Is It All Really Worth It?

I'm Baaaaaack! Hmm another controversial topic . . .

Well today is a new day soon to be a new night so i gotta discuss some new things on my mind. I'm going to talk about relationships and my whole take on them. I don't think everyone is made for it and I feel that many of us are in love with the idea of love and being with somebody. Me, personally I am on the fence about how I feel when it comes to myself and relationships because I feel like it is necessary because it let's you see another side of yourself when you are with someone and at the same time I don't believe in them because I feel that sometimes it is just temporary and so much time and energy is being put in it and it doesn't work out. The reason why I probably have negative and positive views on relationships is because of past experience and horrible mistakes made. Even so, I must agree that without relationships it is sort of hard to interact with the rest of society, so in that perspective it is needed. But in terms of love and relationships that's when things get tricky so I have to ask a couple of questions that I have never understood:

1. When in a relationship and you are with someone that you know you are not in love with, why not man up/woman up and break it up instead of cheating?

2. When you say you love someone, why do you cheat knowing that not only will it hurt your partner but will sit on your conscience?

3. Why try when there is nothing left?

4. Why claim to love someone but when mistakes are made say such hurtful words? Is the love you have REALLY UNCONDITIONAL

5. Is it impossible for one to forget a hurtful past, while trying to work on their future with another person? Or will it be a reoccurring cycle that never ends?

6. Is it possible for someone to really love another unconditionally after the infatuation is gone? Or is that what it is?

7. Is one really ever in love or IN LOVE with the IDEA of love?

Lastly, IS IT ALL REALLY WORTH IT?

Speak Your Mind, But Hold That Thought?

Artist Spotlight: Gucci Mane

'Give That Dude A Shovel Cuz He Diggin Gucci Style'

If you don't go to the club I don't think you would be able to appreciate someone of the likes like Gucci Mane. In this past year Gucci Mane has taken the music scene by storm with his infectious hooks and hard knocking beats. With songs like 'My Kitchen' and 'Bricks' it has put him on the map and whenever you go to the club you will hear a Gucci set (alongside his protege OJ da Juiceman). He even makes his mark when he guest appears on tracks like Let The Beat Rock w/ The Black Eyed Peas and 50 Cent, the Break Up joint with Mario and Sean Garrett and the club banger 'Make The Trap Say Aye' with OJ da Juiceman. Although he isn't the most prolific rapper in the game, he does know how to represent the trap niggas and have regular folks boppin along to his crazy beats. The South is coming in and they are takin over and the underground artists like Gucci are surfacing and making a killing. It's gettin kinda chilly BURR!

FeRoce...Exactly 5 Days

The official Launch Party for Jaea Mag's nightlife blog is exactly 5 days away! Advanced Tix are basically sold out and it's $20 at the door, but because Jaea is poppin like that $15 guestlist until 8pm on August 29th. The event will be at Toula Nightclub 1 Harvour Circle (Bay & Queens Quay) 38th Floor of the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel

follow the blog @ www.jaeamag.blogspot.com

Being Fresh Isn't A Science

Yes I feel good right now, ok I'm lying I'm actually in the dumps but whatever it doesnt stop me from doing what I do best which is. . .well I don't know right now I haven't been on this thing in so long. I'm telling you factory life will FUCK your social/personal life up. But let me get on to the shit that matters. . .

Ok if some of y'all know me, everybody knows that I DON'T take alot of shit seriously, but if there is anything that I do take remotely seriously is my look and how I wear clothes and even so sometimes its a given. But with all these new trends I think it's making people a little bit crazy these days and making it a BIG DEAL to keep up the with trends and designer names. I must admit I fall victim to that shit some of the time because growing up all I WORE were designer brands. As I'm getting older I still like brands but I am starting to realize that it's not all about the brand it's about how you present yourself. This is why I appreciate those who make the fashion and not let the fashion make them. Cuz honestly alot of people are making shit hard for themselves by always tryna keep up with all the gear coming out, like FUCK it's not that big of a deal, YOU as a person make it that big of a deal. Even something as putting on a white tee and some jeans with a pair of kicks has turned into a life or death task. Not to mention people are starting to think they are better than someone because they are a following a trend. Newsflash motherfucker you are FOLLOWING you are not a leader, therefore don't act like you are king shit because you have some levis skinnies on with a plaid shirt and basic coloured vans. WACK! That's why I respect those that switch it up, and i respect those that still stay with that hood shit even because they are being TRUE to themselves. As opposed to some of you mindless weirdos who think you have hit the big time when you can afford some nudies (rolls eyes til they get stuck). Not to mention I fuckin hate it when mans yes I said MANS have the audacity to talk about a next man's gear and talking about his shit from head to toe. I got three questions for you:
1.Are you serious?
2.Why are are you staring at a next man so hard?
3.Are you effin GAY?
I effin hate that shit who died and called your ass Andre Leon Talley or Versace of this shit relax there bud. Like in my opinion it's either you know how to dress or you don't it shouldn't be hard work!

