sagaciously is...

February 26, 2008

a gift, from me to you

Note: this is NSFW

Reh Dogg - "True Love Never Dies"

...you can thank me later.

Posted by saga_30311 at 09:01 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

May 28, 2006

love of my life - pt II

yeah, I went back there too...click here for a sample

see part I for background

the evolution of the love affair:: how do you wake up one morning, and realize that this person, this entity you'd never known before, is now, somehow inherently a part of you, a part of your life, and that you never want to be without it again? That's how I felt about hip-hop music and hip-hop culture. Now, don't get it twisted - I could've gone down the road of the five elements, and chased hard being an emcee, or a dancer, etc.. I know, I'm a girl, girls can/cannot break/emcee - whateva. But that was never how I felt about it. Hip-hop was always a feeling for me. I was a fan, a fanatical fan at times - a cheerleader, a booster, and an educator. When my musician (metal) friends questioned his legitimacy, I defended him, saying he was more than just scratching other folks music, over breakbeats. I loved him, this kid hip-hop, so it was always enough for me to let him shine, and just be able to bask in his brilliance.

That's what falling in love was like for me, and that's how falling in love with hip-hop was for me. It was a part of me, and I was a part of it. Inseparable.

we grew together...:: ...as kids do, we matured, expanded our horizons, and flexed our wings. When hip-hop was standing strictly in a b-boy stance I was there...at the Swatch Fresh Fest, when Grandmaster Dee was the nastiest DJ around, and I wanted to kiss Jalil, hip-hop was there. He even kept my fears at bay, when the guy standing in front of me got stabbed about 5 minutes into the Fat Boy's set. Note: the crowd parted briefly, the police dragged out both parties, and the general admission show went on...though it was the last general admission show at that venue for a while. Ah, those were the days.

He even came to my senior skip party, as the theme music Sucker MC's from Run-DMC. We ran that joint to death, as my friends tried to pop-lock and break, and the DJ played that famous hook over and over "dave cut the record...". Auuugh, remember Davey D? We went to every live show that came to my lil town, just to see the DJ's scratch, and the lyrics, dancers, and graffiti artists were sort of an afterthought.

Until Schoolly D, until Rakim, until Chuck D. and until Professor X. Hell, who knew as a young'un what "to the East, my brother" meant? But that brother had swagger, and how could you not appreciate a black man, telling other black men to stand up? Lyrics man....enough partying and everything, that's cool, but now how's about some lyrics. Chile, there were times when I caught myself thinkin' "ok, hip-hop done lost it's mind", but we were growing up, and when you're spreading your wings, a lil insanity is exactly what's needed. Yeah, I appreciated the party music, the Rob Bases, Jazzy Jeff (also nasty on the wheels) and the Fresh Prince, and Juice Crews of the hip-hop world. But I felt KRS-One when he ripped MC Shan apart on wax, and I felt Schoolly D when he said "PSK, we're makin that green...People always say, "What the hell does that mean?" When hip-hop pushed the envelope, I had his back, against critics, record companies, black radio, and this lil Music Video channel that absolutely refused to give him air-time. He loved me for having his back.

we grew apart... ...oh, that whole west coast thing, yeah. Never felt it. Never. I know, a lot of those brothers were talented, but that wasn't where my heart lay. So when hip-hop got gangsta, I went slightly west, to Chi-Town, embraced house, along with the Jungle Brothers ('cause they did promise they'd House me) and Heavy D (yes, we found love together, but what did we do with it?), and the Native Tongues (no I'm not mad at'chu because you told me that it was my buddy that was making you ever so horny, jungaliciously horny...lol). Ok so maybe I danced a lil to Ice-Ice Baby. And although I didn't try to Touch That (ugh) I did dance to Oaktown 3.5.7.'s "Yeah, yeah, yeah".

But even when we grew apart, we grew. We matured. We explored some new territories that maybe did/didn't contribute to the hip-hop aesthetic or hip-hop collective. Hell, who can really judge the contribution of PM Dawn's "Memory Bliss"? Oh, well - maybe KRS-One, hunh? Ok, well then is Tom Tom Club hip-hop? Suzanne Vega? We grew apart, but we didn't grow far apart. We always found our way back together. When hip-hop was out on some ole existentialist/political thang (Ras Kas, Kam, Paris), we had his back. When hip-hop was on some ole underground shyt, spitting shyt that didn't nobody get:

"And I’m the hickory-dickory top of morning boogoloo big jaw
With the yippedy zippedy winnie the pooh bad boy blue,
Yo crazy got the gusto, what up, I swing that too..."

I still had it's back. Even though almost 15 years later, I still don't know what the f*ck that means.

