Fringe Thursday 5-12-05 Velocity Girl

Last week we saluted Bettie Servert, this week we give props to another band that never quite got the attention they deserved. Washington D.C.'s own.

Velocity Girl


Taken from allmusic.com

Velocity Girl emerged as one of the most successful and acclaimed indie-rock bands of the early 1990s. Their roots lie in the short-lived Gotterdammacrats, which formed in Silver Spring, MD in September 1988 around the nucleus of singer/guitarist Archie Moore, bassist Kelly Riles, guitarist John Barnett and drummer Berny Grindel. Barnett exited following the first performance, and after playing a series of gigs as a three-piece, in the summer of 1989 the group welcomed vocalist Bridget Cross and adopted the name Velocity Girl, borrowing the moniker from an early B-side by the then-obscure British band Primal Scream. As the year drew to a close, the band made its recorded debut with “Clock," a contribution to the compilation What Kind of Heaven Do You Want?, the first release on the fledgling local label Slumberland. Drummer Jim Spellman replaced Grindel in the fall of 1990, and after completing the single “I Don't Care If You Go," Cross left the lineup early the following year; she soon resurfaced in another seminal D.C. indie band, Unrest. Singer Sarah Shannon was tapped as Cross' replacement, and a week after adding second guitarist Brian Nelson—Moore's bandmate in the pioneering Black Tambourine—Velocity Girl entered the studio to record its breakthrough single, 1991's “My Forgotten Favorite." The record was a major college radio favorite, and brought the group to the attention of the Sub Pop label, which released a split single featuring Velocity Girl and fellow D.C.-area band Tsunami in early 1992. Velocity Girl remained with Sub Pop to issue its 1993 full-length debut Copacetic—a much-acclaimed set featuring the singles “Crazy Town" and “Audrey's Eyes," its ingratiating noise-pop approach proved pivotal in expanding Sub Pop's image beyond that of merely a Seattle grunge label, and at the time was the second biggest seller in the company's history, behind only Nirvana's Bleach. The follow-up, ¡Simpatico!, was even more successful, generating the minor hit “Sorry Again." 1996's Gilded Stars and Zealous Hearts was far less fulfilling creatively and commercially, however, and after completing the album Shannon relocated to Seattle. The group's days were clearly numbered, and a U.S. tour culminated in a farewell show at Baltimore's 8x10 Club that September.

I remember being in college.
I remember watching the video for Crazy Town on MTV's 120 minutes.
I remember seeing them live at Tramps in downtown Manhattan on Apr. 20, 1996. I was out of college by then. I saved the ticket stub.

VG was one of those indie bands that never quite took off because they were really not grunge and they really weren't pop. They were decent live but really weren't as flashy as their contemporaries. What I loved about them is they made catchy songs that had cool lyrics and good hooks.

I suggest you pick up a copy of Copacetic and check out track #1 called Pretty Girl.

Hip Hop Wednesday 5-11-05

Here are some random notes.

• The Game has truly changed. Now I'm all for a man evolving and becoming more positive. But changing the tear drop tattoo to a butterfly? Come on Game, I understand you want to be more positive, but gangstas don't tattoo butterflies on their faces.

• Tom Green is planning to put out a rap album. Well before you go WTF? Green before he became a comic was in a group called Organized Rhyme.

• M.O.P. has left Roc-A-Fella records. Now personally I think this is a good move for them. M.O.P. has never been one of those groups that I saw going mainstream. Maybe it's a smart move for them to go back to the underground.
  
  Now our main story:

Vs

Foxy Brown denies it but Miami rapper Jackie O says it happened. First thing I asked myself when I heard about this was: Who the hell is Jackie O?

Apparently Foxy was in Miami and was invited into the studio by Jackie O, words were exchanged and that's when people's stories get shady. Jackie O's people says she knocked out Foxy Brown and Foxy's people are saying it didn't happen. Now I understand that she doesn't want to lose face, but I also see that no one outside of Miami has really heard of this Jackie O chick until now. I think she's just trying to make a name for herself. And at the same time Foxy is trying to promote her new stuff so I'm a little suspicious of this whole thing.

My Crazy Daydream

I must be losing my mind because I just had a crazy ass daydream yesterday.

I dreamed I was...(hold on to your seats) a BLACK LEADER. That's right yours truly Doc Strangejazz a certified BLACK Leader.

That's not all I dreamt. I dreamt that I was holding a press conference and I had on stage with me the following people: Bill Cosby, Michael Eric Dyson, Richard Parsons (CEO of Time Warner), Julian Bond (Executive Chairman NAACP), Louis Farrakhan, Condi Rice, Jay-Z, Sen. Barack Obama, Armstrong Williams, Al Sharpton, and Jesse Jackson and a host of others I will mention through out this post. It was a big freakin stage ok.

I know it's crazy to have all those people up on stage with me at one time but this is my dream so just roll with it.

I took the podium and gave a speech that went something like this:

Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, I come to you a humble man with a mission. My mission today, well our mission today is a hard one. But it is one that I think we can complete in my lifetime. Our mission simply put is to end the bullshit that permeates our culture. Simply put people, the nigga nonsense has got to go. From this point forward all of my compatriots that you see here on this stage will work together with me and many other leaders to end the nigga nonsense. From this point forward all questions about black leadership shall be deferred to me. No more will we have you (the press) deciding who our leaders are for us. You're looking at him people. Simply put I am the only black leader you will need to come to, from this point forward. Now I'll leave the floor open for any questions.

The first question came from a reporter in the front row. Mr. Strangejazz what are you plans for Black America?

First off call me Dr. Strangejazz. We have many plans. We have collectively decided to have a 15 year moratorium on all professional sports and entertainment. We've decided collectively to not sing, dance, or play any sports. That means you won't see any new black artists or athletes coming out for at least 15 years. I wanted to shut it all down but that would cripple the economy so we compromised and settled for the fifteen-year plan. Next question.

What do you plan to do about the incarceration rate of black people?

We are working on this problem on two fronts. Many of you know that recently we lost a great legal mind in one Johnny Cochran. He will be sorely missed. Before his death we were able to get a sample of his DNA and brain matter. From these samples we were able to produce clones of Mr. Cochran. Now of course these clones do not look exactly like him, but trust me they are have his skill. We have thousands of them currently working on appeals for our incarcerated brethren. That’s on one front; we are also working with Sony and Microsoft to provide computers and PS2's for the kids who are in certain target areas. If they are on the PC or the PlayStation they won’t be on the street doing harm to anyone or themselves. Those are just a few of the ways we are handling the problem. Next question.

What do you plan to do about the image of black people?

Glad you asked. As you know this is a huge problem for us. Mr. Parsons, Mr. Cosby and I have worked out a deal in where Viacom will be selling us back BET. We’ve also acquired UPN. Once these deals are final, effective immediately the programming will be radically revamped. We plan to do it right this time around people. In addition to that we are instructing all black people not to audition for any reality television shows that includes talk shows such as the Rikki Lake show, Jerry Springer and Montel Williams. We also would like to inform you that we will only have four comics working on a mainstream basis. Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Eddie Griffin and Paul Mooney. Of course other comics will be allowed to work in clubs and do standup but we’ve come to an agreement that only four comics will be allowed to shuck and jive and make you white folks laugh. Next question.

Dr. Strangejazz do plan on running for president?

No. My job is here with my people. There’s a lot of work to be done. One thing we are currently working on that’s close to my heart is getting black women to wear their hair naturally. It’s gotta be nappy if we are going to be happy. And while we're on the subject of hair. No more jerri curls. Anyone caught with a jerri curl will be shot on site. Right here in my hand is a piece of legislation that was just signed into law that allows any police officer to shoot anyone wearing a jerri curl. Not kill just shoot. They should get the message after that. Last question please we've got a meeting to go to at Cosby's house.

Dr. Strangejazz what does the black church think of what you're doing?

Well as you know the black church the cornerstone of leadership for our people. That’s going to radically change now that I’m in charge. Churches will now be required to teach our people about money, how it works, how to invest and make a profit. Of course a few churches have similar programs like this but we plan to increase that number drastically over the next few years. We are going to empower the people with knowledge of how money works. Ok folks we gotta get out of here so thank you and take care.

Fringe Thursday 5-05-05

This post is dedicated to a band that never really got the mainstream attention they deserved.


