Often Imitated Never Duplicated

August 25 marked the 7 year anniversary of Aaliyah Dana Haughton's untimely death. The Brooklyn born singer/dancer/actress will be remembered for her quick rise to fame in the mid 90s. To date Aaliyah has sold around 32 million albums worldwide as well as charted six hit singles. (see chart below)(of course I'll cross reference this with my Billboard Chart book tomorrow when I get to work) It's sad, I've looked at Aaliyah's bio on various websites and noticed how short it is in comparison to other artists. It only makes me wonder what we could have expected from the graceful songbird. In real Michaelangelo/Picasso fashion she was nominated/won most of her awards & accolades after her traggic death. Below are just a few.

American Music Awards
1999, Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist ; Nominated
2002, Favorite Female R&B Artist; Winner
2002, Favorite R&B/Soul Album: Aaliyah; Winner
2003, Favorite Female R&B Artist; Winner
MOBO Awards
2002, Best Video: "More Than a Woman"; Winner
2002, Best Dance Video: "More Than a Woman"; Winner
2002, Best International Act; Winner
Image Awards
2002, Outstanding Female Artist; Winner
2003, Best female video: "Miss You"; Winner
World Music Awards
1997, World's Best Selling Female R&B Artist; Winner
1998, World's Best Selling R&B Artist; Winner
1998, World's Best Selling Single: Are You that Somebody; Nominated
1998, Entertainer Of The Year; Winner
2000, World's Best Selling R&B Artist; Nominated
2000, Female Entertainer Of The Year; Winner
2002 World's Best Selling Female R&B Artist; Nominated
2002 World's Best Selling Female Pop Artist; Nominated

But life must go on... Since her passing we've had a bunch of poorly put together imitations. I believe when Aaliyah passed she took with her the sincerity, depth, and originality the R&B sector once offered its fans. There was something about this young lady that screamed trendsetter. I remember me and my old college roomie used to watch the Aaliyah I Care 4 You DVD every Friday morning. (we should have been at our 8:40 but ahh oh well it was Friday) Thats the type of impact she had on our generation. We have to ask ourselves, will the pop icons we idolize have a lasting impression? If not, why are they our idols? Rest in Peace Aaliyah (melodies of an angel)

Sidebar-Every time I hear I Miss You I revert back into a budding, coming-of-age 17 year old college freshman living in Franklin House. Ah the memories (nothing significant it just sucks that I'm getting old) Take a trip with me down memory lane. (See music player below)


One of my favorite Aaliyah videos, More Than A Woman. (Uggh I can't believe I used to try dancing along with her while watching the DVD) I think I may have burned a hole along this track in the I Care 4 You DVD. Whatever I'm still cool :o)



**I have to apologize for the extremely late Aaliyah posting. In the world of blogging one day is a eternity :o)

Before I Was Born They Was Talking ’Bout The Game

Name: Jayceon Terrell Taylor
Birthplace: Compton, California
Birth date: November 29, 1979
Occupation: "Change of Heart" contestant-turned gangster-turned rapper

I started this post a while ago but thought today would be the appropriate day to actually publish. This is more or less an opinion piece (of course with supporting data) on The Game's career. (I'll include a album review a little later!) For a relative new comer with only 4 years (give or take) in The Game (no pun intended) he's released a number of singles that have been chart topping, trend setting, rap reviving, party jumping, gang banging, game day prepping, hits. (need I go on) Sidebar-I just want to take it back to 2004 hit single How We Do . I would have jumped up out of my sleep if someone road down my street blasting this song at 3am. Whether you believe the hardcore gangsta gimmick, this guy sells himself and his music. As we all know the industry has indefinitely changed. We are a generation of temps and by temps I mean temporary fans. (We favor one artist today and have another favorite tomorrow) Therefore I can't blame artists for going along with the gimmick(marketing) that allows them career longevity. I know he was a former Change of Heart contestant. But don't hard core rappers/gang bangers have changes of heart as well? (hehehe) Ok enough of the sarcasm. Below I've listed just a few career accolades

*BET Awards
2005, Best New Artist N
2005, Best Collaboration ("Hate It or Love It") w/ 50 Cent N
*Grammy Awards
2006, Best Rap Song ("Hate It or Love It") with 50 Cent N
2006, BestRapPer.By Duo/Group("Hate It or Love It") w/ 50Cent N
*MTV Video Music Awards
2005, Best Rap Video ("Hate It or Love It") w/ 50 Cent N
*Ozone Awards
2008, Best West Coast Rap Artist W
2007, Best West Coast Rap Album ("Doctor's Advocate")W

N=Nominated
W=Won

I'm sure it helps that I work for NBM, so I know exactly where to look for this information. See list of The Game albums below (note L.A.X. album release date was pushed back to 8.26.08)