...but, what we had was ours:: when he was on some ole backpack bullshyt, smokin spiffs in a cypher, (OGC, Boot Camp Clik) not caring about commercial success, I was there. When he claimed some questionable grimey background (Onyx, anyone?) I was there. No matter how much his broke a$$ whined about radio ignoring him, record companies gankin' him, I listened to his complaints, and tried to nurse his bruised ego back into health. I stayed up late nights, waiting for underground college radio to run tracks. Back then, he never wanted to reach Fortune 500 status...he just wanted to stand up, like Professor X and Chuck D told him to. So I bought his mixtapes, and I went to see him perform. And, the first time we heard Caron Wheeler sing acappella on WBLS so hauntingly beautiful: "cold fresh air, feel the melody that's in the air....oh yeah"...we both got goosebumps.

That was hip-hop, and it was ours, and didn't nobody have to understand it, or buy it, because it belonged to us. And Mary J. didn't have to hit every note perfect for us to feel her, she was the Queen of Hip-Hop, who cares what anyone else thinks. And when Puffy and the Hit Men (whateva happened to them?) was churning out hits, we didn't question whether this was the direction we wanted hip-hop to go. It sounded good, even when it was "the remix". Even when MTV wouldn't play "our" videos (hell, they wouldn't play Mike or Prince back then either), we still had Video Music Box (my phone bill just recovered, thank you). It was music, our music.

But then...

Posted by saga_30311 at 03:14 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

September 16, 2005

still here

Yes, I'm still here, and still fine. Just been burning the candle at both ends, in the middle...well honestly, I even nuked the MF, but it just melted. I was expecting an explosion. Ah, well.

A coupla questions in the interim:
~ if the culture of a particular society is based on X framework, and X framework is an illusion, then how does any one individual within the society ever truly "succeed"?
~ is the Katrina debate really about the separation between classes/races? Or is it more about the separation between those who believe in institutions and those who do not?
~ It's 11o'clock. Why don't my neighbors know where their children are? (ok, they know where they are, but why is where they are outside?)
~ did this chick really grow up listening to this music?

the answer to these, and many other questions will be provided later, but I'll give you a hint...the last question is the easiest of the bunch to answer ;)

Posted by saga_30311 at 10:58 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

May 31, 2005

gitchoosome!

Cowboy Troy - Loco Motive

Yo, it's the latest in rap-fusion, dun...you don't know nay-than about this "Hick-Hop" son, kna'mean. Cowboy Troy is that next ish - And you know I had to cop a t-shirt while I was at it...can't wait for it to get here!

Check out the RB (radioblog - click the link up top) and you'll be ready to get yo thang on too. YEE-HAW!

note: i'm probably stir crazy, bored to tears, or recovering from the Itis, but c'mon...you DO know I ain't going out on no gimmicky, psuedo rap BS like this, right? Ok, I did buy the shirt for real though - it matches my Pumas ;-)

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April 30, 2005

Mint Condition - Livin' The Luxury Brown

mint condition - livin' the luxury brown rb


A friend surprised me with this, and after seeing their live concert footage on BET Jazz, I was pleasantly surprised.

I still haven't listened to the actual album, so we can sample this one together.

Let me know what you think - I'll post my comments later. Oh, and you can click the album cover to buy.

 
OK, now that I've had a listen (actually, several) - me & my inner boho chick are seriously conflicted about this album. Click below to see why.

Actually, me & the inner boho chick have been fighting about music for a while - so forgive me while I read her a$$:

me: ok, this isn't actually a banger, but as background music to mellow out to - this is cool.
inner-boho-chick: you have lost your ear AND your mind.
me: your pretentious a$$ only ever wants to listen e.Badu, j.Scott, etc.
inner-boho-chick: whateva man. I'm not feeling this album at all.
me: ok, let me break down why this was cool. Mind Condition seems to be trying to do two things with this album: please their ole-skool diehard fans (tracks 1-7) and explore some new territory (tracks 8-16).
inner-boho-chick: on that one we can agree.
me: so, for ole-skool Mint Condition fans, I'm Ready, My Sista and Love Your Tears are beautifully arranged, and the vocals & lyrics are a nice switch to offset the typical "I'm gonna bang your back out because you got a phat a$$ and I'm rich" whiny R&B that plagues the airwaves. Stokely still has the chops, and these tracks prove it.
inner-boho-chick: all them jawns are average.
me: WhAt?!
inner-boho-chick: average, mediocre - just because R&B these days (for the most part) sucks, doesn't mean Mint can recycle their old ballads & tracks, with a slight tweak, and put them back out.
me: < sucking teeth, and rolling eyes > ok, so please don't hold back - what do you REALLY think....?
inner-boho-chick: I think if you want to mention really STELLAR tracks - try Luxury Brown, It's Hard, Runaway and Doormat.
me: ok see - here you go...
inner-boho-chick: no really - don't front. With the first few bars of Luxury Brown and it's Hard, you were nodding your head...
me: ok yeah - that's normally how I can tell a banger. It's Hard is some straight Minneapolis funk for real...
inner-boho-chick: and Doormat, well - you know how we still like that funk-rock blend? The guitar riffs...
me: you're such a headbanger...
inner-boho-chick: anyway, the overall album is aight. But after watching the performance Video...
me: which, IMHO is off the chain. They're SO banging when they're performing...as the album's interludes seem to indicate
inner-boho-chick: yeah, the album overall just doesn't live up to the potential of their live performace.