Bettie Serveert

Taken from Allmusic.com:

Bettie Serveert were formed in Amsterdam and existed briefly in 1986 when De Artsen members Peter Visser (guitar) and Herman Bunskoeke (bass) quit their band to join up with Canadian-born vocalist Carol van Dijk, whose family moved to the Netherlands when she was a child. However, with the release of their debut album, Conny Waves With a Shell, De Artsen gained a wider audience around Holland, and with plentiful demand for their live act, Visser and Bunskoeke rejoined; meanwhile, van Dijk was hired as De Artsen's new sound engineer. When De Artsen broke up again in 1990, Bettie Serveert reconvened with new drummer Berend Dubbe, a childhood friend of van Dijk's and a roadie for De Artsen. Dubbe suggested the band's name, after an instruction manual by Dutch tennis star Bettie Stoeve.

Bettie Serveert recorded a seven-song demo in early 1992 that found its way to the American indie Matador, thanks to a friend of the band who worked in a specialty record shop. Matador signed them immediately and released their debut album, Palomine, later that year. Palomine received enthusiastic reviews, and the singles "Tom Boy" and "Kid's Allright" landed substantial airplay on college radio, making Bettie Serveert extremely popular on the campus circuit. They launched an extensive supporting tour of America, and became genuine stars in their home country; they also helped establish Matador as America's emerging indie label of choice, along with seminal artists like Pavement and Liz Phair.

In the wake of Palomine, Bettie Serveert spent around three years on the road, playing with artists like Belly, Dinosaur Jr., Superchunk, Buffalo Tom. When it finally came time to record the follow-up to Palomine, the band was still scrambling to craft more material; although Lamprey was generally well-reviewed upon its release in 1995 and sold decently among the group's college fan base, it proved a more erratic collection than its predecessor.

Hip Hop Wednesday 5-04-05

Just some minor notes.

May 15- 22 is Hip Hop Appreciation week. Please feel free to click on the link. Would you believe they have more events planned in Portland Oregon than they do in New York? Something is off there.

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was number one at the box office this past weekend. Who knew Mos Def would beat out Icecube when it came to the movies.

The Game just landed EA Sports Madden 06 title track. Ironic that he was shot in 2001 while playing Madden on PS2.

Hating on the List

People Magazine has released it's 2005's 50 Most Beautiful People list. So here's my take on the list so far. Click on the links and judge for yourself.

Jessica Alba - I'm amazed that no one has found out that she's mixed. Her father is Mexican and Indian.
Jennifer Aniston - Maybe 5 years ago (when the b*tch had a show) but she hasn't been the same since Brad left.
Drew Barrymore - No. Are you freaking kidding me? You could go to almost any bar in NYC on the upper east side and you'll see chicks ten times better. WTF?
Mischa Barton, The OC - She's got a great face but she's just too damn skinny. Why won't this b*tch eat?
David Beckham, International soccer star - Yeah it's pretty obvious on this one. The f*cker can sure kick a ball.
Halle Berry - Yeah she's hot as hell but I still wouldn't drive with her. Something about her just ain't right.
Orlando Bloom - Bulk up kid. And keep the goatee. For his sake I hope he never has to go to prison. He's just too pretty.
Penelope Cruz - I don't get it she looks like a moth. Is it me?
Patrick Dempsey, Grey's Anatomy - I loved him in Can't Buy Me Love. He's aged well. I always thought of him as the poor man's John Cusack.
Johnny Depp - No denying this one. I like him cause he makes himself ugly on purpose to be taken seriously as an actor and what happens..He gets put on lists like this. He can't avoid his looks.
Hilary Duff - Enjoy it now, cause you will not age well kiddo.
Sara Evans, Country singer - Average at best. She doesn't deserve to be on this list.
Colin Farrell - I like his dirty look. Check for him in 20 years. Brando anyone?
Jamie Foxx - The new Denzel? Ya done come up son.
Tim Green, former NFL star and best-selling author - He looks like Matt Damon. Is it me?
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: SVU - Yes. Her beauty is arresting. Oh come on it was so there.
Tyler Hilton, One Tree Hill - Great another dim looking guy. That's all we need. Keanu anyone?
Josh Holloway, Lost - He sure knows how to play a redneck. I guess he got the trailer park vote.
Scarlett Johansson - The lips are just spectaular and the voice is so raspy. I wonder if she has small hands. Nothing like a chick with a raspy voice and small hands.
Angelina Jolie - I wonder where she stole them lips from? Maybe that's why she's always traveling to Africa doing charity type stuff. She feels guilty for stealing the lips.
Juanes, Colombian musician - He looks like Antonio Bandaras.
Alicia Keys - She belongs on this list. No hate on this end. Just stop wearing that hat gurl.
Heidi Klum - Typical. Nothing special here ok maybe the boobs but it ends there. Another skinny white chick BIG DEAL.
Jude Law - Too charming for his own good. His head is a tad bit too big don't ya think?
Lindsay Lohan - Is she still jailbait? No denying this one. She's hot. Too bad about her messed up family.
Eva Longoria - She needs to be a Bond girl. Very hot.
Jennifer Lopez - yes. And that goes double for her ass.
Ann-Margret - Maybe 40 years ago but not today.
Matthew McConaughey - He drinks like a fish and he bangs latin chicks what's not to love.
Eva Mendes, Hitch - I hear she's hotter in real life. She needs to do something with that hair though.
Jesse Metcalfe, Desperate Housewives - Well I guess he's better than Ricky Martin.
Sienna Miller, Alfie - Riding the coat tails of Jude Law.
Catalina Sandino Moreno, Maria Full of Grace - She has a genuine look about her.
Sandra Oh, Sideways, Grey's Anatomy - Heard she just got divorced. I just saw her do a love scene with a black man last week so her stock went up with me.
Sophie Okonedo, Hotel Rwanda - Flawless. Nice to see a fresh face on these things.
Clive Owen, Sin City, Closer - The return of the rugged man. He's got to be the next James Bond.
Tyler Perry, Diary of a Mad Black Woman author - Two letters DL! Dat's right I said it.
Brad Pitt - Of course. Over 40 and still going strong. George Clooney must be giving him tips.
Julia Roberts - WHY! Couldn't they dig up Trigger? Here's a little joke: Julia Roberts walks into a bar and the bartender asks her why the long face. GET IT!
Seal - Riding coat tails of a skinny white chick. I ain't mad at ya scarface. This is proof that if you can sing well you can get model type chicks to fall for ya no matter what.
Maria Sharapova, Russian tennis player - Serena she ain't.
Jessica Simpson - She's too damn cute. It's almost unnatural. She's got to be from another planet.
Elizabeth Smart, Utah teen - Brave maybe. But beautiful? Come on. Why cause she got kidnapped 8 miles away from her home? Walk home bitch! Damn they left the house a couple of times.
Martha Stewart - There's just something so bad about her. You just know she's a closet freak. She's all Home and Garden on the outside but deep down on the inside behind closed doors she's all Leather and Lace. Oh I feel so dirty talking about her.
Hilary Swank actress - WHY ? Seriously why? Must be the butch action she's got going on.
Usher singer/actor- Eh? Really did I miss something?
Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat basketball player - Jordan he ain't
Oprah Winfrey - You just know she bought her way on to the list.
Kate Winslet - EH?? Come one are you people serious? Hideous Kinky? WTF?
Ziyi Zhang, House of Flying Daggers - I would learn Chinese if I knew there was a chance I could meet her.

It's nice to know they added more black people this year. But it's a shame the list didn't go further and add more Asians. Check out last year's list here.

Hip Hop Wednesday 4-27-05: THE RETURN

First some minor notes:

• In addition to the new Outkast movie and staring in Be Cool, "Andre 3000” Benjamin has been tapped to star in and produce a new untitled musical. The musical will concern a man with "magical" powers. Great that's all we need another Magical Negro.
• Don't be fooled by the bootlegs of Common's new album. According to Common "They ain't got all the songs yet."

And now our main story.

I hope the movie isn't half as bad as the soundtrack. I recently got to a chance to listen to samples from this album so let's run down the track list:

Get XXX’d by J-Kwon featuring Petey Pablo & Ebony Eyez - I'm just not feeling this one.

Anybody Seen The PoPo’s?! by Ice Cube - I guess it was in his contract that he had to contribute to the soundtrack.

