Category Archives: Black Love
New Song Smell- Jay-Z Feat. B.I.C.- Glory
That’s right, your eyes do not decieve you.
Blue Ivy Carter is featured with her father Jay-Z crying in tune.
This, I blame on The Beyonce
Forget about the rumors about how much they paid Lenox Hill.
Forget about the “fregnancy” (fake pregnancy, that is) rumors.
Forget, well, this.
Listen to Jay-Z Feat. B.I.C.- Glory here
You heard correctly, Jay said they had a miscarriage before. Good Grief.
Truth be told, It’s a beautiful song. If only more men would take this stance…
Bey-Z, YOU’VE DONE IT AGAIN.
Love,
*Ms. Officer
Where The Hell Did Time Go Wednesdays- Sounds Of Blackness
There’s nothing much I can say that this video already doesn’t.
Everything here is awesome.
- The shaved part and mullets hair,
- Cosby sweaters and ”Members Only” coats
- Kwanzaa, Black Santa
- Their voices
Also, I feel like I should be chewing peach cobbler while watching this.
Although I am not in the holiday spirit this year, [Here is why] Soul Holidays comes close. It easily brings back fuzzy memories of these times when I was smaller, and everything else looked so…promising.
Nonetheless, I hope all of you Black people reminisced as I did.
At any rate,
Where are you actual Sounds Of Blackness? Where? AND HOW MANY OF YOU ARE THERE REALLY
Love,
*Ms. Officer
New Vid: Luke James- I Want You
The title tells me I like the direction this is going in. #SESSY
@:05 Ok, so he looks 13 here. Now I feel weird about saying it’s “Sessy”.
@ :27 Is this a regular rotary phone, or a hipster rotary phone that connects to the internets?
@:44 HIT THAT NOTE LIKE PRINCE TAUGHT YOU
@ 1:18 Are you old enough to have said “One Night Stands” ?
@ 2:12 You guys have a leak.
@ 2:32 NO LONGER UPSET ABOUT SAID LEAK
@ 2:34 Those are not the muscles of the underaged. Vamoose barely legal guilt.
@ 2:45 She should run to him, if he’s going to sing that high. Her next move should be to find out if he can make her hit that note. #SEEWHATIDIDTHERE
@ 3:29 Confirmation that he really is singing, that vein on the side of his head SAYS SO.
This live Ken doll has a beautiful voice. Luke’s work first caught my attention as one half of “Luke and Q”, who, I beleieve, were Tank proteges. Glad that once he left the group, he decided to keep on singing.
Luke James’ pre-album, #Luke will be available 12/22.
With The Beyonce on his chest side, something tells me he will be alright.
Love,
Ms. Officer
Track-By-Track: Robin Thicke- “Love After War”
“Track-By-Track” is just a better way of saying “Album Review”. DOWN WITH TRITE CLICHES.
Love After War is Robin’s 5th studio album.
His last, Sex Therapy hyponotized and held me in it’s grips for quite some time. It was at that point that I decided if ever I were to sleep with a celebrity couple, it would be Robin Thicke & Paula Patton loved Robin Thicke.
I needed to be weaned off of Sex Therapy, and it’s clear his mission was to do the same with Love After War:
1. An Angel On Each Arm- Is actually about his wife Paula Patton & his son, Julian, which is beautiful. He also shouts “LET’S GET IT STARTED!” which is cool because this is the 1st song on the album #SEEWHATIDIDTHERE
2. I’m An Animal- If he’s singing about what I think he’s singing about…this’ll be a fun 4 minutes and 5 seconds.
3. Never Give Up- Much of this album is inspirational– not to mention his actual voice, which is teeming with emotion. You can actually visualize what he’s saying here. Feels like it’s simuletaneously rainy & sunny.
4. The New Generation- Easily the best song on this entire album, AND one of the best songs released this year. Re-read that. Thicke delivers. If you’ve never heard this before, follow these steps:
a. Turn every speaker, Dre Beat, or iPhone headphone up to it’s highest
b. Worry about your hearing at a later date and time
c. Find the nearest boss desk to disrespect.
Robin told me he was inspired by the “Occupy Wall Street” movements and simply let off in the studio here. MY GOODNESS. It’s hard to move on from this song because it sparks such emotion. Best of all– when you think it’s over, it really isn’t.
