Thursday, December 31, 2009

'09 'Til I Dine...

2009 was a wild year--good and bad, smooth and rough. Let's also not forget those countless deaths that have happend, too. That ish was really rough... Anyways, it's about 10:36PM here in Chicago, at my friend's crib hangin', loungin', and coolin' out...just a little get-together with some good old fashioned homecooked Filipino food. Yum! Too bad my parents aren't here. They're actually working, but I wish them a Happy New Year in advance. Thanks!

So, 2009...Hmmm...For me, it's actually been a great year for me, but hit a few bumps along the way, not too serious, but it sure woke me up. But to look back at 2009 in a positive face, lately what resurfaced in my life is my whole new look on things in life and in me, I felt like my faith has come back and help guide me, which I'm quite thankful for and blessed. I also found myself cracking open the Bible and actually reading several books so far and has taught me so much more. I've felt more wiser, more humble, and patient with myself, not also that my faith had come back, but I've grown, matured, and experienced things in my life in the past 12 months. Not also that I've allowed myself more to help myself, but also to help and be the dopest friend to others, regardless. Even if I tell it how it is...I mean, that's how I am. I'm grateful, thankful, and blessed.

In '10, I look forward to so much more in my life and in the lives of others...Let's see what 2010 will bring me and grab for...

b.

To End It All: My Top Albums Of 2009

What way to ring out 2009 with my top albums--some mixtapes and whatnot--that have been on a constant spin throughout this year? Really, though, 2009 was a HUGE year for new music and artists. That's word. Let's see what '10 will bring...I can smell it already... Check...











































b.

10 For '10

  • Keep the Faith
  • No more fast-food (a hard one, but it's worth a shot...)
  • Finding the motivation and determination to workout again...
  • Help out/volunteer more...
  • Positive desires; none of the negatives...
  • Start to discover/explore/experience new things on my own; going further with my life...
  • Up my vinyl game a bit more...
  • Read more...
  • Learn a new instrument(s) (...?)
  • Searching for new employment...
  • ...Status...? (you can guess what this means... Give or take this or "Learn a new instrument(s)"...)
b.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Miles-Armstrong By The Apple Juice Kid

Phew!

With ALL that aside and out of my system, I'm back to more of my senses...In music that is. At it again on the
Okayplayer site today, snagged this for FREE--download it, up! The Apple Juice Kid (alongside with Battalion Armour) comes through with yet another remix project. This time AJK bugs out with...Louis Armstrong, titled Beautiful Warriors 2: Louis Armstrong Remixed. Now, you might remember The Apple Juice Kid from previous productions and another project-remixed--Miles Remixed project--which I posted WAAAAY back in this here blog. I'm too lazy to bring back that URL from that blog post, so I decided to post BOTH the Louis and Miles remix projects together (via Okayplayer), along with the cover art. So, go 'head, get at it and download...It's FREE! Just click the album cover for the DOWNLOAD...



b.

On Tiger...

I just want to get this right out, right now...

Can we just let go, and leave this alone about Tiger!? I mean, seriously...I just found out that TLC has this special on Sunday night about Tiger Woods. The program is called The Secret Life of Tiger Woods. What stemmed from a car accident has really just blown up into this whole scandal, this whole ordeal; I mean, I know this was a huge blow to his profession, his life, reputation, and what-not...his mistakes and ish...but I hate how all these other people are just ratting him out, just shunning him, as if he's just so hated right now. The media is such a frenzy with this, and well, with all the other b.s. I think we're forgetting who the real Tiger is, and all we're focusing on are his mistakes and how bad he is. Bull. Sure, for all of us it's a shock and surprise...I mean, TIGER!? C'mon! REALLY!? NAAAHH! But hey...it happens to ALL of us, regardless who or what we are, right? Why bug out about all this? To anyone, really...

All I gotta say is...leave him be, shut the f*$& up, the media and all you people out there who like this juicy ish gotta be freaking insane...no DAMN life at all! On the real...

Instead, I say...forgive him, God Bless him, pray for him; Tiger's just like you and me you know? He's peoples...like everyone else in this f*$*^@ up, crazy world. That's it. Nothing else...No bullsh#& talkin' and stop the damn GOSSIP!

