Tag: Rest In Peace

African Venus

“African Venus” was created by the sculptor Charles Henri Joseph Cordier in bronze in 1851. The sculpture was created as a companion piece to an earlier work created by Charles Cordier entitled “Said Abdullah of the Mayac, Kingdom of the Darfur”. The model was a young African woman by the name of Seïd Enkess who was a former slave in France. Both busts became popular after France abolished slavery in 1848. Charles Cordier himself was sympathetic to the abolitionist movement.

 

Written by Dianne Washington

Living Large: The 30th Anniversary

There was once an energetic MC from Mount Vernon. He called himself the “overweight lover.” His name was Dwight Myers aka Heavy D. Heavy D formed a group with Glen Parrish aka “G-Whiz”, Troy Dixon aka “Trouble T-Roy”, and the infamous Edward Ferrell aka DJ Eddie F. Together they were Heavy D & The Boyz. They were the first act to be signed to Uptown Records and on October 27th, 1987, they released their debut album “Living Large.” It was definitely a dope album but it wasn’t a classic. The singles “The Overweight Lover’s In The House” and the remix of “Mr. Big Stuff” were the only singles released from the album. This thirteen track had that 80’s new jack sound and sing along hooks and choruses with the block party energy that got things started and jumping. Although this album is personally dope to me, it doesn’t leave a lasting impression like the upcoming Heavy D projects that followed after this one. The production sounds too similar to each other too. Besides the singles, “Dedicated”, “Moneyearnin’ Mount Vernon”, “On The Dance Floor”, and “Overweighter” to me are the best songs on the album. The rest are just fillers. Sounds more like demos to me. For a debut album, it’s most definitely a good start. A good way to get your foot into the door. Come back harder with on the next few albums and with that, Heavy sure did. Reminds me of his appearance on “A Different World” as well. He was definitely living large. Rest in peace to the overweight lover himself.

The Story of UTFO: Dedication To The Educated Rapper

It was a normal day. As usual, I was scrolling down my Facebook news feed until I got a notification from a post in the Tools of War group. It was a shared picture that belonged to Mix MasterIce. He was holding a hand that belonged to The Educated Rapper being hospitalized. I saw all of the comments that were positive and hopeful so I too also was hoping that he will be okay. This morning I woke up to the same thing as usual, go to my Facebook and find out the Educated Rapper has passed away from cancer from a friend who posted it. Absolutely shocked and devastated about the news. Another great loss in hip hop. For those who need a quick educating, UTFO is a hip hop group from the 80’s who was known for their classic hit “Roxanne, Roxanne.” The song was a B-side of their other hit “Hangin’ Out.” UTFO stands for Untouchable Force Organization and consisted of four members. There’s Kangol Kid, the guy who was known for rocking the freshest Kangol hats, even still to this day he does, Doctor Ice, Mix MasterIce and of course, the late great Educated Rapper. Before the group, Kangol Kid and Doctor Ice were both originally known as The Keystone Dancers in Brooklyn and were dancers for another hip hop group, Whodini. UTFO signed with Fred Munao in 1984 for Select Records and the group’s hit “Roxanne, Roxanne” was produced by the R&B group, Full Force who appeared as the bullies in the hip hop classic film “House Party.” Their classic “Roxanne, Roxanne” was the beginning of a mid-1980’s war that had two different Roxanne’s in question. There was The Real Roxanne and then it brought the attention of then 14 year old, Roxanne Shanté from Queensbridge, who was Marley Marl’s protégée at the time and it started what they call the “Roxanne Wars.” UTFO’s song has the most answer records in hip hop history. Roxanne’s answer to the record “Roxanne’s Revenge” made her an instant legend in the game. The song was released in late 1984 and became an instant hit with 250,000 copies sold. After the “Roxanne Wars”, the Educated Rapper didn’t appear on the group’s second album, 1986’s “Skeezer Pleezer” for his own personal reasons, except the song “Pick Up The Pace”, which was featured in the movie Krush Groove. After everything, the guys went their own separate ways to pursue their own thing. They are still very active today with producing, writing, DJ’ing and dancing and The Educated Rapper graduated from college, actually living up to his name. Also, Kangol Kid, along with Shaunda Lumpkin, founded The Mama Luke foundation, which is hip hop’s way of fighting against breast cancer. With just one popular song, UTFO’s legacy in hip hop will still live on and remain forever, as well as The Educated Rapper. Rest In Peace. Much Love!