5. Love After War- The title track/lead single does excatly what it’s supposed to do. You already know how I feel about the video:
Watch New Vid: Robin Thicke- Love After War here
This song is worth loving.
6. All Tied Up- It begins like Teena Marie’s Potuguese Love. But it’s not. This is exactly what you think it’s about. AND IT’S SEXY TIME.
7. Pretty Lil’ Heart Feat. Lil’ Wayne- Weezy is the standalone feature on this entire thing. Everything about this is right. ”TELL ME ‘CUZ YOU KNOW I NEED THAT ‘PUMP PUMP’ EVERYDAY.” MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.
8. Mission- Oh dear goodness. I am about to sleep with the nearest object, which is unfortunately (fortunately?) is this computer. Fitting that my favorite song here is the sessiest? MISSION MOST CERTAINLY ACCOMPLISHED.
9. Tears On My Tuxedo- If you don’t pay much attention to the lyrics, you can transition into Boring smoothly without breaking your “mood”.
10. Boring- Didn’t get the content from the title, but he takes Boring in a pleasant direction. You know what? This, too, could maintain the “mood”. The stretch extends from 6-10.
11. Lovely Lady- Feels like I should be at a cocktail party in a tuxedo, holding a tray with a monkey. But the monkey’s not on the tray.
12. Dangerous- Gentlemen, this is my behavior.
13. Full Time Believer- I’m back at that cocktail party, except minus the tuxedo and tray. Now I’m in a glittery gown walking through the crowd at a normal pace, yet everyone else sees me in slow-mo. Monkey is still there.
14. I Don’t Know How It Feels To Be U- Something tells me this, too, is for his wife. There is a nagging feeling race may play a factor. Either way, beautifully written.
15. Cloud 9 – It’s a lazy Sunday. There is a lake nearby, and most importantly, no NYC noise. Also, images or chubby black men in round glasses come to mind when I think of Jazz. Does this happen to anybody else?
16. The Lil’ Things- Not crazy about this one. The lyrics are really good, but I can’t get into the music. Still, it’s nice.
Well played Robin, well played.
17. What Would I Be- Love the way this sounds. Everything about What Would I Be (especially the way its written) lifts me you up, twirls me you around, then sets me you back down gently. Just like a meaninful song should.
Love After War is amazing. This is everything you wanted, expected, and needed from Thicke, without it being redundant or stale. Could have consisted of 14 tracks and still been fun. Definitely appreciated the ride. PUN INTENDED.
In sum, this album invokes 3 feelings:
1. Begin actual revolution ::readies kit:: complete with street marches, picket signs, dashikis and such
2. Grab the Sunday Times, a mimosa, and sit in bay window sunshine and be jazzy. JAZZY, NOT HIPSTER
3. Well…you know.
Love,
*Ms. Officer
New Vid: Robin Thicke- Love After War x Pretty Lil’ Heart Feat. Lil’ Wayne
Finally Thicke has returned w/ a new album. AND WHEN I GET IT HOME #SEEWHATIDIDTHERE
@ :01 Ooh big letters, tres Euro
@ :03 WOW I WAS RIGHT
@ :33 Scat.
@ :43 Love these two.
@ :56 Good grief Paula Patton is beautiful. Even in that wig. BUT IT WON’T LOOK THE SAME ON YOU NYC BIRDS. #BETTERNOTDOIT
@ 1:11 This is loveable
@ 1:16 I actually just finished doing that
@ 1:32 I sniff curtains too, Paula BUT I AM NOT ASHAMED
@ 2:07 Don’t believe we’ve ever seen a topless Robin Thicke. Admittedly, a little bird-chestier than expected.
@ 3:18 I like where this is going
@ 3:42 Just beautiful.
@ 3:51 Wait for it…
@ 4:15 Oh. thought something else was going to happen.
Amazing song, great vid. There’s a freshness to it that’s very much lacking in today’s music. [Insert young whipper snapper reference here].
But that is not all, world. I am also imprinting upon you Robin’s 2nd single, Pretty Lil’ Heart Featuring Lil’ Teeny Weezy F. Baby.
Download Robin Thicke- Pretty Lil’ Heart Feat. Lil Wayne here
Robin has a marvelous voice. Yet I wasn’t completely sold on him until Sex Therapy. It got to the point whee I needed to be weaned off of that album because I would not (could not?) leave it alone. Something tells me Love After War will have the same effect.