Ok, she read me instead. But the boho chick is right. This album is cool, but doesn't give me goosebumps.

Posted by saga_30311 at 07:33 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

March 31, 2005

the neo-soul sistas poll

The neo-soul sistas radio blog << click there. And a poll to vote for your favorite...

I was lurking on OkayPlayer and came across this discussion, so I figured I'd share. Oh yeah, and I do need some musical inspiration, so holla!

Posted by saga_30311 at 08:17 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

March 20, 2005

Guilty Pop Pleasures

I must admit I lost the ear for pop music when I embraced my inner-boho. Thanks to Keyer Soze (he knows who he is), I got it back...and I got it bad.

So, I can't even create a radio.blog without acknowledging what's been running in my iTunes ever since. Pop music - str8 up, with no chaser.!

Funny thing is - the production on most of these joints is - nashy. Without further ado: The Radio Blog Ode to Pop/R&B Music.

1. One Thing (remix) ~ Amerie ft. Eve: The orig drum track = BANANAS. And so is this tweak. Yes there's a slight change,it's toward the end. U gotta wait for it...


2. Get Right ~ j.Lo: if there was one person I wish would get jacked for beats, it would be her. No offense, but you feel me.


3. Ride ~ Usher: Oh she did get jacked for the beat! My bad!


4. What Ever You Want~ Usher ft. Mike Jones: He's Mike Jones. That'll hit a chick quick, and make her walk home ( my fave line of this song).


5. Red Light ~ Usher: Wait, is Usher the Ice Cube of pop music? Jacking for beats?


6. Blah, Blah, Blah ~ Brooke Valentine ft. Dirt McGirt: Note: I will not be responsible for your reaction to this song. And yes, that is ODB.


7. When I Get You Alone (dirty) ~ Thicke: He deserved more love than he got for this one.


8. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah ~ Amerie: Ok, so here, the focus is Amerie, not necessarily the track.


9. Turn Da Lights Off ~ Tweet ft. Missy and 50 Cent: 50. IS. WRONG. FOR. CALLING. OUT. TYRA. (ok, well yeah...her breasts ARE amazing, but still).


10. Man Up (dirty) ~ Amerie ft. Nas: More Amerie leaks. Sending this one out to my baby's daddy, my baby daddy's daddy, and my baby daddy's daddy's daddy. Oh I'm kidding. Well, really I'm not.


11. Dip It Low (Reggaeton Remix) ~ Christina Milian: This makes me glad that the Pop-R&B w/World Music thing (think Truth Hurts) only caught on enough for occasional use - and this works.


12. Oh ~ Ciara ft. Ludachris: I gotta end it with a Southern banger. I'm officially a Peach for this one. Seriously. I'd back it up like Ciara said, but I don't wanna hurt nobody. 'specially myself.

Posted by saga_30311 at 10:53 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

March 13, 2005

The 1st radio.blog = a meme from ej

A meme, via ej, á la toddkelley:
The Assignment: To reveal your Top (b)12 Favorite Songs of All Time. For those of you with the capabilites, radio.blogs would be preferred. For those whoe don't, a nice numbered list will suffice.
* Special thanks: to Ej, for being an inspiration, technical consultant, and letting me hack his code. You're the shiznit, man ;-)

Rules:
- An artist is only allowed one song on the list (oops)
- Post radio.blog (if you can)
- A sentence or two on why each song makes the list

My 12: Note: click the Album Covers to check them out on Amazon.
the music meme - my top 12

1. Grover Washington ~ Moonstreams: The birth of the boho-chick. Dad died in 1977, and I can't remember him ever actually playing this. I pick it up outta a box in the attic 2 years later, and I played it to remind me of him - until the grooves were worn off. It's still haunting me.


2. Prince ~ Another Lonely Christmas: The longest dateless slump I had during high school (18 months of NOTHING, btw) was wrapped around this release. I think I cried myself to sleep every night to this song over the Christmas break of '1982.


3. Rose Royce ~ Wishing On A Star: I can feel my face pressed up against some dude's ruffled sky-blue rental tuxedo shirt at a school dance, just listening to this.