Here's a screen shot from Billboard.com of some of The Game's music (Song, Chart, Peak position)
Of course I had to insert my opinion somewhere in this post, so I'll start right here. In the end we need to allow The Game to do his thing. He's definitely one of the best rappers in 2008 (no denying that), and he tells the story of an entire population that otherwise does not have a voice. If anything we should respect rappers for having the courage to speak on behalf of the people, no matter how gruesome or gory the details. I remember hearing my pastor equate rap music and CNN, saying Rap music is the CNN of the hood. It's true. I know this genre catches a lot of flack for the degradation of women, the idolizing of material items, violence, profanity, hatred (in some cases) and the list goes on. But deep down there is a message. And if you're patient and willing to hear our story (which most people aren't accustomed to doing), it's well worth the wait.
I'll leave you with a few lyrics from Game's Pain

Everybody’s first bootleg was Boyz ‘n the Hood
Whoever thought gangsta rap would make noise in the hood
When the cars ride by with the boomin’ system
Two door Mustang and the roof was missing

*** L.A.X in stores now

***New Gym Class Heroes f/ The Dream

Yea Travie and the crew are back!

Kanye West- Good Morning

I love anime (Japanese animation) and especially Murakami! How cute is this bear?

I Don't Understand Why Everyone Hates Ashanti

I had the pleasure of seeing Ashanti in concert today at City Hall Park. Honestly I was pleasantly surprised. (Of course it didn't hurt that the concert was free but she really didn't sound that bad) So that got me to thinking, "Why does everyone hate Ashanti? After all, shes a pretty girl, she can hold a note, and she doesn't dress horribly. But on the other hand, she can't dance too well (her backup dancers annoyed the hell out of me. They were really EXTRA), shes kinda hood, and I think its her mannerisms and frequent annoying sayings like "That was Bananas" that drive people crazy. Well lets address the issues at hand. With the right choreographer and the proper dance routine one breakout video is all it takes. We've never seen Ashanti perform a complicated dance ensemble. (I'm not talking Aaliyah or Janet but a little more than Mariah. Give us a happy medium) To address her hood-isms, well she can't help it. Shes definitely a product of her Glen Cove environment. (Not that I've ever been or know anyone from the area)lol I just take it as her being a NEW YORKER and let's face it New Yorkers are extra. (I've even had to catch myself recently being a little too dramatic)Her mannerisms are just a term of expression. (I talk with my hands even when I'm talking in my sleep. It's just a part of my conversation) After a brief analysis let's wipe her slate and start over. I think the young lady deserves that much, at least! I mean come on you can't deny the success of Foolish. Everyone wanted to know who the hell was Ashanti and what did she have to offer to the industry. No she isn't a reincarnation of Minnie Ripperton or Raberta Flack but she is quite entertaining.
Love Life
I think Shanti and Nelly are my favorite celebrity couple. My boyfriend and I have this weird thing where we compare ourselves to celebrity couples.(It's a way of vicariously living through those who have more money than us :o( Please don't ask me why) We've narrowed it down to Sanya Richards and Aaron Ross, Nelly and Ashanti, and of course Michelle and Barack Obama. I think I'm going to have to go with Nelly and Ashanti (of course for blogging purposes) They both look genuinely interested in each other (No Beyonce & Jay-Z do NOT look interested in each other), their careers are complimentary, together they've gotten through a number of hardships,and they look great together.
Achievements
Here are a few interesting facts about Ms. Ashanti

*She broke records again by having three Top Ten songs Foolish, What's Luv, and Always on Time, with Ja Rule, on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in the same week, being the first female to accomplish this feat and being second only to The Beatles
*Ashanti also wrote and sang background on the song "Ain't It Funny" (Murder Remix) sung by Jennifer Lopez which was also in the top 10 charts at the same time as "Foolish", "Always on Time" (with Ja Rule), and "What's Luv" (with Fat Joe)
*As of 2007, Ashanti had sold more than 6 million albums in the U.S., and nearly 15 million records worldwide
*In 2003, Ashanti partnered LidRock and the San Francisco-based Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF) to raise awareness about the issue of domestic violence during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and to distribute the "Rain On Me" mini-movie using LidRock’s unique platform

So let's get off her back and give her another chance. After all we worship Rihanna and she has NO talent!

Throwback-Ashanti Foolish

Ashanti Good Good

Cassie-Official Girl

Not the biggest Cassie fan, actually not a Cassie fan at all. Hey Weezy's in the video. So why not?

Throwback:Babyface The Ladies Man

For some reason I thought about Babyface out of the clear blue. So that means, tons of video! Here we go...

Babyface f/ Pharrell Williams--There She Goes


Babyface--When Can I See You Again


Click here to find out more on what Babyface has been up to for the past couple of months

Neyo Ms. Independent

I love this song! I walk like a boss, talk like a boss!