Fight The Power by KoRn featuring Xzibit - This probably was a good idea but the execution is just garbage.

Messiah by Dead Celebrity Status - They sound like early Cypress Hill. Check out their site here.

Oh No by Big Boi featuring Killer Mike & Bubba Sparxxx - Weak production can bring a record down no matter who is spitting on the track.

The Payback by P.O.D. - Not a bad track, but I expect better from them.

Dirty Little Thing by Velvet Revolver - I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for STP and GnR so I'll give this track a pass.

Wyle Out by Bone Crusher - Throw ya bows y'all Bone Crusher repeats himself into oblivion with this one.

Here We Go by Dirtbag - This track is produced by Timbaland. And that's probably the only good thing cause I wasn't really listening to the words.

Dis Dat Block by YoungBloodZ - I'm sure this song will uplift the black community. SIKE!

Lookin’ For U by Chingy featuring G.I.B. - Just press skip.

The March by Hush - Hush is a MC from Detroit, but don't think he's another Eminem he sounds more like Icecube before he went Hollywood. This track is one of the few bright spots on this album. Check out his site here.

MKLVFKWR by Moby & Public Enemy - The colaboration looks good on paper but it really misses the mark on this one.

Just Like Wylin’ by Bone Crusher & Three Days Grace - This is probably the most radio friendly song on the album. I'm sure this song is in steady rotation on your local KRock station.

Did It Again by Labba - This cat sounds like a southern version of Shyne without the depth.

The Good Song by Tonéx - This song sounds like Prince post Purple Rain. Gospel and funk can sound good together but this ain't that song.

The movie comes out this Friday April 29, 2005.

Interview with the Last Comic Standing

Before I left for Morocco, I got a chance to meet with the Alonzo Bodden. For those of you who don't know Alonzo was the winner of the Last Comic Standing TV show. Standing at six feet Mr. Bodden is very physically intimidating, but at the same time he was very nice once you get approach him.

How many years have you been doing Stand-up?
12 YEARS AS OF JANUARY.

How did you find out that Last Comic Standing got cancelled?
We taped the last show on Tuesday and they called Wednesday morning. It was funny because there was threat of cancellation after the 3rd or 4th week. No one expected them to just cancel he last episode.

Do you have a development deal with NBC in the works and if so what's it about?
NBC has a holding deal on me until august. Basically I can't do any other shows without their permission until then and they could use me for a pilot but they haven't yet guess I'm not the Law and Order type.

Who are your influences?
BILL COSBY, GEORGE CARLIN, ROBIN HARRIS, GEORGE WALLACE, STEVEN WRIGHT, CHRIS ROCK, DAVE CHAPELLE.

What is the question that most interviewers ask you that gets on your nerves?
Would you do my blog, no seriously it would probably be the questions abut why NBC pulled the show, since I don't really know. I don't even know who's decision it was, they don't explain anything to us. They're just unnamed network suits.

If you get a chance to ever see him perform please make sure you do.

Thoughts on Morocco: The Wrap-Up

The next day (Monday) we shopped for carpets. Actually the correct term is Kilim.

Kilim rugs is a tapestry rug woven from fairly harsh, thick wool. Most kilims are reversible, but rarer Kilims have loose ends on the back. Kilim rugs are made by nomadic peoples in Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Russia, China, Pakistan, India and Morocco.

All of the Kilims that we bought were made by Berber women. The Berber is a ethnic group that still lives up in the mountains of Morocco (Yes, Morocco has mountains).

Professor Angry and I woke up early that day. She gathered all her information and research, placed it in her bright orange bag that would eventually become too heavy as the day drew on.

Omar walks us down a alley in the medina to the carpet store. And once we walk in we see. Carpets.


and more carpets.


I don't get impressed easy but DAMN this place was incredible. They were very happy to see us in a genuine kind of way. We sat down and the salesman called over his assistants to give us a demonstration. The assistants literally roll out the carpet in front of you with an elaborate flourish. Then the salesman talked to us about where the carpets come from and the different styles. Now keep in mind that Professor Angry spent 7 months prior to this trip doing all kinds of research on Kilims. So she knew exactly what she wanted. She laid out all her research from the internet and called the salesman over to give him an example of what she was looking for. It took about 3 hours for us to choose from there selection. We walked away with an undisclosed number of Kilim for a decent price. Omar and I were very instrumental in the negotiation of the final price. After all that we went back to the hotel and rested.

Tuesday was Professor Angry's birthday so Omar decided to take us to a Fantasia at a place called Chez Ali, a fantasia is a tightly choreographed spectacle complete with charging horses and plenty of trick riding and action. The ornate costumes of the participants will remind you of "1,001 Arabian Nights. Going to a fantasia showed me how people in Morocco really know how to pimp their culture. The food at Chez Ali was amazing for a place that looked like a tourist trap. Earlier that day I had the pleasure of meeting one John Weiss a photographer is now a professor of photography at the University of Delaware. Back in the 80's Mr. Weiss released a book called The Face of Baseball.

Wednesday morning we went to a Berber village in the mountains. We had McDonald's for breakfast and I crashed once we got back, I swear the McDonald's overseas is more potent than the McDonald's here in America. After my nap, I spent most of the afternoon chilling by the pool and checking email. Wednesday would be our last day with Omar but at least we would have Abdul as a substitute.

Thursday Abdul drove us to Essouria. The drive was about 2 and half hours. But it was worth it. I listened to my iPod for most of the ride and just sat back and checked out the view. The drive to Essouria was probably one of the best things that I got to experience on this trip. While we were there we ran into Arthur a nice gentleman we met on the way in. He's what I like to call a MAD COOL BROTHA. Arthur is the type of person you can talk to, and feel at the end of the conversation that you've learned something. He was staying at this PHAT riad near the beach and man did he have a view. We also had the pleasure of meeting a nice Jewish man named Joseph who had happened to live in Forest Hills, Queens for a number of years. This was cool for me cause me cause I went to HS in Forest Hills. We chatted in Hebrew for a while and talked about how NYC has changed since 9/11. We ended up buying a painting and some jewelry. If any of you people reading this ever go to Essouria. Do no leave there without trying the fish.

Friday we ended up chilling for most of the day. We went to a nice garden in the day and at night we hooked up with Arthur and drank wine til about 12AM in a riad. While we were there we ran into a Eurotrash table of people that were interested in finding out where we were from, I personally had enough of people asking me if I was an NBA player or the bodyguard of the famous singer (Prof. Angry) I was with.. We blew them off and headed back to the hotel to get a good night's sleep.

Saturday we woke up at 4AM to catch our flight out of Marrakech to Casablanca. The flight home was long and not easy. First off we were at Casablanca for 3 hours with nothing to do. While on the plane I got 2 fevers and was in the middle seat. Let me tell ya something folks being 6'3 and in the middle seat between a woman that is 6'1 and a another gentleman who is 6'2 isn't fun.

So this wraps up my trip to Morocco. All of this was made possible by Professor Angry. Thanks sweetie. I might not be smiling in all the pictures we took but don't think that I didn't have a great time.

Minor notes

I'll be wrapping my my tale of Morocco later on today. In the meantime check out my review of State Property 2 on We the Voices.com.

Also check out my piece on the Magical Negro in film.

Thoughts on Morocco: Part Three

First off I want to apologize, got my timeline messed up. A special thank you to Professor Angry for correcting my mistake. We went shopping for rugs on Monday so that story will be in Part Four not in Part Three. And now part three of my thoughts on Morocco.

So Sunday we woke up pretty early to get breakfast which for me consisted of a hard boiled egg and two croissants, orange juice and a cup of coffee, (this was to be my breakfast for the next 6 days). Omar was on time.

Omar being the gentleman that he is gets us into a cab and it's off to the medina. First we did some site seeing at a sultan's palace. Which was packed with tourists from all over. I don't remember the sultan's name but from what I gather he had a lot of wives and slaves buried in his garden. From there we went to another palace that was just beautiful. I got some great shots of the interior. I can't do that place justice with my words so I won't try. After we took in some of the historical sites we were off to the medina.

The medina is one big market place in where you can see live snake charmers, acrobats and monkeys. The place is WILD and freaking hot (but it's a dry heat). Omar takes us into the serpentine alleys, on our way to the carpet store we are approached by beggars and merchants selling their wears. Omar acts as buffer between us and the beggars so we don't get our pockets picked.