Easy Bart. Love After War is out December 6th.
Love,
*Ms. Officer
Missed Connections-Ism
Nation, it’s been exactly two weeks since I laid eyes the most beautiful actual man I HAVE EVAR SEEN. EVAR.
One of the most startling things about this encounter, was that it never really was.
Or was it?
Was Fuzzy Wuzzy Fuzzy?
I digress. I was waiting for the 2 at Church Avenue in Brooklyn,
when I looked to my right (actual view) & I immediately locked eyes [Insert comment about cliche here] with the only person I saw in that sh*ttily crowded station.
Sexy Mc Sex-Sex was 6’3-6’4, (Men that tall automatically make me want to have intercourse) late 20′s/(very) early 30′s, Not skinny, not fat, juuust right. Fit, blue eyes, perfectly toussled blonde hair.
Sexy Mc Sex-Sex was accompanied by an older gentleman, small amounts of gray hair salted in between is mostly pepper strands. He somewhat looked like my dreamguy but not really, leading me to believe this was his father uncle. The man also had a pot belly. Not like a big pot, but like a little one you’d use to boil water. Or porridge.
The older man was holding a map of NYC. Which leads me to believe at least 1 of the two was visiting.
Let’s be clear: Church Ave. is nowhere near Downtown Brooklyn, Park Slope, Fort Greene, or any other heavily gentrified tourist-y area. Instead, it’s like getting off at Port-Au-Prince. This gives me small hope that Mr. Flawless lives has some sort of business in the neighborhood.
Which leads me to my next point.
Craigslist is typically a place where people go to die, or at the very least, find out who (else) wants to touch their penis for the night. This all occurs anonymously, until, of course Cookies & Chris Hansen track you back. The Chester Child Molester site interface does not help the site’s cause or credibility.
You may think I’m being hard on the cyber savage breeding ground, but that’s only because I had a terrible experience with an apartment there a couple of years ago.
That said, it’s only natural I take to Craigslist to see if I’d snagged a “Missed Connection”.
Naturally this would present the following dichotomy:
A. Sh*t, this dude is a creep, because he knew about this torrid place
[Aside: Might I digress that I found out about "Missed Connections" is a recent issue of Cosmo Magaizne. I hold a subscription]
B. OMG, he. Is. Like, SO THOUGHTFUL, HE WANTED ME BACK
After we reckless eyeballed each other recklessly on the platform, we did the same going onto the train. He came up right behind me, the older gentleman forcing his way ahead, but Sexy Mc Sex-Sex, hung back so I could board first. LIKE A LADY SHOULD. Here we looked directly into one another’s faces. I semi smiled. At least I think I did.
DEAR GOODNESS WHY DID I NOT SAY ANYTHING
I sit, they sit. Realizing I cannot continue my eyeballing, I pretend to need the subway map to reclaim my optimal view. In 15 minutes I got off, they stayed on. Haven’t seen ‘em since.
For some reason I’ve tossed and turned all of this week over it, and have been checking that wretched site for a tiny sliver that I might redeem myself. Get that future argument where I yell at him for sneaking onions into my omlette. Or argue that LeBron’s hairline will be back before this NBA season.
I’d hoped “Missed Connections” could be my ticket to sexcellence, but, to no avail. At least not yet. I’ll consider this a personal ABP.
For some reason I’ve tossed and turned all of this week over it. So on the off chance that any of you will know who this is, MAKE HIM SEEN.
I look forward to our Jew-froed children.
Love,
*Ms. Officer
New Vid: The Beyonce Feat. Kanye West & J. Cole- Party
You will never escape The Beyonce. Sit down & succumb. That said, she just earned herself her own category on this site. (See tags).
Good grief, This Song GOES.
Easily the type of song where you shuffle drunk side to side & yell the hook as loud as your (top shelf) liquor tinged lungs will allow.
@ :03 Solange?
@ :05 This could get dangerous. OR SEXY
@ :06 #ZESTTEST Jail workout, or BFF workout?
@ :09 THE BEYONCE IN A (JERSEY) TRAILOR PARK IS HARD TO BELIEVE #YOUNEEDMOREPEOPLE
@ :18 Re Introducing The Beyonce’s side boob
@ :20 Hay you! A Ginger lurks behind you! LOOKOUT
@ :24 She really seizes any opportunity to dress like her name used to sounds. WHO ARE YOU REALLY
@ :26 Glad I didn’t actually see her pick that up from the ground.