What A Good Look. Kim Goodlook Seabrook

*ALERT*MEDIA*BLOG
It is said that laughter is good for the soul, so when I was invited to a comedy show to hear a Spoken Word Artist, I thought, hmmm this will be different. I had know idea how different…

The Black National Theatre of Harlem housed What To Do Ent. comedy show hosted by JC Best in conjunction with comedians OC the Bus Driver and Kenny Woo.

The opening act was a Spoken Word artist by the name of Kim Goodlook Seabrook. Seabrook is a Bronx native Spoken Word artist and radio personality. You can find her weekly on one of  New York City’s budding internet radio stations, I AXIS Radio. With her show Keepin’ it 100 with Kim and Della.

As the night got on its way and following her introduction from JC Best, Kim seemed to float out onto the stage, very poised and confident. She immediately surveyed the crowd and attached with the audience. Kim performed three pieces that night, Cocaine, A Woman’s Identity and Got Dam. The three pieces were very different in content but the same in rawness and reality.

The first piece, cocaine, as u would guest was creative writing about the opioid drug. It spoke of how it seems to be your friend in a time of despair however, just like all fairweather friends it let’s you down in the end. The twist and metephores GoodLook used was so vivid, at one time I literally felt chills as she performed. The second piece was dedicated to all woman kind. Kim relayed the message of don’t lose yourself being a wife, a mother an employee or whatever capacity it is you’re in day to day. The message was always remember to keep your identity as a woman first.
Ms.Seabrook did not forget about the men who was in attendance, she delivered a bold piece titled Got Damn, which focused on the struggle of the Black Man. Seabrook spewed so many truths and nuances about being a Black Man in America it received a standing ovation when it was over. This piece touched on nagging baby mothers, police harassment and much more, not to give too much away, this piece touches and goes into the depths of trying to survive in Amerikkka as a Black Man. Got Damn!
Once Kim bowed out from her performance, there were murmurs in the audience of wows and she’s deep along with she was a show all by herself. Sitting in the audience and to hear and see people’s genuine reaction to her tells a truth I couldn’t make up. Kim Goodlook Seabrook is a force to be reckoned with in the spoken word realm. Her sensual voice her command of tje stage and her piuse and cadence is unmatched. She is a humble person who exudes great energy. I recommend everyone see her live performance, you will not be disappointed. Until you get a chance to hear her live, listen to her pieces on SoundCloud…

Written by Sugarhill Sky.
*No funds were given or services bartered for this write up.
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FEELING THE FORCE WITH THE LEGENDARY FORCE M.D.’s

Have you ever had your partner say “Baby Let Me Love U”? Well, there is a group called The Force M.D.’s, which is an American R&B vocal group that was formed in 1981 in Staten Island, New York. Although the group has old school hip hop roots, it is perhaps best known for two tunes that are widely considered 1980s quiet storm classics, “Tender Love” and “Love is a House”. They are considered major forerunners of the new jack swing. The band was originally named The L.D.s, and then became the Force MCs, but ultimately preferred the name Force M.D.’s, which stood for Musical Diversity. Though the group was not quite always as recognizable as other New York R&B acts when it first started, they were among the first R&B vocal groups to intermix doo-wop-affected singing with and sometimes over hip-hop beats. The group was composed of brothers Stevie D., Antoine “T.C.D.” Lundy, and Rodney “Khalil” Lundy, along with their uncle Jessie Lee Daniels. (Later, friends “Trisco” Pearson and Charles “Mercury” Nelson from the Marines Harbor projects in Staten Island, NY joined the group.) They performed at different venues such as BB Kings, and the Eve Ultra lounge until this day their hit songs are still being played on the radio. Three of the group’s members died within five years of each other: Nelson suffered a fatal heart attack in 1995; former collaborator DJ Dr. Rock died suddenly of natural causes in 1996; and in 1998, Antoine Lundy died of Lou Gehrig’s disease. Trisco Pearson died on September 16, 2016, of an undisclosed illness. But that does not stop the group from performing worldwide. The Force M.D.’s are still standing strong after all these years; you can see them at an up coming performance in June at BB Kings in Manhattan. Did I tell there is new music on the way? Check out their new single Don’t Rush now available on iTunes. May the Force be with you.