While walking through the durbs we managed to stop in a nice antique store. There was so much jewelry Professor Angry couldn't stand it. Hell I even was blown away by some of the pieces in that store. Professor Angry took great pleasure in trying on some nice necklaces and I was on a quest for a nice lion ring and some jewelry for my mom. After trying on about six different necklaces Professor Angry asked me to call on Omar to negotiate the price. In Morocco if you buy something the merchant will always give you what he calls a "good price" but that doesn't mean you have to accept it. Rule one of shopping in Morocco: Every thing can be negotiated in the medina. So Omar and the merchant go back and forth and finally come to a price both can agree on, Omar shows then shows the piece of paper with the price on it to Professor Angry, it's too rich for her blood so we move on. We move on down antique alley to another store that is more elaborate than the one we just left. The place looked like a museum. The manager knows Omar so it's cool to look around, I notice how he has a wall of fame that includes people like: Michael Keaton, David Bowie, Bill Clinton, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton. I'll admit it I was impressed.

After moving on from that store we walk down further. To our left we see a nice candle holder shop. The inside of the shop looked like something right out of New York's Greenwich Village (funny how familiar surroundings can make you feel comfortable huh?). Very nice stuff all around and all the art work was done by the guy and his partner running the place, I know this to be true because I actually saw him doing work while I was there. He had some interesting stuff. Professor Angry was also very impressed with his wears. At one point I decide I'm going to buy something. Fellow blogger NominalMe asked me to get him something so I figured now was as good a time as any to get him his gift being that he was one of the few people that wanted something from Morocco. We sit down and we look over the candle holders the nice young guy makes us some tea and gives us some bottled water (in most stores they will serve their customers Moroccan tea). So we chill out and hang for a few.

Professor Angry is just chatting up a storm about the many different lamps he has for sale and begins to start wondering if she can purchase a lizard lamp that is on the wall behind me. Thank goodness she didn't end up buying that thing because there was no way were going to be able to bring that on the plane with us. While Prof. Angry is chatting I start to look around and I notice a blank octagon looking candle holder. It's simple and very sturdy and it is a blank. I decide that in addition to the two candle holders I'm going to buy this octagon looking one and have the artist put some designs on it, of course Professor Angry sees what I'm doing and decides she's going to bite my style and asks if the artist can do one for her. So once again we have Omar negotiate the price and we make arrangements to come back and get the finished product by Wednesday. And so we moved on further down and got lunch. The place Omar took us to was a very basic looking Moroccan dinner. But don't be fooled by appearances just cause the place looked basic doesn't mean the food was. The food was GREAT. During our meal we bonded with Omar as he asked us about Harlem, and race in America. He found it to be very unfair in the way black people are portrayed in the media. We agreed that is was very unfair and explained to him that black people have limited control in how they are perceived in the media. Omar told us about how he went to NY and people warned him about Harlem but when he finally went up there he didn't see much to worry about. Funny how people lie huh?

After our meal we went back to the hotel for a nap. That night we went out to another nice restaurant and ate a wonderful meal. We got to bed pretty early for tomorrow we shop for Kilim (rugs).

Thoughts on Morocco: Part Two

After checking into the riad we realized that we didn't want to stay there, but how were we going to break it to them and how much would we pay? And to top it off we had a guide coming to see us in a matter of hours.

Little did we know that he would be the best thing to happen to us on this trip.

We expected a young guy who was slick and swarthy looking. What we got was a peaceful kind older gentleman named Omar.


Omar has over 30 years experience being a guide. He speaks five different languages and he knows almost everyone in Marrakech.

The culture shock of where our riad located really shook us up a bit, but when Omar arrived we some how knew things were going to turn out fine. The first thing he did after helping us negotiate our way out of the riad we were staying in was take us out for tea. During tea he gave us some historic background of the city. It was really nice how he did this without sounding too preachy.

After tea we went into the new city and settled into our new hotel. Our new hotel was located in the modern part of town aptly called "the New City". The Hotel Diwane had internet access (in the lobby), AC and TV in the room. Also they had a pool and a lovely restaurant. We got settled in and went out to dinner at a nice place up the street. The food was lovely and we managed to run into a nice American couple. This was a nice first night. Tomorrow we would shop for carpets. That's easy right? Think again.

To be continued.

Thoughts on Morocco: Part One

First off, it feels great to be back in America. We really do have it good over here and sometimes I tend to take that for granted in my rantings, but when you travel and see how other people live you realize how good we really have it in spite of all the things our collective gov't has to do to maintain the status quo it's worth it.

My companion Professor Angry and myself set out of JFK on Friday 4-1-05. Being that there aren't any direct flights to our destination (Marrakech) we had to transfer at Casablanca. While we were in the unorganized line at Casa I noticed that there were a lot of black Africans going to Europe. It was like 125th Street up in there. Professor Angry was not pleased at all, so she decided to cut the line; successfully she was able to obtain our broading passes. Later on we find out that we could have avoided this by having our boarding passes printed at JFK.


Arrive at Marrakech around 9AM. Getting a cab (a Mercedes no less) was very easy. We make small talk with our driver who's English isn't half bad. Months earlier we reserved a room in a riad. For those of you who don't know what a riad is; it is a home that has a garden, but the gardens in most riads are organized around one central courtyard. Now that's the definition I found in a tour book. What they don't tell you is that most of these riads are in the medina which is made of a maze of alleys called durbs.




Getting to the riad was an adventure. We pull up on the side of the street and get out and our driver walks us down this tight serpentine alley. On our way there we were almost hit by several mopeds (EVERYONE IN MOROCCO HAS ONE) and had to squeeze by several European golfers. Finally I see a small sign under a blue door that says Hotel Sharharazad. Finally we're here we knock on the door and there's a nice young lady there at the desk who checks us in. The inside of this riad looks fairly decent and exotic but it's nothing like the internet. So now we meet a nice young man who takes us to our room in where we had to go out the front door of the hotel and then go next door and up some steps to our room. The room is bare bones at best. Very small, no dressers and a very nice bathroom. The only thing I had a problem with is there was no TV, and the lock on the front door was crap. Welcome to Morocco b*tch, we're going to need a guide or something.

To be continued.

Fringe Thursday: Will Clive Owen Be The Next James Bond?

[With Dr. Strangejazz in Morocco (having limited Internet access) and C.F. Kane in an undisclosed location, Nominal Me will guest post today).


Will Clive Owen become the new James Bond?

The competition for the next James Bond has been stiff since Irish actor Pirece Bronson retired his Walter PPK. There have been many rumors surrounding the next actor. Here's a short list of contenders, Jude Law, Hugh Jackman, Orlando Bloom and my personal favorite Clive Owen.

Truth be told, I have not seen, nor have I cared about, James Bond since the end of the Cold War. The character of Bond has always seemed out of place in the new modern world.

In the 70s and 80s our "good guys" were pretty cut and dry. It was good versus evil, white hat versus black, the West against the Soviets. It was a two dimensional world.

But not so today. Our lives seem more complicated, and thus we ask our characters to have some depth, and perhaps regret, about what they are doing.

This is why the choice of Owen would be so intriguing. He seems somewhat of an anti-hero at times, almost a brooding thoughtful figure. He certainly has charisma, and I can see him pulling of the "shaken, not stirred" line, but more importantly I believe he is the type of guy that can take an anachronistic figure and make him relevant to today's modern world.

Perhaps he is the James Bond of the 21sr Century?

We shall see.

Thoughts on Morocco : Preview

This is Doc Strangejazz coming at ya live from the Roc (Marrakesh , Morocco to be exact). I've managed to get so free time today so I'm able to post a little preview of my trip to Morocco.

It's really hot here. So far I've been asked if I was a NBA player about 4 times and my lady friend has been asked if she's an actress or a jazz singer 8 times. Use of the internet at the hotel is cheap so I'm able to go online and check email.

It really helps a lot if you know French here being that this country was a former French colony. The city of Marrakesh is broken up into two cities. The Medina and the New City. The Medina is more traditional and the New City is more modern.

I will write more when I come back to the states but for now I will leave you with a few of my first impressions:

-Riad's aren't for everybody.
-Snake charmers are for real.
-Don't knock their hustle. Everybody has a hustle here.
-You got to know how to bargin. The final price is not always final.
-You need a guide if you don't know French. Omar is his name and he knows the city inside and out.
-The food here is beautiful. Please try the lamb. You won't regret it.
-Hip-hop is a live and well here.

