pop culture and so does everyone else (that’s why it’s popular culture, duh) so I suggest that we marry pop culture and politics! I’ll wait for your applause.

We want a strong, stand up president. I say we bring back American Gladiators and have those steroid pumped citizens put these men through the ringer. If you can take a pugil stick to the head like a man, then you shouldn’t be leading our troops to war.
After Bush, I think we can ALL agree that we want a president who is seen as a scholar. Let’s put the candidates on Jeopardy. You can talk about all the foreign policy you want, but does anyone REALLY know where Uzbekistan is?

Getting along with members of different parties is inevitable if a president wants to get anything done during his time in office. I propose setting up a Real World scenario to see how these guys act when people stop being polite (or political) and start getting REAL. I do fear that Joe Biden might turn it into Bad Girls Club and Ryan would end up leaving after being tormented. I could be wrong. Probably not.

I love Undercover Boss. It really let’s people up top know how the people down below are living. I find it hard to make it through a show without tearing up. Then again I get emotional during Mary J videos, so that’s maybe not the best measure. Anyway, if these guys are planning on running this country, they need to see how most people live. I hear stories of poor families and downtrodden cities that these men have overcome, but I want to see them in action. Give them a job with a pay rate that reflects the norm. How do they eat? How do they pay rent. Can they still summer in Turks and Caicos? Oh, and give them some student loans, cause those bitches aren’t a joke. I feel like Undercover Boss might end up turning into Survivor. I feel like Obama might have a slight edge on this one, but I dunno.


I think a photo says a lot. We want a president that is easy on the eyes, no? America wants to be seen as the sexy bitch of a country that she is, so we need a president that conveys that message. I think we should call in Tyra and her gang to put the boys through an ANTM bootcamp. She could teach them how to take better photos and how to give different smizes. Like the “Stop your nuclear programme or we WILL attack” smize or the “Hey China, we’re gonna need some more time on those loans” smize.

People are loving shows like X Factor and The Voice. I really don’t think Xtina or Britney need to be giving candidates advice, but I think it’d be fun to bring back Bill Clinton, a Bush and Jimmy Carter. They’ve been there. They know the real deal. You can bullshit a bullshitter. It wouldn’t have to be party specific for coaches. Like one week Bill could show Mitt how to get Black people (other than Stacy Dash) to like him. Maybe teach him some sax. Maybe Carter and Bush could teach Obama how to be more American. They could dress him in cowboy boots and take him shooting. The growth from both men would be great and would make for excellent television.

OK I know none of his will ever happen and if it does I want FULL credit for it. At this point I would settle for a debate mediated by one Niecy Nash. She is a sassy black woman who will not hesitate to call a person out on the foolishness. That is a debate I would take work off to watch. Hell if we could get Niecy in the cabinet somehow and make that reality show I’d be on board with that too.

People love their pop culture. We watch new music videos when they come out and quickly pass on memes that usually aren’t funny. We need to find a way to ensure that some passion is put towards politics. Yes, they aren’t outwardly that exciting but they impact all of us. It’s crazy to see how many people are content to just lie there and take it like some sad prison bitch. I’m not super political at all, but I take pride in doing my part and voting. I had so many people fight for my right to do so, it seems ridiculous not to. And no, it’s not because I’m black. Even White Americans can take it back to our struggle to separate from England so our voices could be heard. I have never voted for any Idol, X Factor etc, but I damn sure plan on voting this year. God Bless America!!! (And no place else)

LHH: ATL Reunion Part 2

So last night was the second part of the reunion of the show that I somehow fell in love with. My thoughts as I watched the reunion:

Mona Scott- Young, that was a horrible ass cliff hanger! “Stevie, are you and Joseline together?” was how she left part one of the reunion, and then we saw a clip of JOSELINE saying “I am only using him for his sex and his money” Anyone with half a brain knew the answer to that. You don’t date men like JOseline, you skeet skeet skeet and keep it moving. The love triangle segment continues on and they get into the therapy session. Mimi seems REAL bitter (shock) and Steebie looks really sketchy and Chester T. Molestor. Steebie comes for Mimi, making it seem like she was only there for his money. Anyone that has seen his leaked pictures on the internet knows the REAL reason why these heiffas are trying to “ride on his bus” Am I the only one who is thinking that Steebie’s bus is of the short variety?