Written Jewels 78

 

 

SOB’s Jam Master Jay’s Birthday Celebration

Last night was another incredible hip hop moment in my life. Something else for the vault, something to definitely share way in the future when I’m old and grey. LOL! Downtown at the infamous SOB’s was the birthday celebration of Run-D.M.C.‘s very own Jam Master Jay. So many legends under one roof and so much love as well. Dope performances by Naughty by Nature, ONYX, Parish Smith of EPMD, and Mr. Cheeks, which was a surprise to me. I knew it was him on the stage but I needed to overhear someone say his name to verify it. Besides the performances, dope DJ’s like the legendary DJ Hollywood, Grand Wizard Theodore and none other like the “koolest” one himself, Kool DJ Red Alert and I was introduced to ScratchMasta Jazzy G, and JMJ son DJ. Jam Master JSon. That’s all I can remember but he definitely did his thing during sound check. I noticed a lot of people came there with a fresh pair of Adidas on or some kinda merchandise with Run-D.M.C. or Jam Master Jay and not to mention, I met both JMJ’s nephews and cousins, they’re cool too. Looking forward to more nights like this.

A Dedication to Malik “Phife Dawg” Taylor: My Letter to Phife

Dear Phife,

As I write you this letter, I’ll be as strong as I can. There’s no other way for me to express how much love I have for you and the Tribe. It all started 2 years ago. Now, I grew up on hip hop, and that includes you guys Tribe too. Y’all music was always dope to me but I became an overnight fan 2 years ago. I was at home on my laptop, on Tumblr just scrolling through my dashboard, reblogging stuff for my blog and it was a picture of you guys, including Jarobi that popped up. Black and white, standing side by side. I reblogged the pic of y’all and said to myself how long it’s been since I’ve actually heard y’all music. It was that moment that started everything for me. I immediately started listening to y’all albums all the way through for the first time and something in me sparked up this feeling I never got before. I even heard your joint “Ventilation: Da LP” and loved it too. After hearing y’all albums all the way through, I found myself watching y’all music videos, researching and looking y’all up, watching interviews, saving photos on my laptop and then I saw the documentary. It was the best shit I’ve ever seen but at the same time, it hurt me to see you and Tip beefing like that. That I don’t feel comfortable with seeing or hearing about. Besides the drama y’all two had, I found myself a die hard fan overnight. Everything about you guys was absolutely moving and inspiring to me. As a hip hop fan whose a singer, I wish to have the same elements in y’all music in mine someday. Y’all taught me politics, self righteousness, being proud of who I am, all at the same time, never changing who I was to be something I’m not and that’s why I love Tribe so much. Fast forward to July 18th, 2015. This was the day I finally got to meet you guys. I found out on Instagram maybe a day or two before and I was so amped and hyped to meet you guys. That was the same day my little cousin was having a birthday party but I missed it because I stood on that line waiting to meet y’all. I remember wearing a purple bucket hat, white t-shirt with a purple one underneath, my ripped Levi Jeans and Grape 5 Air Jordans. I didn’t have anything on me but $15 so I couldn’t buy any merchandise, which was a blow to me but when I finally met you guys, I was excited, scared, stuck, frozen, amazed, there was a rush in my stomach and my heart was beating super fast. Q-Tip told me he liked my style, I’ll never forget that, Jarobi was kinda like he didn’t want to be there but he was cool too, then I met you and told you how hilarious you are on Instagram and you said to me “Thanks my man.” I shook Ali Shaheed’s hand and you guys signed my poster. After that, I returned back to the Bronx with this smile on my face. It felt like I just went through an enlightenment. I had a totally different feeling from that day. Now this is the part of the letter that’s gonna be really hard for me dawg but I gotta tell you how it affected me. The day you left us, it was the same day as my cousin’s 23rd birthday and three days before my 22nd. It was around 10 at night. Someone posted a link in one of the hip hop groups I’m in on Facebook saying that you past. I was confused and automatically got angry. I was angry because I remember years ago, someone spread a rumor that you already did and you appeared on an