That's all for now but please stay tuned for Nominal Me and his Fringe Thursday post.

Off to Morocco

For the next ten days I will be in Morocco.

When I get back there will be stories and observations about my trip. Why Morocco you ask? Well folks let's just say that a woman is involved in this decision. A very special woman.

Take care all and please stay tuned because I have Nominal Me filling in for me.

Farewell Mr. Cochran

My best memory of Johnny Cochran will always be the OJ trial. Like many African-Americans I was glued to the TV set to see if OJ would go to jail. I was stunned by Johnny Cochran's arrogance, and charisma. I can remember actually being proud at one point. I know what my white readers are saying, "How can you be proud of a man who got a murderer off?" My answer is simple. I just was. Before the OJ trial Johnny Cochran had a host of celebrities as clients: Michael Jackson and Snoop Dogg to name a few.

What people don't know is that he also was counsel for, Reginald Denny, the white truck driver, that was beaten in 1992 in the LA riots.

Cochran also represented Abner Louima, who was sexually assaulted by New York City police. Two officers were found guilty of the assault and four others were convicted of lying to authorities about the incident. Louima won $8.75 million in a civil suit.

A lot gets lost in the shuffle when a celebrity dies. People always bring up the question of his legacy and and ask "What did he contribute?" Well for some he was a slick lawyer that got murderers and child molesters off. For me (and I don't think I'm alone in this) he was a great leagal mind, who was able to find justice for a few in a system in where it is few and far between. Some people will think of him as a hired gun, but I will remember him as a man who worked for nothing to help the poor. Say what you want about him but at the end of the day you have to repect the man for knowing the law.

Good bye sir, there will not be any like you for a long time.

What if Terry Schiavo was black?

There's been a lot of blogging and a lot of ranting over the Terry Schiavo case these past few months.

At this time I'm going to throw my two cents out there and rant my a** off. Why? Because I'm just sick and tired of hearing about this woman.

First off this woman is no longer a person she's become a political cause. It's so hypocritical that in the efforts to restore her dignity the conservatives have done just the oppostie. And it's a damn shame. Personally I think they should have pulled the tube a while ago and let the woman die in peace. But now there's national debate over what we should do in this kind of situation. But what if Terry Schiavo was black or native American? Would we give a damn? Would GW Bush actually care?

No. There wouldn't be one camera on her if she was black. This country has a long legacy of doing worse things to black women.

Lets take for example forced sterilization.

Of course there are those that say "But those laws are off the books." Yes those laws that were made in the early 1900's are off the books but their spirit remains.

That's how deep race is in this country. Instead of taking your life they take away your ability to create it.

Fringe Thursday 3-24-05: Oldboy and Layer Cake

I think I mentioned this movie in last December. It comes out tomorrow (Friday 3-25-05) in selected theaters in New York and Los Angles.

It's the story of a man who is captured and inprisoned for 15 years without reason. One day he is released with a wallet filled with cash and a mobile phone. While he eats in a Japanese restaurant, a strange man calls Dae-su and asks him to figure out why he was imprisoned. I'm not going to give anymore away after that.

Check out the trailer here.




Based upon the JJ Connelly's London crime novel, "LAYER CAKE" is about a successful cocaine dealer (layed by Daniel Craig) who has earned a respected place among England's Mafia elite and plans an early retirement from the business. Things get complicated when he's asked to do one last favor for the Big Boss.

Layer Cake is produced by the same people who brought us 1998's Lock Stock and Two Loaded Barrels and Snatch (2000). Matthew Vaughn is director on this one, frankly I think they should have tried to get Guy Ritchie. Vaughn is one to watch in the upcoming months, recently he has been recently tapped to direct the new X-Men movie.

Layer Cake is set for release May 13th, 2005. You can check out the trailer here.

Hip Hop Wednesday 3-23-05: Minor notes and random stuff

• Damn it seems like they're giving time out like it's gov't cheese. First Martha Stewart had to do some time now Lil Kim's bracing herself for a stay in the big house.

• I'm glad that 50 Cent is taking responsibility and stepping up and saying he's a role model. Personally I wouldn't want my children to fashion their lives after 50 Cent but at the same time I would like them to see that he serves for an example of someone who overcame the odds to get ahead.

• They shootin!. I thought guns were banned in England. Where the hell was security? I love this quote from him: "Hip Hop is not Vote or Die."

Fringe Thursday 3-17-05 Top Ten Romantic Comedies 1-5

5. Love and Sex (2000)

Famke Janssen plays Kate a journalist who looks back on her romantic past while trying to meet a deadline on an article concerning romance. Jon Favreau plays Adam a struggling artist who plays Kate's love interest. There's a weird chemistry between the two principals in this movie, that works. The only flaw is that it gets a little formulaic toward the end.


4. Hav Plenty (1997)

The title is a play on the two lead characters names, Havilland Savage (Chenoa Maxwell) and Lee Plenty (writer/director Chris Scott Cherot). She's rich, haughty, and cursed with a mercurial temperament. He's broke, humble to the point of self- deprecation, and affable. It all starts New Year's Eve when a dateless Havilland (after breaking up with her cheating boyfriend), invites Lee to make the drive from New York to Washington D.C. to act as her companion for the evening. Lee's one-night stay in D.C. lengthens into a several-days vacation, and, during the course of his time there, he is hit on by both the unattached Caroline (Havilland's best friend) and the newly-married Leigh (Havilland's sister). Regardless of how attracted he is to the women, Lee rebuffs their advances, because he's in love with Havilland but he really doesn't know it. This movie acts on the old formula of opposites attract. It's disappointing that Chris Cherot hasn't done anything worthy of note since.



3. Loving Jezebel (1999)

This movie is the story of my life (more or less). It's the story of a guy who always ends up falling for the wrong woman. Hill Harper plays the charmingly dorky Theodorous Melville. Theo has a problem, he keeps falling in love with the wrong women--most often, his friends' girlfriends. Barely surviving college, where he slept with the girlfriend of the football team's star running back, Theodorus eventually settles in New York City with his best friend, whose gorgeous Trinidadian girlfriend, Mona (Sandrine Holt), can't hide her attraction for him. Meanwhile, Theodorus is in the midst of a passionate affair with Frances (Nicole Ari Parker),whose mental stability is questionable. Working as a waiter in a coffee shop, Theodorus befriends the bumbling Samantha (Laurel Holloman), a sweet-natured woman who is married to Gabe (David Moscow), a walking time bomb.



2. Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)

John Cusack plays a contract killer who's going through the 30-something mid-life crisis. After botching up a hit in Florida his secretary (played by his sister Joan) gives him the message that his 10 year HS reunion is coming up. At first he doesn't want to go but then he gets an job (to make up for the botched hit) in his hometown. He makes the pilgramige back to Grosse Pointe and catches up with his former girlfriend (Minne Driver) whom he stood up at the prom. Somewhere in there he gains a new respect for human life.

1. Lost in Translation (2003)


Bill Murray is brilliant in this movie. The story of two ships passing in the night has been done many times in cinema but there's something about this movie that takes it to another level. You can see that these two people love each other and you know both are aware of the obvious unspoken obstacles in their way. But regardless of the obvious age difference they "get" each other. You can tell by a look he gives her or a glance she gives him.

Hip Hop Wednesday 3-16-05: Jada Kiss and Fat Joe respond

Ahh the beef between 50 Cent and The Game maybe be over but that doesn't mean the beef between Jada Kiss, Fat Joe and Nas isn't.


"Checkmate" uses the beat from a 50 Cent a dis record called Animal; aimed at Murder Inc. on 50's 2050: Before the Massacre mixtape. Here's an excerpt:

"Most likely your CD is ... / Bunch of love songs, 100 percent pure garbage ... / You should just sell clothes and sneakers/ 'Cause out of the whole camp, your flow's the weakest ... / It'll take a lifetime to see Kiss/ You had to get shot nine times to be rich/ Rat ass nigga, you's an animal,you's a muthaf*ckin' animal."




Meanwhile Fat Joe just cuts to the chase with a track called "F*ck 50"

"I see MJ in the hood more than Curtis, hate it or Love it the Game's on top/Now you jealous of him/When your sh*t gonna stop!? Oh yea you got 65 niggas on your team/And they're not from Southside Jamaica, Queens/They're the boys in blue/I'm just speaking the truth/Now we all see the bitch in you."

