This page contains 21 entries posted under the "BlogBeat" category.
"I just wish that artists and producers would take it upon themselves to
create the 'New'. Not just different but independent thinking. Taking
chances, going against the grain a little bit. Hey, the label isn't
really gonna push your sh-- that hard anyway right? Why not take some
chances?" [The ARE] 
"Vivrant Thang", one of our Official Bouncers, has penned a thrilling, eye-opening account of her experience at the recent Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings concert here in DC. As a summary, the very "diverse" crowd couldn't handle their liquor and the act herself had to intervene more than once. Thing is, this isn't metal. It's Sharon Jones! 'Bows were thrown and Bonecrusher wasn't even in the house!
"...I don't really think about what everybody else is doing. I just stay on
my path and when I'm inspired I make music. And I've been lucky enough
to have a path that allows me to continuously make music and have it
released. But basically I persevere and I keep it moving and I try to
constantly be inspired." [Clutch]
"The Q-Tip segment illustrated the improvisational styles inherent to both jazz and hip hop. The band would lay down a beat and Q-Tip riffed off of it, making up rhymes on the spot, some better than others, but the fun was in the process. He'd lay out and let various sections of the band or Hargrove himself take a chorus before jumping back in. Since many hip hop artists are used to rapping against pre-recorded music or a simple bass line, to be backed by 19 musicians who can feed off whatever he created seemed enjoyable for both artists and audience." [Bejata]
"Two nights ago, I had a dream in which Erykah Badu sang to me and my ex-boyfriend in a boat, in the middle of the ocean. I woke up feeling happy, not remembering exactly what she sang, but feeling good. I've been working on lucid dreaming for a long time now, and I knew that dream was special--not lucid, but close in that it was euphoric. I remembered every detail (except the melodies & words of those songs--I'm workin on that too) and wrote it all down in my dream journal. It felt like a good sign. I was in for a shock..." [Soul Sychadelicyde]
"I like that my personality and my music is of such potency where you
have to make a decision about it. And you either love it or you hate
it. And I am equally thrilled with either choice. I do like the fact
that the music gets to people's ears and they can hear it and it's
unavoidable." [Clutch]
"Betwixt serpentine metallic-synth strands, a thunderclap drum beat and
creepy wails seemingly echoing from the bowels of Hell, we enter the
thoughts of Aaliyah as her ears are being bombarded with the mouthpiece
from some slick-tongued player. Fully aware that he's already got a
girl at home, Aaliyah lets her mind wander on what homegirl would think
if she knew what her man was doing ("If your girl only knew/ That you
was trying to get with me/ (What would she do?)". While amused by her
imagination's vividness ("She would probably curse you out and unplug
her phone," she smirks), the singer also holds some guilt of her own,
recognizing that her slight interest in dude implicates her as an equal
partner in his betrayal." [90's R&B Junkie]
"Listening to Alicia Keys is a deflating experience for me. She's gorgeous, has a solid voice and is obviously talented-but in listening to her new album, As I Am, I get the experience of listening to the musical equivalent of table scraps-someone who has something real to share, but instead serves up the same vaguely empty platitudes of self-empowerment and love over and over. It's ultimately disappointing, because despite her blandness, I can't help but think there's more there." [A Deeper Shade Of Soul]
"It seems like only yesterday. Looking back on all those blog posts on the death of Gerald Levert, I still can't believe that today marks a full year of his passing. It feels quite surreal that he isn't physically here anymore. Musically, he's all around, but it still shocks me when I hear his voice. I mean, I haven't been able to really listen to any of his music without getting somewhat depressed. Yet, the depression doesn't last for too long." [R&B]
"This brother here could actually SANG...I saw him live and he blew my socks off. Too bad his career went out like the high-top fade he was sporting." [Musings of an Eccentric Diva]
"I wouldn't say that I'm addicted to The Salt-N-Pepa show on VH1, though I do have my DVR set to tape every episode. What's been interesting about VH1 and its reality shows has been the ability to cast artists (music, film, TV) from a time not so long ago, that resonates (and deeply I might add) with the 30 and over set...Anyway, as far as last night's episode of Salt N Pepa, well, I am starting to wonder what Spinderalla's purpose really is. How she compared herself to Jam Master Jay was very off base. How can you compare those two extremely different levels of contribution? Should Spin return for another episode, I guess we'll see how that all plays out." [LDJ]
"A Van Hunt concert is like being at an intimate jam session. You almost
feel like a voyeur while him and the band make love to their
instruments. It feels like a privilige to be a part of the experience,
although it's apparent that he's still very much grateful for our
presence." [Songs In the Key of Life]
"I personally believe that via the internet and relationships
with small companies throughout the world, people from many cultures of
like minds can be connected and form global communities that support
the type of art and culture that we like to see, as well as be exposed
to it in its purest form. Somehow technology has taken us forward and
backwards at the same time to where everything doesn't have to be
commodotized in order to reach the intended audience. It's very hard
work, but as time goes on it gets easier, and I am sure it will be even
more easy for future generations." [Anthony David]
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