interview like “Here I am!” waving with this smile on your face in a joking way like you always do. I saw the link was from DJ Chuck Chillout’s Twitter account so I hit the hashtag “RIP Phife Dawg” and my heart started racing. I only saw but 30 posts and I just brushed it off because I was sure you were still here. I went to sleep and ended up popping back up around 5 in the morning. When I pop up out of my sleep, something isn’t right. I grabbed my phone and saw that I got a text message from a friend of mine and the text said in these exact words, “Hey Clone, did you hear about Phife? He died” this was when I knew it was for real. I went to Instagram and immediately, my whole entire feed was flooded with you. I was stuck, confused, hurt, angry, upset, this wasn’t supposed to happen yo. On the morning of March 23rd, I had a dentist appointment that day. Right before I left my house, I finally cried, I finally broke down yo. Me and you just met 8 months before that, you were so cool and down to earth, I felt like a family member was taken from me. I cried for about an hour thinking about you and the rest of Tribe. I was thinking about life, about hip hop and the state that it’s in, all of these things came to my head because you were no longer with us. The entire day, I just remember everything being so slow. Time had stopped but the world kept going. My head was spinning and I was in a slump. That had to be the longest day of my life. 2 days before my birthday which made it even worse. A month later, there was a memorial for you in St. Albans. I skipped classes just to be there for you, I had to be. Right after my math class I left school, hopped on the train at 149th Street-Grand Concourse and was on my way to your hood. It’s a long ass ride to get out there but it was worth it. I met other fans, including my bro Shenron, Ralph McDaniels was out there, I missed the part where they handed out free shirts with your name on it and it was raining and so cold but it was worth it. I don’t think I could’ve been able to handle myself if I didn’t go. The next morning, this dude I went to high school with saw me in the papers honoring you. It made me feel like I was this poster guy for you, for Tribe. It was my name, my picture, your picture underneath it and it said I was honoring YOU. So much love I was receiving from my hip hop peers. I was a proud fan of you dawg, nah fuck that, I AM a proud fan of you. Now, lately, you guys have been on top of the world again and it’s amazing. We Tribe fans always wanted a new album from y’all and y’all did that for us. It was hard but at the same time exciting to hear your voice again. The album is amazing and “We the People” is fucking amazing too. I read about you and Tip being on good terms throughout he making of the album, I knew you guys were. I was hoping you two were. I love y’all brotherhood, we needed y’all back in hip hop again, we needed to see that, to feel that, to know that. Just last week, I went to the pop up shop. I didn’t get the shirt I originally wanted but it was worth it. I just wish the people who worked at the shop wasn’t so selfish to be the ones wearing all the merchandise and tell us fans there’s no more stuff. That pissed me off yo but I’m happy I got something. I’m gonna wear it forever, as well as my custom made t-shirt that my guy Curtis made for me. Yesterday, we finally celebrated the street naming after you. I missed the part where they finally showed the sign but I had to be there once again for you. So much love and good energy was out there for you. I seen your wife too, she’s so strong and beautiful too. I heard about your mom being there too, she’s also so strong and beautiful too. Jarobi was right in front of me but I was too scared to ask for a picture. I froze up. I went back home mad about that but then I remembered the time I met y’all last year. Yo Phife, this letter is to tell you how much I miss you and love you, how much the fans, your family and hip hop misses you. It don’t have to be your birthday, a Tribe Tuesday, a Tribe album anniversary for me to represent, I’m always representing. People remind me everyday how much I put on for hip hop culture and I think about you automatically. When my time comes when I’m in the game best believe you’ll be honored in the best way possible in my own way. I do it everyday but still. Man, Happy Birthday Phife. I love you and miss you again. Rest in beats King. It’s Tribe 4 ever and it’s always you 4 ever! You on point Phife? You always were!