Nas has yet to respond. But I'm sure when he drops his response it will be hot.

On a side note Brian 'Head' Welch formally of the band Korn says he has a song for 50. For those of you who don't know Welch quit Korn because he wanted to band to rededicate his life to Christianity. Good luck with that Brian.

My new side gig

In the words of the HNIC Panama Jackson:

"We The Voices is a collective of individuals with nothing better to do than make your life better. Intended to shock and awe, as well as inform. The sole goal of this project is to provide edutainment. What is edutainment you ask? Good question. Edutainment is the knowledge you actually seek out. The knowledge that makes learning worth doing. It’s the kind of information that doesn’t turn books into kryptonite. Basically, it’s that ignorant shit you like, only with facts to back it up."

I'm proud to say that I am one of the many contributors to this site. I'd like to thank the HNIC (Panama) and the NMIC (Black Martha) for this opportunity.

So please feel free to check out my article in the movie section on the site.

Conspiracy Theories: COINTELPRO

Last week we covered the Tuskegee Experiment, this week we attempt to cover another conspiracy that was perpetrated against the black community.

COINTELPRO

COINTELPRO is an acronym for a series of FBI counterintelligence programs designed to neutralize political dissidents. Although covert operations have been employed throughout FBI history, the formal COINTELPRO's of 1956-1971 were broadly targeted against radical political organizations.

The program was initially targeted at the Communist Party, USA (CPUSA). After its initial success, it was expanded to include many other organizations. Some of the largest COINTELPROs targeted the Socialist Worker's Party, the "New Left" (including several anti-war groups such as the Students for a Democratic Society and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (aka SNCC)), Black Liberation groups such as the Black Panthers, Puerto Rican independence groups, and the American Indian Movement.

In early 1971, COINTELPRO was brought to light when a "Citizens Committee to Investigate the FBI" removed secret files from an FBI office in Media, PA and released them to the press. Agents began to resign from the Bureau and blow the whistle on covert operations. That same year, publication of the Pentagon Papers, the Pentagon's top-secret history of the Vietnam War, exposed years of systematic official lies about the war.

COINTELPRO's effect on the black civil rights movement was vast.

In addition to Marin Luther King the, Black Panthers were also a target.

For those of you who are interested in looking up some of the declassified info please go to www.cointel.org.

Fringe Thursday: 3-10-05 Top Ten Romantic comedies 10 to 6

I love romantic comedies. But I don't really like standard Hollywood romantic comedies. I like movies that are off the beaten track so to speak. The following list is my top ten romantic comedies. Not all of them have happy endings where the guy gets the girl some of them have actual real endings in where the guy for whatever reason losses the girl.

10. She's Gotta Have It (1986)
Spike Lee's first film about an independent woman and her three lovers. I don't think up until that point I had ever seen a movie in where the female lead had a problem with commitment. Nola Darling played by Tracy Camilla Johns is bright, sexy and just blunt. The dinner scene in where all three men she's sleeping with is probably one of the funniest things Spike Lee has ever put on film.

9. High Fidelity (2000)
You can't have a romantic comedy list without at least one John Cusack movie. High Fidelity is based on the novel by Nick Hornby. It's about a guy who's going through the "what's it all about" phase. If you're over 30 you know exactly what I mean. Cusack plays Rob Gordon a manager of a small record store in Chicago. As the movie opens his girlfriend Laura (played by Iben Hjejle) leaves him and moves in with the upstairs neighbor (played by Tim Robbins). Throughout the movie he recalls his past breakups and goes on a emotional journey in an effort to try to put the past breakups behind him. I highly recommend this flick.

8. Chasing Amy (1997)
This is probably one of the best scripts Kevin Smith (post Clerks) has ever written. Granted I'm not the biggest Ben Afleck fan out there, but this movie convinced me that he can actually deliver great dialogue when need be. The scene between Afleck and Joey Lauren Adams in the rain will always stand out as one of the best romantic exchanges in film.

7. Fall (1997)
Writer/director Eric Schaeffer plays a New York cab driver that falls in love with a super model. This is one of those few movies that whenever it comes on cable I have to watch. You have to suspend disbelief to really enjoy this movie. It doesn't end the way you think it does.

6. Love Jones (1997)
Writer/director Theodore Witcher gives us an urban setting in where we find a characters mostly young, African-American, and middle class now keep in mind romantic comedies like this were still rare. In addition to being a very good film the soundtrack is probably one of the most underrated soundtracks ever.

Next week on Fringe Thursday we'll finish the list.

Late day rant: Women and Hip Hop

Saturday night I saw a rerun of SNL with Dana Owens (aka Queen Latifah) as guest host. Let's just say it was a display of coonery that I've never seen before. It kinda puts this kind of thing in perspective when it comes to hip hop music and women's role in it.

Why are these women bitching? Where were they when Dana Owens (aka Queen Latifah) made Bringing Down the House and Taxi?

Saturday night made me realize that Ms. Owens isn't hip hop anymore. She used her music to get her foot in the door to become an entertainer. Somewhere along the line she stopped being the Queen of hip hop and became a singer/actress. Now I know you must be asking yourself what does this have to do with how women are portrayed in the world of hip hop. Well it's simple. Asha Jennings and the women of Spelman who are protesting hip hop music should understand that when a rapper (or MC) makes a video in a woman's image is that of a bitch and hoe it doesn't necessarily mean that all women are bitches and hoes.

Come on let's be real here. There are women out there who are hoes, and there's nothing wrong with that pimps gotta get their money ya know. And we all know there are some bitches in this world. In fact I think it is to a woman's advantage to be perceived as a bitch.

If you are a black woman and you listen to Nelly you should first off ask yourself why? Why am I listening to this guy? We all know why women listen to artists like Nelly. The music has a nice beat and I'm not afraid to say that his type ain't too hard on the eyes (if ya like that sort of thing).

So what does that tell you? His looks excuse his lyrics.

If you are nodding your head to what I'm saying continue reading but if you can't follow what I'm leading you to then you might as well close out of this browser and pick up a Nelly CD or some other form of ignorant entertainment.

Point 1:
If a man (or woman) is cute they can get away with a lot of stupid things.

Point 2:
The women who are being exploited in these videos auditioned to be in them and they work very hard with one goal in mind, and that goal is to be featured in a video. And trust me some of them haven't paid for a meal since they were 13.

Point 3:
Bitches and hoes do exist but they do not make up the majority of real women out there. But they do make up the majority of women that these rappers have been exposed to. So if you are a woman who doesn't consider herself a bitch or a hoe, don't take it so personally cause he ain't talking about you.

Conspiracy Theories: The Tuskegee Experiment

Some of you thought that Black History Month ended on Feb. 28. Well in the words of P.Diddy "I thought I told you, that we won't stop, I thought I told you, we won't stop."

Why do black people think there is someone out to get them? Well maybe cause someone is out to get them.

There are a lot of conspiracy theories within the black community. Some of them are true and some aren't. This entry is part of a series of entries on conspiracy theories.

The Tuskegee Experiment

The most egregious of all the conspiracies commited against the black community is the Tuskegee experiment. For forty years between 1932 and 1972, the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) conducted an experiment on 399 black men in the late stages of syphilis. These men, for the most part illiterate sharecroppers from one of the poorest counties in Alabama, were never told what disease they were suffering from or of its seriousness. Informed that they were being treated for “bad blood,” their doctors had no intention of curing them of syphilis at all. The data for the experiment was to be collected from autopsies of the men, and they were thus deliberately left to degenerate under the ravages of tertiary syphilis—which can include tumors, heart disease, paralysis, blindness, insanity, and death. “As I see it,” one of the doctors involved explained, “we have no further interest in these patients until they die.”

President Bill Clinton apologized in 1997. What amazes me is that most white people didn't even believe this actually happened. What's good about his apology (be it late) is that he acknowledged the crime and took responsibility.

Hip Hop Wednesday 3/2/05: Breaking News Game vs. 50 Cent

There are too many carnivorous in hip hop. Everyone loves BEEF way too much. Who didn't see this coming?