@ :34 Ok we’ve seen this before
@ :44 Ashanti?
@ :51 There’s The Other sibling
@ 1:02 I can appreciate “The Bogle” when it reveals itself
@ 1:17 Ok, so, THE BLONDE GUY
@ 1:23 AND THE ALBINO
@ 1:25 You, sir, ARE ABOUT TO BODYROLL
@ 1:44 That’s cool, I wear fur in the pool too.
@ 1:45 I am a STAUNCH ADVOCATE
@ 1:53 How many bathingsuits can one wear in under 4 minutes?
@ 1:59 ALMOST THERE
@ 2:11 Big man, tiny car
@ 2:16 Ok, so, you can tell he wasn’t there at the same time. THIS DIGITAL LAYERING IS DANGEROUS
@ 2:40 Who doesn’t love a good feather fight?
@ 2:54 And silly string?
@ 3:03 As gorgeous as The Beyonce is, I’ve always thought Kelly was prettier. [DO NOT INSERT LIGHT SKINNED/DARK SKINNED ANYTHING HERE]
@ 3:06 WE GET IT, THE BEYONCE. YOU’RE TEAM NIP SLIP
@ 3:38 How cute
This was fun. Felt like I was at a 3 minute party. MINUS ANDRE 3000. Why couldn’t his & J.Cole’s verse co-exist in the vid? #GIVEDRESHINE
Love,
*Ms. Officer
New Vid: The Beyonce- Countdown
She’s pregnant. She’s dancing. And most importantly,
She. Ain’t. You.
@ :01 I don’t expect this to be any different from any other
- The Beyonce Video
-Destiny’s Chile Video
-Any video featuring The Beyonce
In that it is all about her, all the time. LEST YOU FORGET
@ :06 “Oh Hai, welcome to American Apparel. What was that? Were you looking for the women’s black turtleneck? Extra Small? I’m sorry, LIL’ WAYNE BOUGHT THEM ALL“
@ :20 New from Radio Shack, The Beyonce Clock.
@ :25 Soooooo, no one else thinks she’s @ least a tad bit insane
@ :45
@ 1:22 Certain this little pink act will spawn numerous youtube parodies of large women in these tiny button ups.
@ 1:49 Drumline
@ 1:55 Not that this makes a difference in the grand scheme of, like, the world, -BUT- right side, purple shirt, Thai wig. Man, Woman, or Strong Features?
Cast your vote.
@ 2:05 Must. Buy. Lavender. Shoes. Before. Men. Buy. All. Our. Sizes.
@ 2:19 “Dutty Wine” revival
@ 2:32 Alleged plagarizm.
@ 2:33 Me. and my Jay. And My Jay-Z riding. All up in that Jay-Z with me right beside Jay-Z
@3:06 The Beyonce gives a nod to The Diana (Rawse)
@ 3:26 Don’t recall The Beyonce’s boobs EVER being that big. Note to self: GET PREGNANT
@ 3:31 And just in case you forgot how beautiful The Beyonce was in the last nanosecond, a not-so-subtle reminder.
Don’t hate it, Don’t love it. Although, I’m certain I’ll have a more difinitve outlook on this after the video has been drilled into my head via MTV, overly aggressive advertisements, and radio spins. Naturally.
Plagarism, Smlagarism.
If The Beyonce doesn’t do it before after you, IT DOES NOT EXIST.
New Edition will find this out shortly, seeing as how the preview to “Love on Top” IS ALREADY OUT.
Love,
*Ms. Officer
New Vid: The Beyonce- 1+1
Don’t you ever forget. It is all about The Beyonce. And she’ll remind you every time.
@ :24 She’s wet. Still looks great. Who else’s fake hair can do that?
@ :31
@ :37 Me neither. Failed math. In college.
@ :46 Don’t get carried away here guys (& some gals). The Beyonce’s wearing some sort of tank top.
@1:02 Is it sheer? LET IT HANG
@ 1:07 Did Jay-Z approve this? It’s to be expected of Rihanna, but HE’S GOT GOONS
@ 1:27 
@ 1:41 This, ladies & gentlemen, is The Beyonce Experience.
@ 1:44 “REALIZE HOW MAJESTIC I AM.”
@1:47 “I’LL STAY QUIET WHILE YOU DO SO”
@ 2:07 2 virtual The Beyonces are better than 1 Solange.