20 Years Later: The Legacy of 2Pac

It was on September 13th, 1996, when one of hip hop’s very own had passed on. 20 years later, this man’s legacy is still celebrated worldwide through his music, his movies and most importantly his powerful, emotional, strong and revolutionary words and actions. Tupac Amaru Shakur is one of hip hop’s most celebrated artists of all time. His music was not only the truth but he showed sides of himself that was very impactful on fans all over the world. Of course all that revolutionary talk and attitude was put into him by his mother, Afeni Shakur, a woman who was a political activist and a part of the Black Panther Party. The Black Panther Party is a revolutionary black nationalist and social organization that was founded in 1962 and lasted until 1982. Before he was Tupac, he was Lesane Parrish Crooks. The first time people heard Pac on a record was on Digital Underground’s 1991 joint called “Same Song”, from the original movie soundtrack “Nothing But Trouble.” That same year, Pac released his debut album called “2Pacalypse Now.” This album touched heavily on the subject of all the things that were happening here in America. Things like “black on black” crime, teenage pregnancy, racism, and police brutality and one song that talked about one of those subjects was “Brenda Had a Baby.” I never sat down and listened to this album all the way through but I already knew what topics Pac was touching on from reading about the album long time ago. The only Pac album I heard all the way through is “All Eyez On Me”, which was released 20 years ago in February. His next album “Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z…” released in February 1993, spawned the single “I Get Around”, which is one of my all time favorite Pac joints. Of course, any song with a dope beat to me is automatically a good song and it was catchy too. The music video matched with a fun, party vibe with the half naked women by the pool and running backyard and just dancing and having a good time. Another joint from this album “Keep Your Head Up” is another one of my favorites, for the simple fact that Pac said a line in the song that questioned the lack of love for our black women. He rides the beat while making you think when he said “And since we all came from a woman, got our name from a woman and our game from a woman, I wonder why we take from our women, why we rape our women, do we hate our women? I think it’s time to kill for our women, be real to our women.” That line alone is why this joint is one of my favorite Pac joints. To this day, that line is still to be asked because having a conversation with our friends and brothers and cousins, then tend to talk with so much hate and disrespect for black women and it personally pisses me off. People talk about how much they love the real and how real they are themselves but only keeping it REAL ignorant and REAL dumb and stupid. Pac’s next joint “Me Against the World” to me is my favorite album because all three of the singles released are all of my favorite Pac joints as well and if they’re all my favorites then I know for sure that the album is amazing. I need to have a Pac day and just vibe to his shit all day. “All Eyez On Me” has K-Ci and Jojo on the hook to “How Do U Want?”, and that dope ass remixed version to “California Love” featuring Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman, that’s Mr. Computer Love right there. The song wouldn’t be the same without him on it. “The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory” aka “Makaveli” had “Hail Mary and “R U Still Down? (Remember Me)” had “Do For Love” featuring Eric Williams from BLACKstreet, who was a new member at the time. Man, Pac had joints for days that I rocked with heavy but I still have to find some time to go through his entire discography. To me, Pac goes into the same box as KRS-One, Public Enemy, and the X-Clan. They were all on that political/Black Power tip that we need more of in today’s hip hop. Kendrick Lamar could also go into that box, as well as Lupe Fiasco, Mos Def and Talib Kweli aka Black Star, nothing like conscious rap to make you nod your head, think, cry, get angry as you rap along to those deep records and it made you feel proud to be Black too, made you feel unapologetic about being Black. Of course hip hop needs a balance but it’s a little too out of balance nowadays and Pac would be perfect in these days of the Black Lives Matter movement. Let’s put David Banner in that box too. 20 years later, it’s no secret how impactful Pac is to hip hop and on people all over the world. His honesty and empowering but sharp words made people both love him and hate him at the same time. He wasn’t the lyrical and flow kinda dude, he was emotional and powerful, unapologetic and honest. I almost forgot to mention his acting career when he appeared in “Gridlock’d”, “Above the Rim” and one of my all time favorites “Juice” alongside Omar Epps as “Bishop.” Bishop had that same attitude Pac had in his music except Bishop got outta hand with the power of the “juice.” There’s no telling what could happen if Pac was still here today. I would’ve loved for him to be here today. I definitely see him in Kendrick Lamar. Rest in peace Pac. We still riding with you and keeping you in our spirits after 20 years.

