What is Tada!

Laying back, daydreaming, a few days ago, I suddenly found myself on warm sand wearing dark shades  with the sound of the surf roaring, nearby.  As I think about it, I must have been on some resort in the Bahamas.  Suddenly, a dark sun kissed waitress appeared in a g-string and a strip of sea shells covering her top part asking if I’d like to order a drink. Definitly trying to capture the moment, I ask for “something exotic with a taste that “popped”, something sweet and colorful, but still wtih an edge or a kick to it.”  She said that she recommended the Tada.  That’s when I realized that I had fallen asleep as I woke up and noticed “No One Else”, the new video from Tada’s new I’m That Girl” album playing.

"I'm That Girl" The New Album

I happened to be in the studio in L.A. over the weekend tightening up a few things and Tada dropped by, while she was in the states making rounds.  Hailing from Nassau, Bahama, she has a promising future.  Ya’ll know how I get when I hear fresh and tasty new stuff and she just happened to have some copies of her new c.d.  for which I gave her mad props, after being able to listen to and thouroughly enjoying every cut.  The project has some nice feature artist as well and some of my favorites were “Go” featuring Chello the Black Pearl, the title cut “I’m that Girl” featuring Overlord and the “No One Else” joint.  The album is available on ITunes and at C.D.Baby as well.  Show Tada some love (as well as do yourself a favor) and check it out, you know I’ve never steered you wrong.  Oh yeah, and if anyone runs into her before I see her again, tell her that “World Famous” is looking for her.  I’d love to work with ya, Tada!!!!!

What is DJ Jazzy Jeff presents “He’s The King I’m The DJ”! (free mixtape)

I was indulging myself in my man Joe E.’s blog and discovered this.. Shout outs to ya Joe for puttin this up. It’s a straight up treasure!!
Click image to download the free mixtape.

What is Dirty Projectors “Stillness Is The Move”!

Thsi is a beautiful video. The track is slammin as well!!

What is Bilal “Levels”!

Check out Bilal performing “Levels” at the CMJ Marathon. This ish is Bananas!!

What is Converse 1HUND(RED) Artists Chuck Taylors!

The Converse 1HUND(RED) initiative is a year-long global project celebrating the partnership and commemorates the brand’s 100th anniversary. Converse has brought together 100 artists from around the globe to celebrate the artistic spirit and help eliminate AIDS in Africa.

"these are my favorites...) from artist no, 2 Bobby Shriver, Humanitarian and co-founder of (RED)

"this pair is so Lupe...) from artist no. 80 Lupe Fiasco, rapper

"Ahhh.. A Fri Caaa,," from artist 47 Chloe Hugo, South Africa

What is the Blind Side!

The Blind Side is a movie inspired by a true story about one Caucasian woman’s maternal instinct that compelled her to go the distance to rescue a troubled, homeless and illiterate teenaged African American male by the name of Michael Oher. Her devotion and love and his response to the love and generosity of her family and his courage to overcome his dysfunctional upbringing, resulted in him going from homelessness and illiteracy to being signed on by the Baltimore Ravens. This story is one that inspires faith in our fellow man! The movie will be in theaters on November 20th.

After reading his story, what I found so remarkable was that a family of Caucasians in “White Suberbia, USA” risked their reputations with their friends and neighbors and gambled against all odds to have a trouble African American teenage male who was a complete stranger move in with them putting their young caucasian daughter and their impressionable young son at risk. In a day and age, when honestly, Caucasians are yet having trouble about African Americans moving into their neighborhoods and living next door to them, here is a family that moves a complete stranger into their home to be a part of their family. Wow! What is greater than their courage to respond to the teen’s obvious need was this kid’s response to their love.  He went from illiterate and having never played football  nor having ever attended school on a regular basis to being on the honor roll , graduating from highschool and going on to be signed on to a professional football team. Love does conquer all!  Can the choir say Amen?

What is Hair Salon

Hair Salon is the first game to make exclusive use of the Nintendo DSi’s features. All DS’s can run the game, but purchasers of the latest hardware will be able to use the DSi’s built in camera for face recognition. Rather than a random game avatar, they can make their own “look” fly. With thousands of hair and makeup combinations, even Sha Nay Nay would never run out of ideas.  This time around the action takes us to the hair salon where players can try their hands at  running a busy boutique salon.  Gamers learn to cut, colour and style hair as well as to apply general makeup. Additionally, gamers must learn to be client focused and ensure that they are doing all they can to they can to keep clients happy.  Once gamers master the basics, they  can participate in contests that, if they win, will boost your salons rankings.

As former hair stylist, I find Hair Salon to be intriguing. How authentic is the experience and from where did their do their proto-typing? If Hair Salon does not address the following questions, I can not imagine that whoever designed the game ever went into a “real” salon, at least one on the “other side of the tracks” and I do not mean weave tracks!

• Can a player offer a discount, if the client brings her own weave hair?
• Is there a character that can enter my salon selling various goods at extremely discounted prices, I need a flatscreen?
• How many options are available with regards to weave hair (i.e. Yak, Hawiian Silky, Indian, etc., etc.)?
• Are their chairs made especially appropriated for kids to swivel around in until they become dizzy and/or nauceaous?
• Are there local cuisine offerings like catfish and bbq dinners and/or hot link sandwiches in nice styrofoam to go boxes?
• Is there an in-house live Jerry Springer casting for all patrons to view or hear about at every visit?
• Can patrons run out to the beauty supply for their stylist in the event he/she has run out of product and/or supplies?
• What happens if we get too close when clipping Miss Ruppert’s cuticles?  She cussed Tran out good the last time!