50 Cent booted The Game out of G-Unit Monday night.

And just as he's kicking Game out his clique some one gets shot outside of Hot 97. Coincidence? I think not. The authorities now say the victim is not affiliated with G-Unit but now the authorities have stated that the victim is a native of Compton, the hometown of The Game.

Hot 97 has identified the victim as Kevin Reed an associate of Game, police said. Reed, 20, of Compton was shot once in the upper leg-groin area and grazed twice – once in the leg and shoulder, police said. He was treated and released from St. Vincent's Medical Center yesterday.

I really hope this doesn't go the way of Bigge and Pac. Game just wants to make music and feed his family he didn't want any trouble. The beef that 50 has with Jada Kiss, Fat Joe and Nas is his own beef. Game isn't 50's boy (as Interscope would like you to believe)

This is all Jimmy Iovine's (the founder of Interscope records) fault.

Game was originally signed solely to Dr. Dre's Aftermath imprint, working on his album for a couple of years before Interscope Chairman Jimmy Iovine proposed bringing Game into the G-Unit fold. Iovine talked to Dre, who called in 50.

"They came up with the idea that I should roll with G-Unit because they already have a crazy buzz and they selling albums," Game told MTV last spring. "They got the East and they got the South; I'm from the West, obviously. I'm young and I'm hungry just like them. 50 is still in the streets, he's still hungry, still blowing up, and [Lloyd] Banks and [Young] Buck are doing their thing, so why not put the kid from Compton with these cats since they already out there? All they missing is the West Coast, and then you have a universal group."

"Game had actually been on Aftermath for two years before they gave me the opportunity to do the project with Dre," 50 told MTV in January. "I think creatively they were stuck a little, but then when I was brought in we were able to add new energy. They got excited about the project, brought him out, we recorded like nine records at the house in Farmington, [Connecticut]. He went back to Los Angeles with the records, Dre liked them, and I just got him re-motivated and he went in and finished up the album."

With Dre and the rest of Interscope fully behind Game's The Documentary, 50 said he felt neglected when it was time for his The Massacre LP to get it's proper attention.

So again I ask why should Game be loyal to 50? 50 started a beef with Far Joe and Jada Kiss months ago when he released a mixtape song called Piggy Bank what business is it of Game's to get involved with this? I really hope no one else gets hurt as a result of this. This whole thing reminds me of what Pat Reily once said.

"When elephants fight it is the grass that suffers."
Special thanks to MTV.com for providing some insight on this matter.

Oscar recap

C.F. Kane here in for Doc Strangejazz. Doc Strangejazz didn't have the heart to do a recap so he asked me. Apparently when Clint Eastwood was annouced as best director Strangejazz lost his mind and decided to destroy his TV. Also he was kinda disappointed in Chris Rock.

And the winners are:

BEST PICTURE
Million Dollar Baby - Seriously WTF? WHY GAWD WHY! The girl falls on a stool and the movie gets an Oscar? This is BS.

BEST DIRECTOR
Clint Eastwood (Million Dollar Baby) - DAMN YOU EASTWOOD! Scorsese got robbed. This is the 5th time he's gotten robbed.

BEST ACTOR
Jammie Foxx (Ray) - We all had a feeling this would happen. I for one had a tear in my eye. Do you realize that it took Jammie Foxx less time to win an Oscar than Tom Hanks, Kevin Spacey, and Denzel Washington? It is great that an icon could be honored by such a performance. Whatever you do from here on out please don't f*ck up by doing something stupid.

BEST ACTRESS
Hilary Swank (Million Dollar Baby) - I gotta give it to her. She was great in that movie. And ya know what her husband didn't cry like a little bitch. I'm sure her people from the trailer park are lighting the grill up tonight.

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Morgan Freeman (Million Dollar Baby) - You truly have come a long way from the days of Easy Reader. You are the ultimate magical negro. You sir are an inspiration.

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Cate Blanchett (The Aviator) - You should give your Oscar to Scorsese. Come on Cate it'll cheer him up.

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Charlie Kaufman, Michel Gondry and Pierre Bismuth, for "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" - Good job Charlie. Your speech sucked but you get a pass cause you were nervous.

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor, for "Sideways" - Well at least you don't leave the party empty handed.

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Born Into Brothels - I loved Zana Briski's speech thanking the kids that are still in the slums of Calcutta I'm sure they were watching, yeah right.

Minor Notes:

• Chris Rock really played it safe. I'm sure he's going to come under fire for not being as edgy as he could be.
• Is it me or is Clint Eastwood's wife not white?
• P. Diddy was wearing a Sean John original tux, now that's smart, think about it he uses the Oscars as a way to promote his stuff.
• Beyonce sang like 3 out of the five nominated songs, WHY? Is it me or does she have some kind of Dina Ross complex?
• Why did Chris Rock have to yell BROOKLYN at the end of the evening?
• Is it me or does Sean Penn have no sense of humor? It was a joke Sean everyone knows who Jude Law is. He's just a tad bit over exposed.

My interview with Stacy J from the Apprentice.

A couple of weeks ago I was walking around Harlem on 125th Street and I bumped into Stacy J. Well that's not really true I saw her crossing the street and I saw her going into a grocery store and I followed her around until I found an opening in a conversation she was having about carrots. So I asked her for an interview and she put me in touch with her publicist. Normally the way I conduct interviews is that I email the questions and the subject emails them back to me. This time around would be a little different. Stacy reviewed the question and decided to call me. We spoke for at least an hour about her time the Apprentice and what her future plans are.

My first impression with Stacy was that she was very down to earth but very intense and serious about what she does. I started the interview by asking her if she was planning on writing a book and if so what is it about? She said yes she is but she couldn't get into details about it. But she is fielding offers from different publishers.

You've got one Subway franchise in Harlem are you working on acquiring another?
My inspiration for having a store is my family, some of my relatives work there. The business is about 2 years old. No, I don't plan on it I've got a lot of other things going on.

What do you think your experience on the Apprentice has taught America about race?
I think this type of thing happens everyday in corporate America to minorities. What I went through no one should have to go through. I realized that there is a ceiling, the show exposes their hand to what their about.
*Note. We talked extensively about race in corporate America but I really didn't take good notes in our conversation. I could tell that Stacy and I are pretty much on the same page when it comes to race in corporate America. What happened to her on that show was just terrible the editors should be ashamed, yeah I know they were just doing their job but they leave a lot out of that show.

What have you been doing since the Apprentice?
I'm on WBLS Show 8:05AM Fridays with Paul Mooney. I'm still modeling, and I am in the works of doing an endorsement for Seven7 Jeans.

What is the most asked question you often get?
Are you crazy?
*Note I couldn't believe people still ask her this. It's amazing that people believe what they see on TV. For the record SHE AIN'T CRAZY folks.

What do you do when you have free time?
Travel, go to South Beach, I love LA, Running, I believe in staying in shape. I love Vikrum Yoga.

You once said "Success should be measured by what you had to give up to achieve it." Do you find that you've had to make a lot of sacrifices to get to where you are today? And were those sacrifices worth it?
Yes, I could have taken the easy way out by just traveling around and modeling. But I don't regret any of the choices I've made and all of the sacrifices were worth it.

I really want to thank Stacy and Michelle (Stacy's publicist) for finding the time for me. I really greatly appreciate it.

Fringe Thursday 2/24/05: Must see black films

The first question I asked myself when I first started writing this is: What makes a black movie "black". The criteria for a black movie is the following (now keep in mind this is my site so we are playing by my rules) A black film should have the combination of the following:

• Black director
• Black producer
• Black screenwriter
• Black actors
• Last but not least the subject matter in which black culture is portrayed in a positive light.

Everything else is just n*gga nonsense.

I intentionally left out Boyz in the Hood, Menace II Society, Do the Right Thing (and a couple of others you may heard of), because those movies were no brainers. Although the list I put together has some no brainers I also mixed in some movies that you've probably haven't heard before. The list was designed to reflect various points of view within black culture.

All of this would not have been possible if it wasn't for Oscar Micheaux to lead the way. He's the inspiration for any black person who aspires to become involved in the film industry.

In the Heat of the Night (1967) - Sidney Poitier already had over 20 movies under his belt before staring in this and he was a moderate box office draw. He paid his dues and this was part was a reward of sorts. Poitier's performance is brilliant. When you get a chance watch the movie carefully. Notice how his character gains the respect of the reluctant Chief Gillespie (Rod Steiger). Detective Tibbs does it by just being better at his job than Gillespie.