That would be all...

b.


P.S. Tiger has my support...

Bitter...But Better.

I've been bitter recently...not to myself, but more-so toward others (just a few though) of which I won't reveal any names. The bitterness has been on my mind and tongue, but I've been holding it in, holdin' my tongue, which I believe is the right thing to do...Until now. What am I bitter about you say? Well...simple, really. Just leave me be...and let me do me. Don't be telling me to do something or say something that I won't or don't believe in doing or saying; For me, this is not right. Whatever you do, I will refuse...unless it's something reasonable, logical...something that I see will be good, and make sense. Then we'll talk. But unless it's some other b.s., well, tough. Go find someone else for that ish. You don't like how I say things that matter and care to help you out? Tough. Deal with it...'Cause I care about you. It's how I set an example(s) and be a role-model. I hate to sugar-coat things and others who do that as well. I tell it how it is; Honesty. Get used to me. Oh, and I ain't your babysitter. People like you upset me and I'm sure others are upset because of you people who are like that. Don't tell me how to play, I'll play how I want to play because I know that what and when I play that it's right because I know what's right, how it's right, and when it's right to play. Go at it with your own style of play...Go at it with your own kinda beat; Be original and creative...Don't be bitin', coppin', and frontin' on others...for this is not right. You're FAKE. I'll teach and train...but I won't show my style. Respect me and for sure you'll get the respect and other thangs that you deserve; Be YOU...True, honest, humble, patience, wisdom...and you know, all those other things. Put up or shut-up...Just let me be, and you'll be in good hands =)

Peace.

b.


P.S. Thought I'd post a couple vids courtesy of MissInfo.tv X Okayplayer. The following is from the Okayplayer Holiday Jam. Why I post this up...? Probably has a connection/relation with this post (odd, I know), me, and for the love of Hip-Hop. I ain't rebelling...This just makes me happy and to know that I have this free-form expression, regardless; F@#* the rest...


A Picker-Upper...

Currently reading this book. Half-way into it and I'm already feeling it's effects. I mean, this book is literally speaking to me...like this book is ME--the way I'm seeing life and faith. Not being bias or anything, but I feel like the author and I have some similarities, opinions, and beliefs, give or take a few, but this is a book that really sheds light on what I'm experiencing everyday, even my Christian faith, and life and society in general. So far, I'm really diggin' some the chapters that I've read (up to 10, so far) that are my favorite. I like how the author is just so straight-forward and just talks and writes from his mind, body, and sou; Funny and witty...and all that jazz (no pun intended). For a good read, pick this up...But, really, you don't really gotta take my word for it...

b.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Sandwiches - No Bull. Just Fillers.

Photo: AP

Gyeah. Here we go...Looks like Christmas just came a little early, straight out of the corner from The Roots...with Late Night With Jimmy Fallon; They give you this special treat to enjoy...Sandwiches EP--basically, the sandwiches refer to those special jams in and out of commericals...Those fillers, ya dig? So, here's 22 of 1000 (of what ?uestlove has written) courtesy of ?uesto on Twitter x Okayplayer x It's All The Way Live.

>>>>Click, FREE, to download: Sandwiches EP

Once In A Lifetime
Sizuuuuuuuurpin
Head Slicer
Spain (ft. Chick Corea)
The Juice of Chicago
Baatin
Woman
Choir Fire
Teen Town
Cant Keep Headphones on Head
Red Toe Nail Bashing
Blinded By The Light (No Douche Here)
Caveman for Dennis Quaid
Wan Cook Soup
Someone Is Late To Dentist Appointment
I Get Lifted
Werewolf Barmitzvah
Like This Anna Torv
Breezin (ft. George Benson)
EvenzarahlikesTHISone
The Suits
Usher In That Choir

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

The Return Of Slum Village...

It's been a hot minute since these fellas did there thang...Now there back with Villa Manifesto, digital EP OUT NOW on iTunes... Cop the EP. Don't BOOTLEG SLUM.


