Don’t be a hard rock…

when you really are a gem… word to L Boogie.

This post really has nothing to do with music, but I guess I can tie it in someway. I heard this song this morning and it inspired me to post. I like to call this a personal blog about my relationship with music–not a music blog since I don’t really post exclusives, just what I’m feeling at the time…

So what I’m feeling. the title of this post. womankind—we need to stop pretending to be hard rocks. Well I guess all arent pretending. I know I joke all the time that I’m a “thug” and I truly am  I product of my environment which means I’ve been exposed to some things, I’ve seen some things, and I know some things. But seriously. I’m a grown woman with degrees and a career that requires me to uphold and adhere to the law. I aint a thug. lol I’m way too girly to be a thug. But I am multi faceted so high heels and mascara isn’t ALL of me–I’ve been known to rock Nikes and Timbs too…well mostly flip flops these days since it hot as hades. anyway…

It’s been three weeks since you’ve been looking for your friend
The one you let hit it and never called you again
‘Member when he told you he was ’bout the Benjamin’s
You act like you ain’t hear him then gave him a little trim
To begin, how you think you really gon’ pretend
Like you wasn’t down then you called him again
Plus when you give it up so easy you ain’t even foolin’ him…

I felt L Boogie because I feel like today men and women are trying too hard to be something that they are not. For instance when some folks act like there is no emotional attachment to sex. Like I know some can do that but its not NORMAL. its supposed to be emotional. Nothing wrong with that. stop being a hard rock–its okay to be a gem! Gems sparkle!  its okay to FEEL. The older I get the more I take ownership for being a feeler. I’m emotional, I’m compassionate, and I express myself freely. Its really not that difficult, well unless it is. This totally goes for men too but thats another topic…

So yesterday I’m reading a book–this is what I do on Sundays since I don’t watch football, btw. Sugar by Bernice McFadden is the book and way the character Pearl describes her future husband Joe made me SWOON. The strong, silent type. A gentleman but still he didn’t ask you things, he told them to you. But not in a demanding way that would make womanfolk roll their eyes and point and curse–just knowing, assertive. Articulate. Dedicated to protecting his woman. I think I said out loud–and was tempted to tweet: “I wish I could’ve lived in that time when men truly personified chivalry, protection and just make you want to trust your lives with them.” Just a random thought.

The second verse is dedicated to the men
More concerned with his rims and his Timbs than his women
Him and his men come in the club like hooligans
Don’t care who they offend popping yang like you got yen
Let’s not pretend, they wanna pack pistol by they waist men
Cristal by the case men, still in they mother’s basement
The pretty face men, claiming that they did a bid men
Need to take care of their three and four kids then

I dont even need to get into this verse because I feel like everybody knows what a problem this is. There is one thing I CANNOT stand it is a man that feels the need to “buy out the bar” or floss in a club. I like to have a good time, I like to drink for free–who doesn’t? But I don’t like flashy dudes. I like STYLISH men, but seriously you don’t have to pretend for me. Be who you are. Ain’t no future in your frontin’.  I really feel some kinda way about men that don’t take care of their children. I think I spoke on that in an old post about that crazy movie Pregnancy Pact that came on earlier this year. So I won’t go into that again.

I know this post is kinda all over the place with random topics and opinions, but anyway just felt like Lauryn was on to something with “Doo Wop (That Thing).”

The major premise of this song is treat people and yourself with dignity, be true to your standards and belief systems. Like something I said last week on the twitter: say what you mean, mean what you say, then execute. Basically I feel like both genders could stand to be a bit NICER to each other. I think thats a good start to building good relationships and establishing respect.

what’s in my head/on my heart…

not gonna do a lot of talking/explaining/breakout down lyrics today but these are a couple songs that are on my heart on this very day.

just a random thought of how I’ve been feeling lately. If there were a such thing as a conscious stream of thought via music/lyrics, this would be it 🙂

Algebra : U do it for me, simply because, he does.

Jill Scott: The Real Thing

Eric Roberson: The Hunger

Lauryn Hill: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill–I’ve had this song on repeat for the past 15 minutes and its ministering to me. every.single.word. AMEN.

just wanted to share today’s soundtrack.

90’s Mix: Throwback Thursday

Throwback Thursday!!! 90s Edition.

So every time I do a throwback post this is what I do: randomly play songs from my iPod–that’s it. The post isn’t planned out or written in advance, I totally do listen to these songs as I write. I guess its like sharing a part of my day with you–when I feel so moved. Sometimes I pick from the automatically populated 90’s Music playlist that  iTunes created; sometimes I just hit next on my entire library–I have that much older music that’s not just from the 90s so that makes it pretty easy. It’s totally random and unless I have a particular artist in mind that day, I just post whatever sounds good that I’m feeling.

so this is what we are rolling with today….

I loved Nicole Wray’s CD! This was my favorite song on there; I swear for me and my hs boyfriend this was “our song”. I did a previous Throwback Thursday post that included another favorite from that cd, “Borrowed Time”. Only thing I dislike about this video is that Mocha’s rap is different than the one on the album version. This CD came out at the height of the Missy/Timbaland reign, and being from VA of course I was all over every single collaboration.

“yes yes y’all to the beat y’all!”