@ 2:29 Any excuse to use this is worth taking
Relax, I know she’s not being that extreme.
@ 2:41 Ok, just so we’re clear, not Jigga’s arms.
@ 3:05 I don’t feel like I need a boob job now?
@ 3:12 “If, by now, you’re somehow unaware of how hot I am, allow me to demonstrate by dragging this ice all over me.”
@3:38 Smoking
@ 3:42 Bondage
@ 3:46 Bathtub
@ 3:57 Heat
@ 4:02 Cool
This is shaping up to be a wild night in the life of The Beyonce.
Like every other Destiny’s Child vid of her, there’s nothing else to focus on. The song will have to grow on me, mainstream media will make sure it does.
Love,
*Ms. Officer
Ms. Officer and The Jon B. Interview
It’s been a while since I’ve published anything here, and with good reason. I wanted my 1st post back to be special, and something you requested.
On a June afternoon, I hurry down to Herbert Von King Park to ensure I’m on time for my interview with Jon B. Hurry may or may not be an understatement, the blocks in Bed-Stuy have not yet all been gentrified. This is that section.
Jon headlined the show, with Olivia as his opener as part of the Summerstage concert series. Why they picked this venue is beyond me. Was Vanderveer Park overbooked?
Although I’d previously met Jon B. at his album release party for Helpless Romantic, I’d never actually seen him perform. He is an amazing talent who hasn’t had the greatest promotion behind him over the years. However– his fan base is extremely loyal.
Anyone who has ever been to Von King knows it’s recreation center resembles the 2nd floor of a Public School.
If you manage to not be distracted by:
- the Negro yelling in the background,
- my humidity fried hair
-the seizure my camera friend appears to be having
- the setting
…this shaped up to be a very good interview.
@ :14 Talks about intimidation from Ryan Leslie
@ :54 Future collaborations
@ 1:45 Working w/ 2Pac, Nas, Jay-Z, & other Hip-Hop Legends
@ 2:14 “Lame White People Who Don’t Understand”
@ 3:27 Getting credit for Robin Thicke & Justin Timberlake’s careers
@ 4:36 “Are you financially well off?”
@ 5:10 Comfortable Swagg album release date: 11/11/11
@ 6:10 Rumors of Jon & LeToya Luckett
And then he gives me a drop for MsOfficer.com…which you see me ask for.
Thanks to his Jon’s wife Danette for being so gracious, manager Jamal & Slam from YKIGS.
Here’s his new one with DJ Quik, “Real Women”. PREACH.
More to come, more to come.
Love,
*Ms. Officer
BHM: Where The Hell Did Time Go Wednesdays- Bob Marley
This is an offering I wrote for author extraordinaire Jeff Pearlman earlier this month. He featured it on his blog, read + comment here. On the last “Where The Hell Did Time Go Wednesday” of Black History Month, I decided it was appropriate to revisit.
On a Flatbush block in Brooklyn, in a building that commands fresh hedges and pansies every Spring, I was 9 when my mother & I lived on the 5th floor. Weekend mornings announced themselves in the form of a Bob Marley baseline, The Wailers on the chorus. Sunbeams pierced the blinds and made their way through the makeshift living room greenhouse. In the Summer, these same beams shared roids with Clemens.
My mother hardly found these days as enchanting. Instead it was “the fat boy upstairs, his [Insert 5-letter expletive here] girlfriend, and their music again.” Pretty pansies, crappy soundproofing. It never bothered me so much, I almost looked forward to the selection he’d play. Maybe it’s different because an adult’s head can take less aggravation than that of a child’s.
Funny, that exchange of pulsating speakers and red broom scuff marks on the ceiling still remind me of weekend mornings with my mom. Bacon was always the co-star.
Marley would re-introduce himself in private school and college as tapestry on the walls of blonde boys. Eyebrows and hairlines met when they’d learned this (half) Jamaican did not smoke. Marley became the international symbol for Mari-joo-wana. Had this been the most significant memory of a man who introduced reggae, the pulse of a tiny sun-drenched isle to the entire world, and became it’s 1st international pop star? (Attention Snow, your thanks & apologies to the Marley family are in order) Had this been all they remembered of the revolutionary from St. Ann, JA, at a time where poverty & injustice were only to be seen & endured?
No.
Norman Manley.