Mona gets all deep and puts together the fact that all three in the love triangle have Mommy issues. We get to see Joseline talking to her mom and stepdad. Her mom needed subtitles too! Like mother, like daughter! Well, I guess it’s different because her mom is speaking Spanish. We see Joseline break down. Even Funky Dineva is doing the Oprah lean in to show that he is truly going through it. OOp! The nice moment ends quickly as Joseline tells Mimi that she needs to get off Steebie’s case and that it’s not her fault that Mimi isn’t a supastah like her. Mimi ain’t wit it. We then see a montage of Steebie wiping sweat off Joseline’s nose. I never really noticed that, but it’s kinda weird. I’m over these people and glad they moved onto the next f’ed up relationship.

I’m glad to see Scrappy, Erica and her soup coolers and Shay’s busted hair situation hit the stage. I could honestly listen to Scrappy talk all damn day. He speaks so slowly that it just kind of makes me want to curl up and take a nap. Oop! I got distracted for a minute by facebook and the next thing I hear is “is that your bitch? Does she not know her place?” Erica is NOT the one! Shay then says “fuck you and your bun” but I don’t think making fun of Erica’s hair is appropriate when her wig is busted. I do think it has a purpose, as her ghetto little mermaid meets Farrah Fawcett do would not be good for fighting on stage. She needed something light and off her neck. PLUS you have to get hella close to snatch that wig. She may look a damn donkey, but at least she is ready to fight. Ohh, I was right, cause Shay just got cut off by Erica and does NOT like it. Mona has to tell her to keep her shoes on and her butt on the seat.

Momma Dee comes out and they show a montage of all of her fuckery. I fell in love with this woman all over again. Hold up, did this heiffa just give her son a plastic ass crown after giving a heartfelt speech? Is that normal? Probably not. Do I love her more? Yup. Scrappy starts dropping the friend card a LOT with Shay and she is NOT pleased. “The things that are in my name need to be in her name” Ohhh, is it like that Shay? She storms off the stage and said that Scrappy promised he wouldn’t do her like that. She stands up and we get to see her dress and things go from sad to DREADFUL. The hell? She needs better homosexuals in her life.
Best marriage proposal: If it don’t work, it’s cool, but iz you gonna marry a N*gga?
Erica: Yes!!
Ian: That’s love! That’s love! Black love! (I stole that from Whitney Houston on Being Bobby brown)

Karlie discusses how it is hard to be in love while having a career. She has a career? She brings Benzino a stupid shirt that no one laughed over. It was really awkward and dumb. Rasheeda talks about choosing love and K Michelle puts aside her hate to salute Rasheeda and Kirk for the love that they have.

The show wraps up with a saccharine sweet ending highlighting Scrappy and Erica’s love. Momma Dee even gets in on it and gives Erica her approval. I must say that I am going to miss this show. I really didn’t know who these people were. I had heard of Scrappy and K. Michelle (from R. Kelly’s last CD) but was unsure of why I should give a damn about anyone else. Sure enough, they all wiggled their way into my cold heart. This season definitely trumps NY. How am I supposed to fill this void in my life for all things ratchet?

Things I will miss:

K. Michelle’s one liners

K. Michelle’s numerous hair changes every episode

Momma Dee when she’s off her meds

Joseline speaking

Hearing Scrappy say “PAWS”

Thinking of new ways to express just how laid Rasheeda’s hair is

The pussy pat dance for “Marry Me”

Joseline-isms (ie… Steebie, he fucked my brain! Or Steebie gonna send me back to da strip club!”)


You should have seen this already, but this still makes me laugh:

LHH: ATL Reunion Part 1

OK, so I rushed home from a 1a-11:30a shift to see this reunion as I KNEW some thangs were going to go down. This season had so much drama and they’ve all had time to watch the show and act up on Twitter, so I knew the show was going to be hot. Mona starts out on the defensive. She knows the show is ratchet as hell and portrays Black women as quick to flip hoodrats. She defends herself by saying it was never her intent for the show to be a reflection of Black women. I suppose, but it just seems a bit skewed when most Black women on reality TV are more Tami Roman than Claire Huxtable. I’m just saying… Before I go on let me just remind my non black readers that not all black people are angry, loud and willing to fight. Fortunately, the cast of Love and Hip Hop; Atlanta is and that makes for awesome television.

Cue K. Michelle popping off on Karlie 2 minutes into the show. (yay for keeping it positive, Mona and co!) Apparently Karlie said that she was the same age as K and K Michelle said that she marched with Martin Luther King. HAHA. Really? K Michelle lays into Karlie for another two minutes and Karlie just sits there with her “Beat It” tribute dress on. MJ was smiling down from Heaven. Well, if he liked hoodrat shit.