Eazy Duz It: Happy Birthday Eazy-E

When it comes to West Coast hip hop, there’s Snoop Dogg, The Game, DJ Quik, Yo Yo, and of course Niggaz With Attitude aka NWA but without NWA, we wouldn’t know about Dr. Dre, Ice Cube and the late Eazy-E. Eric Wright aka Eazy-E was an original member of the hip hop group coming all the way from Compton. A group whose notorious for putting gangsta rap and Compton on the map and they’re also known for the famous line “Straight Outta Compton”, which is the same name of their debut album in 1988. The album only released three singles including the album title, “Gangsta, Gangsta” and “Express Yourself”, which is one of my favorites. Eazy-E also released his solo debut the same year called “Eazy-Duz-It.” All three singles released from his debut album all had “Eazy” in it. “Eazy-Duz-It”, “Eazy-er Said Than Dunn” and “We Want Eazy”, now I never sat down and listened to his album from beginning to end but Eazy’s rhymes were very simple. He wasn’t super lyrical and he lacked flow but he was original and he had that West Coast “laid back witta joint in the whip” attitude over Dr. Dre’s funky but spooky and hard kinda production that innovated that gangsta rap sound. It’s the same sound as “The Chronic” and Snoop Dogg’s 1993 debut “Doggystyle.” My personal favorite Eazy-E joint is “Eazy-er Said Than Dunn” because of the beat and to me personally, that’s his hardest joint. I run that one more than the others that I know. Back in the 90’s HIV/AIDS was a serious epidemic that had America worried and sadly Eazy was a victim of the disease. On March 26th, 1995, Eazy-E lost his battle with AIDS. It was one of hip hop’s most shocking news and to this day, HIV/AIDS is something that’s still relevant. Sex is a whole other subject and it’s something that’s a part of the human life but it is something that shouldn’t be taken so lightly. It’s the sensation and feeling that can distract people from using a condom to help protect them from pregnancies and having babies or even worse, catching a deadly disease. People can say they’ll protect themselves and end up not doing it just because but it’s “Eazy-er Said Than Dunn.” Also, contracting HIV/AIDS can also be from sharing needles as well, let’s not forget. For those that’s reading this, please stay safe and be safe. It’s the best way to be. Happy birthday and rest in peace Eazy-E. Peace and love.