Robert Nesta Marley.
My Father.
Clifton Officer is “one of those things unlike the other”, the improbable mention among these visionaries.
Currently the proudest Jamaican on Earth, I was made to believe the the Sun rose, set, and was created on the banks of Ocho Rios.
“Dem kall ‘im Robert Nesta Marley. Di won di baddest ting fi evar come from Jamaica. Nuh tru?”
One never dissents from such vigor.
“Jamaica ‘ave di best music, di best food, di most beautiful ‘oman … youh never did see anyting suh. Pass mi Red Stripe.”
I nod and smile, he is talking to 6-year old me.
Buried underneath worries of a cheerleader-less Super Bowl & Sarah Palin’s incompetence Reagan’s 100th speeches lies Black History Month, and a birthday that would have been Marley’s 66th. A section of Brooklyn’s Church Ave. (where it meets Nostrand and stretches to 98th st.) was re-named “Bob Marley Boulevard” in 2006. His music resounds here, and still remains relevant today:
- According to iTunes Reggae, he’s on top of the charts in 19 countries, including Germany, Australia, France, Spain, Greece, Iceland & Switzerland. (Yes, the U.S. is included.)
- Bob Marley & The Wailers’ Legend has sold 25 million worldwide, (13.5 in the U.S.) it’s. the biggest selling Reggae album in history.
- According to Billboard, this is the 962nd week Legend has charted, the 2nd longest ever. (Pink Flloyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon is #1 at 990.)
- Last year a CNN poll of Global icons noted Marley as one of the Top 5.
Certainly all of this is no match to his actual contributions, just accolades that accompany the terriotry. You would need Oprah’s OWN, MTV, BET, VH1Soul, TV1 & The History Channel for an entire week to showcase this man’s influence, but hopefully everyone can identify their own Marley memories that elicit smiles. Or Tye Dye.
Love,
*Ms. Officer
BHM: Where The Hell Did Time Go Wednesdays- Anita Baker
Never in all my life have I heard a voice like this.
On a sunny Sunday, I was 3 when my mother handed me my very 1st cassette tape. Assembled by her coworker, the white label simply read “Anita Baker”.
Assuming my usual position, perched between the TV & radio, she popped it in.
I never looked back.
This was the perfect addition to “Sunday Morning Classics with Hal Jackson on W-B-L-S”. Or at least to their commercial breaks.
This is probably why I love to refer to Anita Baker as “The Woman of All Women”. When you look at her, you see nothing less than a lady. Her voice is strong but soothing– today she could compose a song proclaiming 4Loko tastes like Chardonnay…I’d be hauling a case of the for-some-reason-still-legal-and-sold-in-NYC-who’s-getting-arrested-for-this-crap back to my apartment for consumption.
Please overlook the fact that I’ve managed to mention drugs & Ms. Baker in the same sentence.
What’s written here could never compare to her impact on music & it’s quality. She is a legend. And she performed in Brooklyn:
It was nothing short of amazing.
8. The number of Grammy awards she’s amassed.
4. The number of platinum albums she has.
2. The number of times she’s gone gold.
Let’s not forget her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Time to drift off to a simpler time, listening to my favorite female singer.
Love,
*Ms. Officer
BHM:Where The Hell Did Time Go Wednesdays- Dennis Brown
February 1st.
If Robert Nesta Marley is the King, the Crowned Prince, (declared by Marley himself) is Dennis Emmanuel Brown.
This legendary reggae crooner began singing at 11 years old and continued on to record 75 albums. Many of you have seen the passion with which I’ve written about Bob Marley for my Black History Month Selection on JeffPearlman.com…
My memories of Brown began while sifting through a pile of records exceeding my own 6 year old height. They belonged to my father, we sat one afternoon in his Crown Heights abode.
“What’s this?” I am holding up one of the squares. It’s red.
He smiles. “Dennis Brown! ‘im baaadd yuh know.”
My mother, too, expressed this sentiment not in so many words.
In the middle of the brown carpet, on a Saturday night, any Saturday night, Donna would scoop me from in front of the television and into her arms. A sound akin to a streefighting cat best describes her singing. What beats and rhythms she hears I still don’t know, they most certainly never match what’s playing.
“Stop dancing me!” I’d protest.
Did I think this helped? The feline’s pain increased, as evidenced by it’s louder volume.
Sooner or later I’d succumb.