Watermelon Man (1970) - Mario Van Peebles did this movie a year before he made Sweet Sweetback's Badd Ass Song. It is the story of how a white bigot wakes up one morning to discover he's become a black man. Godfrey Cambridge is great in this movie. Would you believe the producers wanted to cast a white man in the lead?

Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970) - Ossie Davis wrote and directed this adaptation of the Chester Himes classic. The first black buddy cop movie I can remember enjoying. How many movies made pre-1970 (not including the Micheaux race movies) that are directed and written by a black man based on material written by a black man? Ossie Davis was a trailblazer for a reason folks.

Shaft (1971) - This movie was the cash cow of the 70's. It proved that black heroes were marketable (at least til they got tired of us). Shaft was originally supposed to be a white guy. But with the studio hiring Gordon Parks Sr to direct and the success of Mario Van Peebles Sweetback's success the studio decided to rewrite the movie for a black audience.

Three the Hard Way (1974) - The premise alone was enough to make me see this movie many times over as a kid. The story involves a white supremacist plot to taint the United States water supply with a toxin that is harmless to whites but lethal to blacks. The only obstacles that stand in the way of this dastardly plan are Jim Brown, Fred Williamson and Jim Kelly, who shoot, kick and karate chop their way to final victory. Of course we win in the end. This movie probably has one of the highest body counts of white people in that era.

A Soldier's Story (1984) - The cast alone is incredible. The ending telling. Adolph Caesar should have gotten an Oscar for what he did in this movie.

Hollywood Shuffle (1987) - If you plan on being a black actor in Hollywood, you must see this movie. The activator scene is one of the funniest things put of film. The most disappointing thing is that Robert Townsend isn't doing stuff like that today.

Raw (1987) - See what happens when enough power players in Hollywood get on the same page? Directed by Robert Townsend. This is when Eddie Murphy was funny and before he started taking money to do sh*t. The opening sketch was written by Keenen Ivory Wayans (who also was one of the producers) and the director of cinematography was Ernest R. Dickerson (director of Juice). They have not worked with each other since and it's a damn shame. Look for Sam Jackson in the opening he plays Eddie's uncle who's the only one laughing at Eddie's joke.

School Daze (1988) - If you plan on pledging a black frat see this movie. This movie also deals with a lot of boughy stereotypes. And talks about that little secret we've had among each other concerning light and dark skin.

Glory (1989) - The story that every young black American child should know. And not forget.

Daughters of the Dust (1991) - This is a work of passion by director Julie Dash. This movie will make you want to read about the Gullah culture in the Carolinas.

One False Move (1992) - Afro-Noir at its finest. Carl Franklin's debut is a brilliant work that contains a few twists that take the viewer for a loop. Side note: When this movie first came out no one realized that the director was black.

Dead Presidents (1995) - Great heist movie. One of the best soundtracks ever.

Hav Plenty (1997) - Boughy comedy. I put this in there because it's just so damn funny. Lee Plenty is an almost broke would-be novelist and Havilland Savage is rich and very beautiful woman and his friend. When she invites him to her home for New Year's Eve, and from there it gets funny. In this movie you have various "Boughy" stereotypes. The broke (but educated) black man, the sista that has it all together, the golddigging best friend, etc.

Rosewood (1997) - The story of a forgotten town. Again if you are a black person living in America you should see this movie. It presents an ugly side of America that people have forgotten about, but a side we should always remember.

Bamboozled (2000) - Spike Lee's angriest movie. It gets muddled toward the end but I still think it is a very important film.

Boycott (2001) - In his portrayal of MLK I feel Jeffrey Wright got it down in this one.

Paid in Full (2002) - Of all the "hood" movies that have been made. This one closes the book on them perfectly.

Notable mention: Birth of a Nation (1915) - This movie is on the list because it provides us with perspective on how far we've come. It is a must see if you are African-American. Please keep in mind there were no black people in this movie. All the actors playing black roles had to wear black face. It caused riots nationwide and was a favorite at the White House.

Bill's in the clear!

This kind of news always comes just before the weekend.

Personally I'm kinda happy that this has come to an end. Now Bill can get back to business of uplifting the people.

Fringe Thrusday 2-17-05

This week I want to give it up to someone who I consider to be one of the most underrated directors in Hollywood. This brotha is truely on the fringe.

Carl Franklin is one of those directors that flies under Hollywood's radar. He really doesn't make what people consider "black movies" he just makes good movies. In 1992 he colaborated with a the then little known writer Billy Bob Thornton on a movie called One False Move. When the film was completed, the original plan was to release it straight to video. Stronger than expected word of mouth convinced the distributor to send it to theaters. It ended up being one of the best sleepers of that year and director Carl Franklin ended up winning an Independent Spirit Award.

But what most people don't know is that he started out his career on the A- Team as Capt. Crane.

Daddy I've got a secret.....

and I want to tell it in front of a whole bunch of people.

This couldn't have happened to a better guy.

The thing you hate will always end up in your family. Good for your girl.

The top five secrets black people keep from white people.

DISCLAIMER

The following rant is my opinion and there will be generalizations so please in your replies keep that in mind.

#5 - We really do like John Mayer and a whole bunch of people you would think we never really listen to.

Seriously we really do like him. There's just something about his music that we can't deny. We won't admit it to you but we really do like him. In addition to John Mayer we also like. Steely Dan, Fleetwood Mack, Eric Clapton, Sting (OH WE LOVE US SOME STING), U2 and Joni Mitchell to name a few.

#4 - We really like freaking white folks out.

We like freaking you out in different ways. I know you always hear the stories about how the little old lady on the elevator grabbed her purse in response to a black man getting in behind her. Hell, it's happened to me. But deep down we kinda like the fact that some of you feel we are going to do something to you. Another way black people freak white folks out is by knowing more about their sh*t than they do be it music or politics or anything. A classic example is the black person with an English accent or any accent for that matter. White people always are shocked when they find out that a black person can speak a whole other language besides English. Basically we like it when you under estimate us.

#3 - We are just as conservative as you are (sometimes even more so).

The black church may let a gay man be choir director but he can't get married in the black church. The black church was one of the many supporters of George W. Bush in this past election. In fact this is where the GOP sees it's future. I know it sounds crazy but as I said before this is the stuff that black people would not admit to white America.

#2 - We date outside our race because we are afraid of commitment.

Very few black men (or women) set out to marry a person of another race. I know that back in the day we used to aspire to that kind of thing, but those days have changed, don't twisted. Now please keep in mind this is a generalization and this does not go for everyone. For those of you who are in a interracial relationship reading this, just breathe and relax. This doesn't mean that there is something wrong with you just means he (or she) is having fun. It's not that he (or she) doesn't love you. It's just that you may not be his (or her) first choice.

#1 - We really want to be accepted by white folks. We really care what you think.

Yeah this is a big one. I know in spite of all the bitching and whining that we do about equality and civil rights it really just comes down to being accepted by you. We care what white people think deep down. And this manifests itself in strange ways throughout our culture. Why do you think gangsta rappers move to the suburbs? Of course there are factors like low crime rate but the truth of the matter is they want their kids to grow up near you.

RIP Ossie Davis

Ossie Davis one of the most distinguished and honored black actors died Feb. 4, 2005. He is best known for his various roles in Spike Lee's movies (School Daze, Do the Right Thing and Jungle Fever). But before those movies there was a career that spanned stage, radio and television.

Raiford Chatman Davis was born in Cogdell, GA, on December 18, 1917. After earning a degree at Washington, D.C.'s Howard University, he moved to New York to attempt a writing career and to study drama with Harlem's Rose McClendon Players. Despite his college diploma, Davis found work on the side in various menial jobs. He then spent a couple years in the military, where he penned and performed a few shows for the troops. After the war, he made his Broadway debut in 1946 appearing in Jeb Turner. It was a short-lived show, but it did serve to introduce him to his future wife, Ruby Dee, with whom he later hosted a radio and television show. By the 1950s, Davis had become a well-respected supporting actor.

-Sandra Brennan

Bill Clinton had this to say about Ossie. "He would have been a very good president of the United States."

I feel very lucky to have been able to see him perform. My heart goes out to his wife and soul mate Ruby Dee and the family. 87 years is a long time but for some it is not enough. Good bye Ossie thank you.