Back then he was truly baby Puffy. LOL All videos looked the same too because this one truly gives me Total’s “Can’t You See” as well!

Usher’s been leaking some pretty wack music lately. which is disappointing because I LOOOOVE me some Usher. Well, 90s Usher. his first two cd’s were favorites, I didn’t really get into 8701 but after so many people whose musical judgment I respect told me it was a banger I revisited it in recent years. And of course the epic Confessions. There is still one song I CANNOT listen to ever again in life on that cd–because it was played out sooooo much. click here if you are curious, but it features two favorites “Throwback” and “Bad Girl”. the former I wrote a post on awhile ago–and the latter of course being one of my theme songs. If  you are a fan of R&B, you can’t go wrong with 14-16 year old Usher, IMO. He’s what– 30 now? I think he’s a yr or so older than me. I’d like to see his career continue to climb but I’m not so sure.

“we used to be number 10, now we’re permanent at 1”

I looooved this song too! I was definitely a Fugees fan and The Score still gets rotation, not heavy in recent times but its timeless. I may have to put that back in my car, hmm. Apparently there has been a resurgence of L  Boogie with a recent performance in New Zealand. I hope she get get it together and bring us some new music–you already know how I feel about her. I kinda hope for a Fugees reunion though. I’m fiending for Lauryn to return to her hip hop roots. Pras, I can take or leave but L & Clef together I think they could still make some good music.

“you only live once and you’re not coming back…so express yourself!”

ok I was a serious SNP fan growing up. Actually I think they are truly the group that cultivated my future love for rap and hip hop. I was really the 8 year old spitting verses and wanting an asymmetric cut like them! I had their music on 45s! 45s yall! if you don’t know what a 45 is…#killyoself. Their music was a bit mature for a child looking back, but it wasn’t really vulgar being that I didn’t REALLY know what they were talking about–but  “Shake Your Thing” I have fond memories of singing and dancing to at Kinder Care. Music shapes lives, y’all. LOL  This song is really old but the lyrics still stand true today: people wanting to be like other people, instead of being themselves–find a way to be unique and express individuality. It’s also a trip how Pepa is now on TV making a fool of herself and while Salt won’t subject herself to the foolishness on camera, she executive produces the show. hmm. Their Hits Remixed CD was an early purchase from Columbia House back in the day and it gets lots of play on my ipod.

to slow it down a bit, some Sisters With Voices.

If you don’t think this song is on point then I guess you must have never been in love. hmph.

Funny my girl Cryssy and I were JUST talking about this song last week. Man! this song was on the “break up” playlist heavy. I know you all had a break up playlist. I think this one kept me going from HS well into college. *whew this song!* I could write a post on this song alone but I really don’t want to go there–I’m in a good place right now…

and lastly an underrated girl group brought to us by Keith Sweat. my FAVORITE song of theirs that I HAD NO IDEA there was a video for: I just love youtube.

This video is very choppy, but Surrender is a banger and I think I will be listening to Kut Klose for the rest of the morning now…

Happy Thursday, thanks for traveling back in time with me…memories.

The world it seems so very small…

’cause nothing even matters…at all…

See I don’t need no alcohol
Your love makes me feel ten feet tall
Without it I’d go through withdrawal
‘Cause nothing even matters at all…

so this song came on and I GOT HELLA SAD! D’angelo (804 stand up) and L-Boogie? shiiiiiiit. I miss these nigs! ugh. Why are they doing this to us…..my man was supposed to be releasing James River this year…so, whats good with that?

I don’t even know about anything with Lauryn, but I’d like to see her make a comeback a la Whitney Houston. I was listening to “Ready or Not” the other day and thinking she was sooooo dope. And The Miseducation was one of my favorites, ever in life.

anyway…here  are a couple bangers from my folk!

Tell Him–this is one of my spiritual secular songs. man these words! lawd I’m about to have church! “…See what we now know is nothing compared, to the love that was shown when our lives were spared, and tell him…tell him I need him, tell him I love him [tell him], and it’ll be alright”

Lady— looking like a Biggie video…love this video because its FAMILIAR to me…I know all the spots this was filmed–the old Westover theatre, Southside Plaza (aka da plaza for us SS folks)…

The Sweetest Thing–my favorite L-Boogie song, I think. LOL. “the sweetest thing I’ve ever known was like the kiss on the collarbone…”

Shit, Damn, Motherfucker–song is just crucial.

Ex-Factor–another crucial song. “loving you is like a battle, and we both end up with scars…” Forgot all about this video! she looked so pretty…I worshipped L in high school, and I thought about growing locs like hers…

Crusin’–great remake. love this.

Killing Me Softly–I know its Fugees, but damn if this didn’t go sooooo hard when it came out. ONE TIME! TWO TIME! I would sing the hell outta this song all loud and just KNEW that I sounded good. I just did the same as I typed this post, lol.  Lord, I miss the 90s like crazy.

Devil’s Pie–Belly is a movie I love to hate. the acting is TURRIBLE, but I love it! you know I effs with Nas and DMX so how could I not? this song of course always makes me think of the movie…

what are some of your faves from Lauryn and D’Angelo not mentioned? I didn’t mention all of my favorites because that wouldve been too long, but I’m curious…that duet is classic though, isn’t it?