1. Starter
2. Nitro featuring Young RJ
3. Day Night
4. Money Right
5. Dope Man
6. Cloud 9 featuring Marsha Ambrosius

Monday, December 14, 2009

An Open House To Myself. (Part IV)

(12.13.09)

Choice # 4 - Coming Clean: The Housecleaning Choice

O penly examine

>>>> and CONFESS my faults to myself, to God, and to someone I trust.

Beattitude #4: "Happy are the pure in heart." (Matthew 5:8)

____________________

I think this is pretty much self-explanatory regarding the fact that you and I have felt or have the impurities of an unpure heart, letting go, guilt, and confessing what we've done wrong--consciously or unconsciously. It's difficult to COME CLEAN to others and yourself. It's also true that we try to rationalize and make excuses. I've done the same...

Out of the things that I have done in the past, or even today, the present, I would always have this overwhelming feeling of GUILT inside. Part of letting go is that you have to REALIZE and NOT RATIONALIZE your guilt.

My guilt has damaged myself and others. It messed up my confidence, relationships, and at times has kept me stuck in the past. The question really is...Do I still have new guilt or leftovers from the past that are still kept in me? Quite honestly, yes.

I haven't really expressed alot of my guilt. Most of it I have, but there's some guilt that I find hard for me to let out. Whether fear or just something that's too personal. I would want to express that guilt, but I always doubt it. Even though I'm happy and my life has changed around, it's the GUILT that still gets me. But I see, with that, as an on-going process to better oneself and to realize, actualize, and analyze what's up. I try everyday to better myself, and the guilt is still something I'm working on and hopefully will get over so this hurt won't be beating me up.

Some say that you can never be too honest. Really, though, you can be too honest and it comes with a price of HURT. But that's the way it is whether you like it or not. Better to be honest than to LIE, right? Lying hurts just alot more than honesty and truth because you are made as a FOOL, and the hurt and pain are instantly greater, whereas honesty and truth, you are realizing the pain firsthand and you start to understand. I am one of those...

Constant lying has brought me nowhere but hurt, guilt, and even trouble to myself and others, making a fool of myself and towards other people. But REALIZING more of GUILT and REALIZING more about MY OWN GUILT has brought me to face guilt, altogether, head-on and letting it all out. I understand the consquences, but at least it's not never. I'm up for it...

"We are only as sick as our secrets" ; "Revealing your feelings is the beginning of healing." (James 5:16)

_________________________

  • M ake time to begin your inventory
  • O pen your hearts and your mind
  • R ely on God's grace
  • A nalyze your past honestly
  • L ist both the good and bad choices and events in your life

My friend,

think of the past in terms

of those memories of events

and accomplishments

which are pleasant,

rewarding and satisfying.

The present?

Well, think of it in terms

of challenges and opportunities,

and the rewards available

for the application of

your talents and energies.

As for the future,

that is a time and place

where every worthy

ambition you possess

is within your grasp.

-Bruce Lee

The past is no more;

the future is not yet.

Nothing exists except

the here and now.

Our grand business is

not to see what lies

dimly at a distance,

but to do what lies

clearly at hand.

b.

The Foreign Exchange Nominated For Grammy!

The Foreign Exchange's Grammy nomination video from The Foreign Exchange on Vimeo.

http://www.nicolaymusic.com/2009/12/the-foreign-exchange-earns-grammy-nomination-for-daykeeper-1.php

http://www.nicolaymusic.com/2009/12/star-news-wilmington-producer-nicolay-relishes-grammy-nomination.php

http://www.nicolaymusic.com/2009/12/the-foreign-exchange-on-their-grammy-nomination.php

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

She's Back...

This was Tweeted numerous times yesterday...I just had to blog about it. Pretty excited...Click below to listen to the FULL track Soldier Of Love. This is most likely her brand new single (who knows, it might be unofficial) in 10 YEARS. I'm really feeling this track. Can't wait for her new LP to drop.

...Oh, and make sure to tell your parents that Sade is back...



http://www.soulculture.co.uk/blogs/new-music/sade-soldier-of-love-listen-here/

Monday, December 7, 2009

An Open House To Myself. (Part III)

Choice 3 from John Baker's book Life's Healing Choices is The Commitment Choice: Letting Go.

