Monday, June 30, 2008

Realest Cat In The Game (From Weekly Vibe Newsletter)


With Hip-hop becoming more watered down then a glass of Kool-Aid, many people are skeptical of who will be the savior of this monotonous snap-and lean industry. Who will bring back that eclectic sound in an era where music is mundane, and as bland as Steve Carrell’s sex life? If your mind is considering Plies as a feasible choice, then please flip to the next page. Now if your mind is lingering along the lines of Tyga, then we’re on the same page.
An avid listener of hip-hop would probably perceive the 18 year old rapper as simply an exuberant pretty boy whose name maybe got confused with Simba from the Lion King. At first glance many may appear bemused by his vivacity, and overlook his cadence in the booth because instead of getting his drink and his two step, he rather get a tattoo.
After his impressive debut on the star-studded remix for Fall Boy’s hit Arms Race, Tyga’s stock began rising. His stock increased enough to catch the attention of rap’s biggest commodity: Weezy F Baby. Later on, Tyga would ink a deal with Wayne’s label Young Money, and produce the fixating track “Coconut Juice”. Coconut Juice takes a different approach rather than your typical club track. Rather than advocate gun toting or being an advertiser for Jacob the Jeweler, Tyga advises people how to be the life of the party by simply “putting the lime in the coconut”. With a poignant song like Coconut Juice thumping in the clubs, it’s a guarantee Tyga will have people skipping Alcohol Anonymous meetings in hopes of quenching their thirst for this elixir.
Of course what would hip hop be without haters? While people may disapprove his single, and his potential, the young feline smiles and proves to be photogenic on his song “photo”, as he wrecks the track completely. With the game being attacked by Hurricane Chris, and witnessing Katrina-like symptoms, it’s safe to say Tyga could help bring life back to this colorful world we once called hip-hop.



Monday, June 23, 2008

"Blood In A Sand" (From Weekly Vibe Newsletter)



“I’m all about a dollar, what the f*** is 50 cent?”

Its funny how things just come back to bite people in the ass. Whoever thought Jay’s one-liner at Summer Jam regarding 50 would be the catalyst in propelling Mr. Curtis “Interscope” Jackson’s reign as the H.N.I.C. of the industry. From his classic 19 track opus which entailed 50 displaying his bravado, and street savvy, G-unit’s general brings his pretentious I don’t give a F*** demeanor to your nearest video game console.



After receiving lukewarm reviews for his 2005 release Bulletproof, 50 returns with a fully loaded clip. In Bulletproof, the lackluster graphics and insipid game play forced buyers to simply let the game gather dust. After critics began spewing their dislike for Bulletproof, 50’s new release Blood on the Sand has revamped the game play. Rather than 50 simply gunning down his adversaries with callous disregard, the creators have decided to make the story line a tad more intricate. Several missions will have 50 partake in numerous gun wars ranging from drive-bys to helicopter shootouts. The game will also feature 50’s goons a la Tony Yayo, Lloyd Banks, and Dj Whoo Kid as his secondary options. So for Blood on the Sand players, they will now enjoy the opportunity of having a 2-player experience.

Outside of the actual game play, 50 satisfies the fiends lyrically. Blood on the Sand will feature exclusive material from 50 cent, and his fellow members of G-Unit. As Bulletproof also catered to the G-Unit fans, the creators have said Blood on the Sand will feature more tracks which solely be found in the game, and not anywhere else.

Blood on the Sand proves to be an ode to 50’s life. Guns, and Teflons intertwined with thugged out lyrics brings out the thoroughness associated with Curtis Jackson

The Cleveland Show(From Weekly Vibe Newsletter)


The Cleveland Show

In the past couple of years animated television shows have deliberately pushed the envelope with scintillating remarks, and sordid references which made critics cringe, but audiences rejoice. Shows like Family Guy, The Boondocks, and South Park have joined the upper echelon of animated shows that embodied the raunchiness people have grown to love and enjoy. Of these shows, Family Guy has conquered the eyes of America. From throwing staggering low blows to celebrities, to its candid responses towards controversial issues, the creators of Family Guy has decided to create a new show on Fox called The Cleveland Show.

The Cleveland Show features Cleveland Brown; a character from Family Guy, as the focal point of the show. Cleveland Brown finally has the opportunity to step outside of his niche as the token black guy from Family Guy, and step into the lead role of this new show.

In the new show, Cleveland encounters a former crush he had in high school. The man, who was once a symbol for hope in black men after having a steady marriage with his wife Loretta, had faced reality. Cleveland was slapped with a dose of reality as his wife Loretta was found cheating on him with the horn dog Quagmire; a character from Family Guy.

Like a typical black man, Cleveland would try to earn his players card back by testing the waters with different females. Unfortunately in a pool with a quarry of females, Cleveland shows his ineptness for capitalizing on the opposite sex. Still, what’s a reality show without some luck?

Cleveland’s former crush Donna, from back in the day, is also dealing with some turmoil from her marriage. Donna finds herself living the stereotypical life of a black female; her husband leaves her for another woman, while she’s left to take care of her daughter. With Donna struggling on her lonesome, she decides to link up with her admirer Cleveland, and establish a family with him.

The Cleveland Show has all of the ingredients to top family guy, as Executive Producer Seth Macfarlane is running the show. Macfarlane’s decision to add some romance into the already comedy driven show is sure to draw some attention. With a black man pouring all of his emotions out like a Dr. Phil Special, The Cleveland Show should be one to keep your eyes glued to. The Cleveland Show will be out this summer on Fox.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

In & Out Of Love

The love never left...perhaps it escaped death...perhaps the love which i thought vanished has reemerged...you see...i was programmed to have erased all of my love and instill animosity towards the one i was once enamored by...but i learned...her smile, her heart, is still engrossed in my mind...she exuded the things i never found interesting...but because of her, she made life interesting...small conversations went from simple to enticing...her kindness was evident...she was an angel who was heaven sent...but an angel whose credibility i questioned...i thought, maybe her wings or halo appeared far fetched...maybe referring her to an angel appeared to be a stretch...but i would've never guessed...she would have been the one to help mold my confidence...she was beyond kind...her altruistic persona illuminated my day when clouds of anger stormed inside of me...when condescending thoughts echoed through my mind...i remembered to review the blueprint you drew in my mind...and repeat to myself...love will get you by...so now, as i hope to rectify the love which once stemmed from my curiosity...i ask you this...are you willing to take another dive...because without my lifeguard, I'm unsure of how i will survive?...