What is a Big Shot!

Big Shot digital camera kit for kids (and curious ad adults)

www.bigshotcamera.org/

What is “A Star is Born”!

In response to the numerous calls that I’ve  received asking if it was my voice on Jay Z’s Blue Print 3 song “A Star is Born”, the answere is YES!!!  The liner notes give a feature credit to J. Cole who raps the third verse, but fails to mentioon your’s truly (an oversight, we hope).  Anyway, I guess we made “History” again, which by the way is (the song “History”) featured on the Lebron James, More Than A Game, soundtrack.

What is N’dambi: “Pink Elephant”!

More than a few weeks ago,  I was walking into “Forever Young Records” , a music store near my house and was greeted by a barage of brightly colored promotional fliers that covered the glass of the entry:  N’dambi Pink Elephant in stores now (or something like that). I still vibe to her 02 independent release, Tunin up & Co-Signin, but ever since she signed on with the Stax label, at least a couple of years ago, I’ve been in anticipation.  There was no way I was leaving the store without Pink Elephant , in hand, even after the guy behind the counter had told me, ” It don’t come out til tuesday (it was on a Friday), all we have is the advance promotional c.d.”

“Well shoot, heck, break yo self then, fool!”, I said.  I walked out with “Pink Elephant”.

What is www.juicemagazine.co.uk/ !

Earlier this year while touring Europe, we happened to swing through the U.K. and while in London the folks at Juice Magazine “holla’d atcha boy”.  Juice, an upstart glamour mag that will remind you of King, released ists first issue back in Dec. 08/ Jan. 09 in hard copy.  As I understand the most current issue which features your’s truely is still on the presses but the magazine has reeleased an exclusive digital issue. Click on the “Juice” logo below to check out the Tony Williams interview that starts on page on 18, as well as a fashion spread on page 34.  The issue also features an interview withe Rita G, “the Kanye Killer” from the Flashing Lights video as well as some London hottie pictorals..

What is “You Can’t Get The Whale Penis Leather Seats After All”

What’s the world coming to when you can get your $1.45 million bulletproof SUV with gold trim, a ridiculously expensive Vertu cell phone and three bottles of premium vodka but you can’t get the whale penis skin interior?

We have environmentalists and Pamela Anderson to thank for this.

What is Maxwell: Blacksummers’ Night!

So the tour buses have been unpacked and (hopefully only for the moment) the instruments are all in cases.  Maxwell just wrapped up the fall leg of his Blacksummers’ night tour which has been receiving rave reviews and I think it’s about time you heard mine.  SU-PERB!!!  In fact, so nice, I saw it twice.  That’s right, while in Atlanta a few weeks ago, I took a break from the studio and caught the Phillips Arena show.  A week later, I saw it again in Dallas at American Airlines Arena.. Un huh, Maxwell is packing out arenas with this show..  Anyway, let me start off by mentioning BLACKsummers’ night the album.  Also, let me first admit that I’m a Maxwell neophyte, I just never really got into the Maxwell movement… well, I did finally buy a previously owned copy 0f Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite at the c.d. trader around the corner, I think it still has the $4.99 sticker on it.. uhh, that was about two years ago.  I think the reason for my apprehension has always been that neo-soul label (I’ll expound later).  So anyway, one day as we were at my parents house visiting, Kanye pulls out the disc.. I said Kanye pulls out the disc… well that might not sound peculiar to you, but it does to me. Kanye? …..listening to Maxwell?  At that point it definitely warranted a listen, we even watched the bonus d.v.d.  Let me go on record right now by say ing that this is the best sounding r&b album (notice I didn’t say neo-soul) that I’ve heard in a lonnnnng time.  Let me clarify.  As a songwriter, I usually judge songs by they’re “wow!! I wish I had written that” factor, and with the exception of two or three, I must admit that the song writing is not really knocking me over..  But this album just sounds and feels so damn good.

What is Bobby McFerrin!!

With ten Grammy’s to his credit, this jazz and a cappella vocal performer, vocal improvisor and conductor is the real deal. Yeah, yeah, “Don’t Worry Be happy” and that “Cosby Show” theme was cute, but don’t get it twisted, B Mac is the truth!

What is Notes & Neurons!

Ever wonder how you can hear a song for the first time and half way through the first stanza you find that you can just about complete the melodic phrase.  Well it’s simple ( well, really not that simple, it’s actually kinda deep).  Here in the Western hemisphere our music theory is built on a certain type of scale  (… but i’ll try and keep this as basic as possible) and our brains have become pretty conditioned and recognize the scale in all of the music we here.  Check out this demonstration by Bobby McFerrin that shows the power of the penatonic scale.

Now that was really dope, but if what you’ve seen so far has piqued your interest, watch further and we might find out that the language of music might not be so universal.  The following clips are from the World Science Festival in New York and was filmed on june 12, 2009.  This particular session was titled “Notes & Neurons: In Search of a Common Chorus” as it addresses the questions of “is our response to music hard-wired or culturally determined?”  ”Is the reaction to rhythm and melody universal or influenced by environment?”  as well as illustrate music’s noteworthy interaction with the brain and our emotions.