4. Rick James ~ DreamMaker: Cocaine is a (powerfully) beautiful thing. Bad joke, but really - Rick did write some un-matchably funky-a$$ beautiful music while he was high as hell. And he's from my hometown. Don't sleep on Jefferson Ball either ;-).


5. Stevie Wonder ~ Superwoman (Where were you when I needed you): I first heard this a year ago, and with one listen it became my favorite Stevie song (even if I still like to shake my booty to As). From the opening notes, to the change leading to Where Were You When I Needed You, this is painfully stellar.


6. Prince ~ She's Always In My Hair (extended remix): No way I can get by with just one Prince song. Maybe I'll marry him (maybe I won't). Maybe I'll sing this to myself without playing the track, and STILL get goose bumps (the guitar licks? Can I get Prince to play that in my hair? Please?).


7. Michael Jackson ~ Don't Stop Til You Get Enough: In 1979, he was still black, still yummy, still relatively normal, and I was lustin' like a mutha - so I could never get enough. Apparently, Mike couldn't either - and he really should've stopped. Can't take it from him though, his music is still it, period.


8. Brand New Heavies ~ Stay This Way: Step 1. Go to a club, beautifully made up, and with enuff $$$ to just get in the door. Step 2. Bring a change of shirt, washcloth & deodorant. Step 3. Solicit drinks from enamored onlookers, and when you get a really good buzz - ask the DJ to play this (along with at least 12 more dance/deep house songs) and dance ALONE until you are absolutely euphoric, smelly, and all traces of makeup & hairstyle are gone. Step 4. Freshen up in the ladies room, and repeat step 3 until the bouncers make you leave.


9. Biggie Smalls ~ Party & Bullshyt: Before he was Notorious, and before the Bling he was still a Bad Boy - that told amazing stories. Yes, it's a rough track - and that's why I like it.


10. Wu-Tang Clan ~ Protect Ya Neck: All the elements are here: the embedded skit, the underlying kung-fu sound effects/music, the ridiculous piano track (RZA - I luv you). And their VOICES - OMG - not to be nashy, but there's something about a roughneck NY accent that still makes me moist, ok?


11. Erykah Badu ~ Green Eyes: The movements. The rawness of her emotions. The change from Denial to Acceptance to the Relapse. Roy Hargrove. Whew. 'Nuff Said.


12. Soul to Soul ~ Back To Life (Acapella): Bronx, 1989: I'm in a hotel room, rushing to get dressed so me and the-then boyfriend can go out & handle some shady business - and the Acapella version of this comes on WBLS. And. I. Stopped. In. my. Tracks. And. Couldn't. Move. Until. It. Went. Off. Afterward, I wiped the drool of my chin, and bought every version I could find: 45, 12", and the album. This is probably number one - I STILL get goose bumps every time I hear it. Caron Wheeler man - and Jazzie B.

Posted by saga_30311 at 10:31 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

the categories:: saga's got some 'splainin' to do...

yeah, there's a method to my madness. so to make the whole thing clear as fog:

• about me, sagaciously:: all personal stuff, all the time. what I'm thinking, listening to, etc.


• baconstraw:: sometimes, things just don't make no kinda sense. Like a straw made of bacon. And they're not supposed to.


• culture:: Have I seen any hot movies? Read a good book? Stared longingly at a Romare Bearden? You'll read about it here.


• current events:: If Halle decides to dump Michael Ealy, and he seeks solace in my arms, or I glance lustily at the latest felon to shut down Georgia's streets, yes - it'll end up here.


• hair - nappy that is:: nappiness for 5+ years and counting. read all the ups & downs here.


• motherhood:: I raise children, therefore I am.


• parties & bullshyt:: ok, I know you're thinking - wth? But 50Cent & the Game are involved in a shootout at a radio station, then later declare a widely publicized "truce"? Str8 bullshyt - you feel me.


• poetry:: I'm moving the old ones here, and writing some new ones. Feeback (+/-) is greatly appreciated.


• politricks:: I'm just a regular working-stiff, trying to make sense of political issues that affect me. This is usually a tricky business. Well, on an emotionally level I'm leery of politicians in general, so hence also the name.


• work:: ok, a caution - this category will be much lighter than the other ones. I can't HELP but write about it since it takes up 80% of my life, but the names wil be changed to protect the guilty.

A few more caveats - even though I'm a displaced Yankee, living in the hottness - Atlanta is all over this biyotch. I'm amazed sometimes how things go down, down hea - but that sentiment hits all categories, hence no one thang for Hotlanta. And yes, being African-American colors my perception of everything. So, all categories are painted in shades of blackness - some things more obviously than others.

Now that you've read the primer - go forth, and blogtiply. (Maybe I shoulda had a category for corn?)

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