Monday, February 28, 2005

I'm Just Sayin Though-- Week 2

I don't know what Black entertainment is coming to, but this is ridiculous.
I was talking with my brother who is overseas and he was asking me what music I'm listening to these days because there seems to be a lot of redundancy in the typically "Black" genres of Hip Hop and R&B. Nowadays I listen to mostly neo-soul and underground hip-hop... the commercialization of the generes has become almost too much to bear. Case in point, Ciara (if you don't know who she is, its ok, I barely know either) and Usher, the target of my last rant, are both slated to receive the Sammy Davis Jr Entertainer of the Year Award at the Soul Train Awards tonight.
HUH????!?!?!

Ciara…

I have to start my rant by asking the third grader question…. So forgive me.

Who the hell is Ciara and what has she done to garner the Entertainer of the Year Award?

Oh Lord have mercy, what is going on with Black entertainment that the BEST person they could come up with for The Entertainer of the Year award is Ciara. I mean, I can understand Usher. Sort of. Barring, the fact that he’s a little full of himself (ok, a lot) he’s still a pretty entertaining person. I could sit down and watch Usher, and be entertained. The man can sing, he can dance and admittedly, he looks pretty good with his shirt off. That’s entertainment. But Ciara? What exactly has she done in her 18 month career that prompted the powers that be over at Soul Train to think that she is worthy of an award named after a man who is, arguably, one of the most entertaining and pioneering figures in history? Hmm…. Ciara, eh? Maybe the qualification for the award has been changed from someone who pioneers in the area of entertainment to someone whose studio produced voice and great tracks can get the club CRUNK. Cuz we all know how important it is to get it crunk.

I think its time we boycott… dammit.

I'm not a hater, I'm just sayin...

Friday, February 18, 2005

I'm Just Sayin Though-- Week 1

Yeah, I know its been a minute... a sista's been busy, ok?
So in addition to my sporadic rants on people who make the world a less pleasant place to reside in, I'm making a concerted effort (on the "gentle prodding" of a fellow blogger) to have more regular installments.

So I have decided to have a weekly entitled "I'm Just Sayin Though..." where I will discuss the hand basket we are all in and where its going at such a breakneck speed. This week, in honor of Black History Month we will talk about that giant in the advancement of Black People-- Usher-- and how its time he finally got his due for his contributions (yeah, uh huh... no I haven't been smoking crack, just bear with me. This is good, read on.)

Fresh off his three wins at the Grammy Awards, Usher will be honored again -- this time by his musical peers at the Atlanta Chapter of the Recording Academy. The R&B crooner and civil-rights activist Coretta Scott King will receive the 2005 Heroes Awards at a gala event April 21. Usher and Coretta are being recognized for their contributions to Atlanta's music community.

Ok... I know what you're thinking...

Well now you must understand that Usher has made many many significant contributions to the advancement of Black People such as
1. Perpetuating the stereotype of a happy grinning dancing singing negro
2. Showing people that yes, it is alright to dance on stage in your boxer shorts
3. Telling men, if you have a girl on the side and get her pregnant, but BEG like a mug, your girlfriend might be dumb enough to forgive your ass.
4. Letting Ludacris and Li’l John think they can make slow jams
5. Showing people that wearing shades at night “cuz my future is so damn bright” is an intelligent and safe activity… not to mention high fashion!

I could go on, but why… just look at this short list and you will see why he matches BEAUTIFULLY with Coretta Scott King for this event….

I’m not a hater… I’m just sayin…