A viewer asks about plastic surgery. Karlie, Joseline and K Michelle had breasts done. Duh. The news of the night came in the bomb that Joseline was born a woman? Mona saw her get naked to take a pregnancy test. Umm is that normal?

They get into Karli running her damned mouth too much and the soundbites are great! Basically we get to re-live all the foolishness and fuckery that was tied to this chick. We also found out that she has a daughter but won’t tell her age. My guess? 28. Funky Dineva shows his wonderful face and asks her about not being signed to Cash Money. Turns out that she wasn’t under cash money management. Like why like about that on television when people can EASILY check facts? Bitch ain’t even got a Wikipedia! (copyright K. Michelle)

K. Michelle tries to come for Rasheeda and her perfectly laid Pocahontas hair. BIG mistake. The Boss showed up and sat the HELL up in her chair. Her hair is obedient as hell and didn’t MOVE. Then K Michelle tries to talk about the bags under Rasheeda’s eyes! Girl almost got another domestic disturbance case just like that. Girl was QUICK!

Next, we get to watch Lil Scrappy put his paws on Steebie. Apparently Mona edited it down to cut back on the violence on the network (side eye) and sat down the two couples involved to delve deeper into the situation.
Mona: so tell us more about what happened
Lil Scrappy: I put my paws on him!
Ian: *dead*

Then they start calling each other bitch this bitch that and a fight almost erupts until MOMMA DEE says “Y’all need to END THIS CONVERSATION!” There were two members of team zest there who were obviously whipped into a tizzy. Steebie is now saying that no paws were laid on him and Scrappy almost takes his belt off (no homo?) in order to show that he will whoop dat ass again.
Finally Momma Dee comes up. Basically she didn’t want it to end in violence (bullshit) but she is the queen and her son is the prince and she can’t have people just coming up in the castle disrespecting her throne. Don’t they typically medicated people who talk like this?!

Next up we touch up the love triangle (well a quadrangle if you include Ariane, who seems to happy to be the fourth) We see a bunch of footage of Mimi getting disrespected and all I can think of is Monica’s “Sideline Ho” Like she got played on national television. Repeatedly. Joseline tells us that she’s not here for marriage: she’s here for dick and money. Just when I think this chick can’t get any deeper… Ariane, checks Steebie in her outfit that I’m sure is a tribute to Judy Jetson. Joseline is asked by Mona if she has any tips for Mimi to handle Steebie. Mona, quit being disrespectful!

***Joseline quote: I’m a woman of god and fuck y’all who don’t believe it!*****

I personally am still trying to process all the foolishness that I just watched. It was extra! I think next week will be great. I am really glad they gave us a preview so I could be ready for that offensive ass hair Shay (That’s Buckeey to most of us) is trying to pull off. It’s like a tribute to turbans and frozen yogurt. I am excited to see next week. Maybe K Michelle will have a wig change or 6! I’m sure Joseline will talk about her love of money, dick and Jesus and I cannot wait!

R.I.P Aaliyah: 11 Years Later

So today marks the 11th year since Aaliyah died. Crazy to think that a decade plus has passed since that day.I remember when Princess Diana died and my mum cried. I didn't understand how she could cry for a person that she had never met. I gained that understanding on August 25, 2001. I remember that day so vividly and watching in horror as the news anchors on CNN announced her plane crashing. This was way before Twitter deaths and other internet BS, so there was no use in me rushing home to check sources. I felt a sadness wash over me and I literally shed tears for a person whom I had never met.

So with the whole news that Drake was going to produce a posthumous CD for her I began thinking about her even more than usual. What would her place be in today’s music scene? We are in a time when people from her era are struggling to remain relevant (Oh hey Brandy and Monica) and people aren’t buying R&B music anymore. Would she like so many be forced to change her sound in favour of a more electo dance vibe (That one was for YOU Usher!)? Would Aaliyah even like Drake and his take on what SHE should sound like?