The King of Pop: Happy Birthday Michael Jackson

They call him the King of Pop, they call him the greatest entertainer to ever walk the planet earth, he touched hearts all over the world, he made women faint at his concerts, he has a huge catalog of music that goes back to the 70’s and his name is Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson is an iconic artist that inspires a whole lot or artists that exist today, not just in singing and dancing but entertaining period. Every Black household, cookout, birthday party, wedding, has Michael Jackson’s music, whether it’s “Thriller”, “Off the Wall”, “Dangerous” or even music from The Jacksons like their “Destiny” or “Triumph” albums. When you’re listening to a Jacksons album or song or a Michael Jackson album or song, you can’t help but to mimic Michael’s mannerisms and dance moves, especially the classic Moonwalk dance that he premiered on Motown 25 while performing his smash hit “Billie Jean” in 1983. Let’s not forget the classic bio pic movie about the Jacksons starring Angela Bassett, playing Michael’s mother, Katherine, in 1992. Angela, as usual, does an amazing job playing that role. Growing up, my mom would play The Jacksons while she cleaned up around the house, their music was from the 70’s and 80’s and here I was, a 2 year old running around singing these songs. Til this day, their music is still amazing to me and I always loved their harmonies and how instrumental it was. “Destiny” is my personal favorite Jacksons album but my all time favorite Michael Jackson song is “I Can’t Help It” from his 1979 album “Off the Wall.” Also, how incredibly dope Michael Jackson music videos were? Off the chain yo! I personally didn’t care for the extra long concepts and short films and stuff, that was annoying to me, except “Thriller” but when the music finally comes on Michael is doing his thing. Another magical thing about Michael were his live performances. His live performances were just as dope as the music videos. We didn’t know what to expect so you couldn’t miss a Michael Jackson performance. Now music, we would be here for days talking about his catalog. “Off the Wall” was very disco-ish but a classic, “Thriller” was more on the pop side, the early MTV days when they weren’t playing music videos from Black artists and I believe “Billie Jean” was the first music video played on MTV by a black artist. “Bad”, Mike had a new image, people found out he had a skin disease called vitiligo. It’s when the skin loses it’s original skin color but in blotches all over the body. Michael was still loved though, he had the same spark and magic. Then there was the 90’s and there was “Dangerous”, which is my favorite Michael Jackson era. That “Remember the Time” video is my all time favorite Michael Jackson music video. I loved the whole Egyptian ruler theme where Eddie Murphy and beautiful model Iman were the king and queen and Magic Johnson was one of the servants. That choreography was bananas yo! I try to learn that whole dance til this day. LMAO! Then we have the “HIStory” Michael. This was when Michael became more political and was speaking about the injustices and his unfair treatment in the world by the government and the media. “Scream” with his sister Janet is too legendary. That’s another favorite Michael Jackson video of mine. Me and my sister always acted like we were in that video, jumping on the furniture, dancing everywhere, we pretended to have an audience and everything, that’s the Michael Jackson effect right there. “HIStory” is my favorite Michael Jackson album because the songs were powerful, unapologetic, strong, emotional and raw all at the same time. Michael didn’t give a fuck! That’s why they banned the “Scream” video back then. Songs like “Tabloid Junkie”, “D.S.”, “Earth Song”, “Money”, “Stranger In Moscow” and the best song to me on the album is “They Don’t Care About Us.” These songs were the answers to everything. Michael was giving it to the people raw and uncut and of course there was the remix album in 1997 called “Blood On the Dance Floor: HIStory In the Mix.” Me and my sister ran that CD to the death! Those remixes had a flavor of hip hop, R&B, pop and dance and the entire thing was banging from beginning to end but after that, nobody heard another album from Michael until 2001’s “Invincible.” To me that was his last REAL album because the posthumous music wasn’t all that. They should’ve just left it at “Invincible.” I remember when “You Rock My World” came out. They ran that video to death on MTV. Chris Tucker foolish ass was his hilarious self as usual in the video and of course in classic Michael Jackson fashion, it was a short film and lots of dancing all over a woman he was chasing, just like “The Way You Make Me Feel.” Let’s not forget about the remix featuring Jay-Z. When you live in the hood where people are selling bootleg CD’s off the street, you come across some underground dope shit and I loved that remix. I personally liked the remix better. That was a street joint only found on mixed CD’s provided by DJ’s. Songs like “Butterfliez”, “Cry”, “Heaven Can Wait”, “Break of Dawn”, “The Lost Children” and “Whatever Happens”, this was another dope Michael Jackson album but it’s underrated to me, people didn’t appreciate this joint. It’s been seven years since Michael passed and we all still feel the pain of his loss. It’s like a cut trying to heal but it’s healing incorrectly. It gets re opened on the day of his death and his birthday but we all love Michael very much. He’s moonwalking and singing in a new and better place. Happy Birthday and rest in peace King. We love you and miss you. Hee Hee!