She would not let me go.
She continued to squeal.
Thankfully Dennis Brown’s velvety voice would eventually prevail.
“Have you ever beeeen innnn looove”
Uh oh, here comes the high note.
“Beeefffooooooooo-ooore!”
Years later I’d stumble back across this song on old cassette tapes, seredipitously looking for something else. I suppose this is the feeling classic music invokes, it sets you directly into the memory, as if it really isn’t a memory at all.
Dennis Brown is undoubtebly one of my favorite the best artists ever to grace a stage.
I’m glad NPR recognized this as well.
Love,
*Ms. Officer
Where The Hell Did Time Go Wednesdays- Raheem DeVaughn
It pains me to even compose this post featuring this man’s name, because he hasn’t been around that long.
…Or has he?
He hasn’t.
2006 was 5 years ago.
2006 was 5 years ago.
Raheem’s first album (not mixtape) was released in 2005, but this song, ohhhh this song had been making it’s rounds on VH1 Soul for months. The funny thing is I refused to watch the video because I felt he resembled a bootleg Ludacris, and I was not to stand for it.
One summer ’06 afternoon in while perched atop my bed in West Village C, (Huskies Only)
the sun sparkled through my blinds
the pigeons danced on window sills of the projects across the street
and the remote
…was on my desk.
3 1/2 half feet out of arm’s reach. My TV would remain on 54. I was to remain a prisoner of Raheem’s for the next 3:48.
Oh God, I was immediately taken.
From this I learned 2 things:
1. Don’t judge someone by their looks.
-Unless they’re a Negro. Over 21. With braids. And not Raheem Devaughn.
Duly Noted.
2. The Indian-y girl’s mouth bothered me. Or maybe it was just her altogether.
Needless to say this man is an amazing talent and I support him whenever I can. With that said, the “Raheem DeVaughning” has begun…& I’m deeply ensconced in everything from “The Love Experience” to present.
So thank you, young Negro from the DMV. I love your music. And the nostalgia it brings.
Reunited & it feels so good.
Love,
*Ms. Officer
The. Best. Christ. Mas. Songs. Evar.
December.
To me some it represents the impending doom of Jury Duty, only obeyed for fear of sharing a cell with an enlarged “woman” named Tiny. To the world over, it signifies the thick of the Holiday Season, and, most importantly– the fun “month illustration” on every calendar.
A feeling only Chrismahaunakwanzikah can bring.
This season is also particularly special because it’s the only one with it’s own soundtrack. Sure there are songs about love, but not necesarily Valentine’s Day, No one outside of the Irish sing for drinking, St. Patty’s Day, and I’ve never particularly heard a President’s Day song that made me want to blast it on my iPod, further deafening myself.
However:
5. Nat King Cole- The Christmas Song
Mr. Cole’s voice is akin to a fireplace and a freshly iced gingerbread house. That you just bit the door off of. Because you thought no one would notice if you called it a gingerbread “hut”.
For now, let’s just call him the Velvet Voice.
4. Paul Mc Cartney- Wonderful Christmastime
As cheesy and heavily synthed as it is, it gets radio-played almost 10 times an hour. This is obviously some sort of scientific measure of Paul McCartney’s popularity. I can listen to this sequence (or lack thereof) and not get exhausted. Maybe that says more about me than it does the song.
3. Stevie Wonder- Christmastime
On an ordinary day, during any one of his songs, Stevie Wonder’s voice makes my eyeballs well up. Add pine, memories of holidays past. Here is the recipie for the salty discharge that begins to roll down my cheeks. We’ve got a stage two tissue emergency.
Please don’t take Stevie Wonder at all. Take Soulja Boy instead.
2. Mariah Carey- All I Want For Christmas
The crowd pretty much echoes the world’s sentiment on this song. If you don’t agree, you’ve never:
a.) Truly appreciated Mariah Carey’s crazy
b.) Truly appreciated Mariah Carey’s genius
Much like last week’s toenail standing moment at The Garden, this and the following have been in contention for the number 1 spot.
1. Let It Snow- Boyz II Men Feat. Brian McKnight
If you can get passed the abusive hoop-earring wearing in this video, you can truly appreciate the song for what it is. Nostalgia & Christmas Cheer donned in Charlie Brown sweaters.
A classic with a twist . And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
*Bonus*
It’s ok, half my family is Jewish. I’m allowed.
