Happy Birthday Michael!

"Our angel moonwalking in the sky."

Happy 51st Birthday! We still love and miss you, dearly.

News to Me

I never knew that Boyz II Men made a song for Aaliyah. This is news to me. I guess you hear something new everyday.

"The Aaliyah Song" by Boyz II Men

Can you believe it?

Aaliyah Dana Haughton

(January 16, 1979 - August 25, 2001)

Today's August 25, 2009. Today is also the 8th anniversary of Aaliyah's death. I remember how much her death came as a surprise to everyone- even people who weren't fans of her music.

Everyone was genuinely saddened that such a young, beautiful and talented woman died so tragically. I remember her as the Aaliyah who modeled for Tommy Hilfiger. I remember when she used to wear boxers and baggy pants. I even remember the "Are You That Somebody" video when she was dancing in Sketchers. The saddest thing is that Aaliyah was just getting her feet wet. It would be interesting to know what her career might have evolved into if she was still here. That's why I find it so hard to believe that she would have been 30 in January. I still remember her as the Aaliyah in "Romeo Must Die."

I've realized something. When we lose someone dear to us, even though it may not seem like it, time will eventually heal our hearts or at least teach us how to cope. Time taught us how to cope when The Notorious B.I.G. and 2Pac were murdered. Time taught us how to cope when Eazy-E died of AIDS and when Left Eye died in a car crash. Time will help us cope with Michael Jackson's death.

These people left an incredible mark on their families, their friends and their fans. They still live among us with their music. This blog is dedicated to all the fallen musical angels who were taken before their time, especially Aaliyah and Michael.

Bobbin' to a Throwback

"I Ain't Mad At Cha" by 2Pac

Memories

My family is really close-knit with each other. We have what we call "Family Meetings" on a regular basis. Yesterday, at our family meeting, my parents and a lot of my cousins starting reminiscing about their childhood. They talked about everything from how converses used to cost $6.99 and how they only came in three colors (black, navy and white) to the games they used to play as kids.

When I really sit and think about it, times really have changed. The neighborhood they all grew up in has changed. Even the neighborhood I knew growing up in the 90s has changed. All I could do was laugh when they started talking about "Skelly", "Coco-Levio" and "Piragua."

They said something that was very interesting. They all agreed that technology ruined my generation. They talked about how they knew every kid in their neighborhood within an eight-block radius of their building just because they knew every kid in their neighborhood within an eight-block radius of their building. It's a shame, but I don't even know all the names of the kids on my block. To be honest, I don't really want to know their names either.

Unfortunately, life won't ever be the same as it used to be. The children of future generations will never be as carefree or light-hearted as my parents and cousins were. They'll never know what it's like to be a child. In the world we live in today, they'll have to worry about being abducted by some sick person while walking to school, the swine flu, global warming and school massacres.

I know it might sound melodramatic, but it's true. There will never be a generation that can say they bought a pair of converses for $6.99 or they know what "Skelly" or "Coco-Levio" is. The future generations will know nothing, but video games, computers and television. Most of my generation is rapped up in technology, but at least I can remember a time when technology didn't consume everyday life. I remember jelly shoes, snap bracelets and glow worms. When did life become so complicated?

Bobbin' to a Throwback

"Lady" by D'Angelo

My Beloved Queens (The 90s Version)

I was hype when I first saw this video. I know where the cleaners in this video used to be. It's an auto shop now. The LIRR station still looks the same though. A Tribe Called Quest made me proud to be from Queens.

Good point.

A lot of people envision being successful in their lives. What does being successful mean though? Does it mean making a lot of money or just being able to pay the rent and the light bill? Does it mean being married, having a house with a white picket fence and 2.4 kids? Could it simply mean being happy with who you are and what you have? Is it possible that it varies from person to person?

I know one thing for sure. Many people, including myself, get caught up in superficial stuff. Stuff that's usually expensive and unnecessary. For example, couture anything or high-end anything is highly unnecessary and unsubstantial to human life. No one needs couture clothes, high-end cars, iPods, flat screen televisions or anything of that nature. However, many people will put themselves in debt to obtain these things.

Getting back to the point, the two people below know a lot about being successful. Check out the making of the new video "Successful" with Drake and Trey Songz.

Bobbin' to an Oldie

There have been many instances where I just can't get a song out of my head. Sometimes, the songs trapped within the walls and barriers of my brain are decades old. They were recorded or released before I was even thought of. So, I'm going to post some of them in posts called "Bobbin' to an Oldie." However, if I have anything more recent I'd like to share with you I'll post it as "Bobbin' to a Throwback" or "Bobbin' to a Newbie." I think that's pretty self explanatory.

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"Be Thankful For What You've Got" by William DeVaughn

Sushi = Love

Give Them A Break

A lot of people have been giving Ben J and Legacy (seen left) a lot of flack because of the music they make and more specifically- the way they dress. If you haven't heard of Jerking or their song "You're A Jerk", then you probably wouldn't know that these two go by the name New Boyz.

Personally, I don't have a problem with their music or the way they dress. I'm a fan of mismatched clothing and skinny jeans. People should be happy that they're being themselves. Besides, no one would even be interested in them if they looked and sounded the same as everyone on the radio. If they were, they would be boring, unoriginal and a waste of radio time.

I've noticed that some people think the dance trend/craze is pointless. Hence the idea that the music they make is pointless. What some people fail to realize is that there is a newer generation of listeners. If you haven't noticed that newer generation likes to dance. So why wouldn't the newer generation of artists and entertainers make dance records? Even then why should it matter? Why does every record have to be gloomy and serious? Why shouldn't some records be fun and light-hearted?

For the people complaining about them, maybe the records they make aren't made to service your listening needs. Maybe they're making music for people their age and people who can relate (which obviously isn't you).

Bottom Line: Let them be.

I want this phone.

Blackberry Tour 9630

The Tomboy Arises

.The luscious smell of kicks.

See more here.

Stuck In My Head

Outstanding by The Gap Band

I'm very excited.

Although it's early August, some students around the country are getting ready to go back to school. My grandfather who lives in Georgia called me and told me the kids down there started school yesterday. Lucky for me and a lot of other kids who live farther north, we don't go back to school until after Labor Day Weekend.

This year just so happens to be a very important year for me. This upcoming year will be my last and final hurrah of high school. If you haven't caught on yet, I'm talking about my senior year. I'm feeling so many emotions right now. It's crazy! The SAT (again), college essays and applications. After Easter, it's a straight shoot to finals, prom, and graduation.

I'm not worried about getting accepted into a school or being homesick. I'm worried that I haven't found "it" yet. "It" is the school. I haven't visited a school where I knew for sure that was where I was supposed to be...meant to be...destined to be. I just hope I find "it" before it's time for applications to go out.

Did you know?

Did you know that yesterday was President Obama's birthday? To be honest, I didn't. Happy belated birthday, Sir!