C onsciously choose

>>>> to commit all my life and will to Christ's care and control.

Beattitude # 3: "Happy are the meek." (Matthew 3:5)

_______________________

Just as I started to read the first part of this Choice, I was instantly struck because I, too, am the same way. I felt a sense of guilt and shame that I have been on this crazy, bizarre ride to the "Cycle of Despair" (Guilt, Anger, Fear, and Depression). And the thoughts and feelings of commitment and letting go.

To be honest, this has been a difficult choice, but I am happy to note that it is slowly, but gradually diminishing because of this change I have that's making my life better. The change of bettering myself and my faith; To set examples and to be a role-model to others. I say it will be difficult because I believe that there will be certain situations in which it is very hard to let go, and with commitment, it makes it even harder. But my will to let go will eventually come to focus because you have to endure it, then accept it in order to let go. That's why my faith, alongside my maturity, has brought me back in track; To let go and commit to God.

In the past it's been difficult to let go and commit with those two different situations in my life, but I came to my senses and I learned to accept and freely express what I went through; Showing no fear. Letting go, commiting, and not being ashamed with myself to others because it is truth that everyone is not perfect and that everyone has or will be, or had experienced, problems and situations in their own lives.

Reading the 5 things that keep us from making the Third Choice (Letting Go) I am gradually having control over pride, guilt, fead, worry, and doubt. It's hard, but being calm and trusting my faith and myself, it quickly diminishes.

I find myself having to do the right thing and bettering myself as an individual and most importantly being a mature man. No that I am obligated to...not at all. Being in my mid-20's has taught me something and has brought me signs and a new meaning and perspective in life. Looking back at my own self, I look and think back on all the situations I've been and the things I did and I say that I'm glad I'm not the same that I was before; That I'm not like that anymore and I'm glad I did that because I believe you better yourself every single day and that you have to be better than you were before. I can say I AM better and being better than I was before...even yesterday.

Three-deep in the Choices, I've been feeling joy and happiness in my life recently all because of my new look in life and finding myself back in the faith of God. I'm greatful for my friends and blessed to have them besided me. It's been awhile since I have been completely happy in my life...and I know why =)

Moving forward; For the best and for the right reasons...


b.

Friday, December 4, 2009

More L.L.F...

Here's a couple more videos from Lower Life Form via Rappers I Know...Peep...


Lower Life Form - "Jam Session" from Ethos Music Group on Vimeo.

b.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

A Must Have--Even For Those Who Ain't Down On The Real, Real...Tell 'Em...!


b.

Always

I dig.

Muhsinah // "Always" - The Oscillations:Triangle from Rock Slinger Incorporated on Vimeo.

Art Basel 2009

I'm a sucker for art. I love it. Especially these urban artists and their work, I have a crush on. YES. I said CRUSH; Wish I was at Art Basel...

Mac & Retna - Miami Mural: Art Basel

Thiago Rocha Pitta
Youth, 2007
Photograph
100 x 100 cm
by Galleria Millan

Meret Oppenheim
X-Ray, 1964/81
Silber gelatin print
40 x 30 cm
20/20 by Levy Hamburg

Nari Ward
West LiquorsouL, 2009 by Lehmann Maupin

Salon 94
Wangechi Gold #3, 2009
C-print
60 x 40 inches
Edition of 5 by Salon 94 Freemans
Takashi Murakami
Warp, 2009
Acrylic on canvas mounted on board
300 x 234,4 x 5,08 cm
9.10 feet x 7.8 feet x 2 inches
Photo: Kaikai Kiki Studio staff
©2009 Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Courtesy Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin, Paris & Miami

Wayne Gonzales
Waiting Crowd, 2007 - 2008
Acrylic on canvas
127 x 152.4 cm
50 x 60 inches by Stephen Friedman Gallery

Wallace Berman
Untitled #87, c. 1964-76
Single negative photographic image
6 x 6 1/2 inches by Michael Kohn Gallery


http://www.artbasel.com/