I have to stop asking so many questions, as it’s pointless. The world will never know. All these questions and Aaliyah could very well have decided to go into movies full time or just give it all up to have some babies. Instead of trying to figure out what could have been, I guess I should just focus on her legacy. Sadly any ethnic girl who sometimes dances and has longish hair (*cough* Sabi) still get pegged as cheap imitators. Now you KNOW you are bad, when you’ve been gone for 11 years and STILL have people talking about your signature Sexy Tom Boy style. Her music is still relevant and referenced in a time when people are ADD and get over people in a month’s time. I was in Chicago a few weekends ago and her song “Are you That Somebody” came on. EVERYONE and their mother was going hard. I may or may NOT have been leading a revival of the choreography, but that is neither here nor there. My point is that for a life and career to have been cut so short, it speaks volumes that she is still being talked about. I hope people are as thankful for her life as I am. Without Aaliyah we very well might not have Beyonce as we know her. Of course Bey would be singing, but would she be the face of L’Oreal and making movies? Would Rihanna be able to rock baggy pants, Jordans and a snapback and STILL get called sexy instead of a straight up lesbian? See where I’m going with this? The woman made her mark and forever changed the face of R&B (and pop to a certain degree) music. On this anniversary of the day she was called to heaven, let’s pay some homage to a girl that was truly one in a million.

Love and Hip Hop: ATL Style

So I put off watching Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta. I saw who they were casting and this overwhelming feeling of “who the F is that?” washed over me. Plus I had heard that Khia was in talks to be cast on it. Shoot, if Khia was on this show, I’d be watching this show in a heartbeat! I went ahead and watched it anyway, as I heard that it was ratchet as hell. Since Basketball Wives is on break, I need some hood shit to tide me over.
I guess I should have remembered that when I started watching Love and Hip Hop, I initially was clueless to the identity of like 80% of the cast. Olivia was the one who stood out, as I remembered her 2.5 hits. I grew to love those women and their stories, so I guess letting in these ATLiens into my heart shouldn’t be that much of a stretch

Mimi & Stevie J: Stevie J is a name that I heard before. I’m not sure how, but apparently he has been Mariah adjacent, so he is good in my book. His wife Mimi is the polar opposite to Chrissy. She puts up with his trifling ass ways and seems to let him get away with a smile. The ninja bought her a house in the country for her and their daughter. He went out of his way to make it known that it was for them and not him. That screams: I’m shipping your ass away so I can bang bang bang and then skeet skeet skeet.

Erica: she is REAL southern in the way she speaks. She apparently is Lil’ Scrappy’s baby’s mother. Her cheated on her when he blew up and she took his ass back when the other chick cheated on him. She has a really nice smile, but I think this broad is silly as hell for putting up with Lil Scrappy

Lil Scrappy: I still can’t put my finger on any of the songs he has been on. Maybe he’s big in the trap?

K. Michelle: We meet her and she is screaming a song. She lets us know that she likes to rock out with her cock out. She is giving me a whole LOT of Keyshia Cole fever. I actually think he voice is a bit more controlled and refined compared to Keyshia. Apparently she was dating some guy at her label, Jive and he beat her and jacked up her career.

Ariane: Mimi’s girl. I like her. She is trying to knock some sense into her girl’s silly ass. At one point she asks if it’s the dick that keeps Mimi around. Haha. Klass Act.

Joseline: I’ll be honest, when I saw the promo pictures I really thought this girl was transgendered. She kind of reminds me of Eddie Murphy’s ex, Nicole. She does her interviews in this swimsuit type thing and all I Can look can look at are her massive village feeders. She really looks like a busted ass RIhanna and it’s clear that Stevie J and her have something from the jump. Then she goes on talking about the sex and how he “fucks her brain” Umm, girl ok?

Mama Dee: NYC cast had Mama Jones, this cast has Mama Dee. She seems a bit more composed, but she quickly shows her ass. She has her own catch phrase, IN THAT ORDER!! She says it often, even when it doesn’t make any damned sense. I guess branding is important. Apparently she was a pimp. No, like she literally was pimping. The hell?

The characters of course all run in the same circle and end up at K Michelle’s party where one of the guests lets Mimi know that Joseline holds her man Stevie J DOWN! Oop! Mimi is about to pop off, but then she just sits there like a silly ho. There is more screaming, yelling and drank throwing.

Question: Why would Stevie J allow his affair to be shown on camera like that? Doesn’t that look horrible professionally? Also I don’t think Mariah would endorse such foolery. Oh and beyond that, he has a child, that is not growing up in a bubble and is sure to catch wind of her fucked up family life being discussed all over the internet. That is messed up. With that being said, I will probably watch as I saw a preview for the season where someone shakes the table. K Michelle says something like “don’t shake unless you ready to get shook!” There is a pregnancy scare and the guys start scapping. I feel bad watching this train wreck, but at least I’m not selling drugs. It could be worse. Leave me alone.

Album Review: Usher-Looking For Myself

So Usher’s “Looking for Myself” officially dropped today. The title is interesting given the fact that so many artists, especially R&B singers, seem to be looking for themselves. People aren’t buying CDs in America anymore and a more pop/dance sound sells like hotcakes overseas. So do you pay your bills and make music for the masses, or do you stay “true” to R&B and maybe have to work a few swing shifts at Wendy’s to make ends meet? Decisions, decisions. It appears that Usher is pulling a Nicki Minaj and attempting to give all of his fans something.

For the Glowstick Set:

Can’t Stop Won’t Stop- This song actually samples “Uptown Girl” I think will.i.am produced it. It sounds kind of like a rehash of “OMG” but in a good way, if that even makes sense.

Scream- The second single which is hella upbeat and dancefloor friendly. I love the energy of this song. It wasn’t until about my 20th listen that I actually listened to the lyrics and realized just how sexual it is. Needless to say I loved it even more. “Realx and get on your back, if you wanna scream” GENIUS.

Climax: I loved this song from the get go. I love Diplo’s production on it. I think it is the perfect balance between electro pop and R&B. Usher’s vocals and falsetto bring a soul to the song that can easily be lost in electro music.

Numb: I feel like he attacks the beginning of this song with the same energy and intensity as “Without You” In fact this song sounds like it could be a part 2. A lesser part 2.

Euphoria: this is getting back into the dance vibe. It almost reminds me of a less inspired “Where Are You Now” I really enjoy this track


Skeet Music:

I Care: Usher slows it down a bit over a bumping and grinding beat that has been updated for 2012. It’s pretty sexual.

Show me: The beat to this song is really light and breezy, but I’m not really that into it. It’s not bad, it just is. The song kind of reminds me of Chris Brown’s “Forever” Plus, I think “show me what you came here for” just doesn’t sit right with me grammatically.

Lemme See: This song features Rick Ross and has a sexy ass vibe to it. He busts out the falsetto in an attempt to get some panties to drop. “hollering bout what you gonna do to me/ don’t talk about it, be about it/lemme see lemme see” 2 things: 1.) I’m sick of hearing the MAYBACH MUSIC in every Rick Ross Song 2.) Did Rick Ross just say that a chick looked like Trayvon Martin in her hoodie? The hell?

Twisted: This song features Pharrell, who I LOVE. The beat is really different and totally Skateboard P, yet sounds like a total throwback to a 70s vibe. I could see Pam Grier shooting at some jive turkeys while this played in the backround.

Dive: Rico Love penned track that has minimal production but allows Usher’s voice to really shine and soar. “The walls are looking like the might precipitate” Once again, after a few listens I think this song is super sexual and he’s talking about vagina.

What Happened To U: This song just has Usher patting himself on his pat and I’m not really here for all that.

Looking for Myself: The title track. Surprisingly it is boring as hell. I don’t really care for the song at all.

Lessons for the Lovers: Bump and grind music. Not really my thing, but a decent R&B track nonetheless. I guess if I had someone to bump and/or grind I’d have a different appreciation for it.

Sins of My Father: I like the groove of the track and Usher’s delivery has such a rich and old feel to it that it just resonates with me.

IFU- this track has a lot going on. I think it’s in a good way. It’s sexy and has hands claps. It’s a decent song.

Say the Words: I don’t really like this song. It sounds like a bonus track (NOT in a good way)

2nd Round: Eh. IT’s ok, nothing to write about. SO I’m going to stop writing about it. Now. There. I am done.

Hot Thing: Doing too much, yet does NOTHING at all. Ok, that’s how I felt the first two listens, but now I feel like I’d shake my hindquarters to this in a club.

Overall this is a pretty solid album. Yes, it has it’s share of fillers. It’s not a classic, but it is a decent album. I think Usher will please his core fans while broadening his appeal with some songs outside of his usual genre. I have seen the blogs and the comments with people wanting “the old Usher” back, but come on people! If he were to put out an album in the same vein as “Confessions” people would say that he isn’t trying new things, or that he sounds played out. The man is trying new things. Some of them work, some of them don’t. I think it should be applauded when musicians take risks and experiment with their sound. (granted I don’t think going the Guetta route is that risky, but whatever) Usher’s voice is on point in this project and I’m sure he will perform his ass off to make the songs come alive in the video. I’m excited what’s to come from this album.