But you know what I'm guilty of following trends but at least when I do it I take it to another level because you know what I have to put my own little spin on shit. This is how I know that in some ways I have been a trendsetter, I was not the biggest fan of urban brands, why? Because I was always too skinny to fit in them. So me I was a hollister and abercrombie fan (which I am to this day) because the shit fits and honestly I am a white kid at heart. I use to get made fun of all the time for wearing that shit even wen I was doin it up with the combat boots with pantyhose tube socks and a floral dress with a jeans jacket when I was a kid. I was the black kid that made NOOOOOO sense but as I look back on it, I'm glad I was always different because you know what now I appreciate it. I've alwaysz been into shit that's weird, even the first time I ever wore a plaid shirt back in gr.11 wen they weren't cool i was made fun of. Don't read this section and think that I'm tryna make myself look good, because that's not the point what I'm tryna show you is the shit that might b old that's in your closet might be the shit that will set you apart from the rest. That's also another reason why I LOVEEEEEEE being African more specifically Ghanaian. There is so much appreciation for fabric and different type of textiles that makes fashion and style for me more free. So yes people I am not limited to a pair of skinnies with a plaid shirt.

So what I would like to say is that many of us are spending 50-60 bucks on American Apparel sweaters to keep up with the pack, when we can be taking that money to other places where we can be either being making clothes of our own or going to a thrift store to find some shit that can have us the center of attention because we are able to go there and nobody else, separate yourself from the pack. This is a shout out to those who keep it real funky with themselves and know what it is, it's not about the fashion or the trend it's about the way you present yourself.

Specially dedicated to many of the fashion leaders and you know who you are. . .

Speak Your Mind, But Hold That Thought!

Bitches && Hoes. . .It Don't Phase Me

Yes I'm here and in full effect, I have been away for a couple of days but can you blame me i'm on a constant paper chase and i know you guys are. But I think I have about 3 more blogs in me for this week and then caribana weekend review along with some photos lmao. But yes let's get to the subject at head. . .

Ok for sometime this has always been on my mind since Oprah had a series on this and BET had their own 3 or 4 part series called Hip Hop v. America and how can I forget Karrine 'Superhead' Steffans infamous book Diary of A Video Vixen. And you guessed it if you skipped the title I'm going to have to talk about the fascination of the terms Bitches && Hoes. Well let's begin shall we. . .

What does the word bitch mean? Well if you look it up in the dictionary the word means a female dog (i don't think any female would like to be called a dog) but look at how things have changed ! With words changing over time and the meaning being changed the word can be used in an endearing way or degrading way (depends on how it is said). Any who there has been a lot of chatter on how this word is used too much and how it is degrading and it sets women back. Not to mention with this type of language being put into alot of lyrics especially rap lyrics, there are usually visual aid to this songs (music videos) so when women are portrayed bitches it is very degrading once again. But I think the word that most 'activists' think is probably even more degrading is the use of the word 'ho', well along time ago the word meant a garden tool, but its funny how things change and is now a term that is used to call a woman that sleeps with every tom dick and harry. But I could've sworn that 'ho' is actually whore but whatever.

The readon why I am taking about this (especially since it is talked about alot) I feel like I should give my two cents. Why? Well because it's MY blog so I can do whatever I want LOL. But on some serious shit I feel that sometimes us black women put this shit on ourselves because if you think about it I dont think there is one black lady that hasnt called someone a bitch in their whole entire lives (saved or not), but that's not the case I'm trying to make. What I'm trying to say that although these disrespectful words are being said on a continuous basis and it has become so much of a norm it's turned into a second nature for this generation. So in saying this I have alot of things to address alot of these activists say that there is too much booty shaking and booty popping in the male rap music videos and the word bitch and hoe being used. Fine, I agree. But Beyonce does the same shit, the only difference is that her shit is choreographed and when she says the word bitch (in the song Ego)it is glorified and many of us commend that. But the funny thing about that is if Kanye would've said the b-word in the remix somebody would prolly say something about it and overlook Beyonce sayin the same shit. So that there is already problematic, so tell me why is that when a man uses the word bitch we wanna start a rally and when a woman says it we either agree or wanna beat her ass for it? The same goes for the word ho and slut

Me personally I will tell you the truth I DON'T GIVE A FUCK! I don't care because look at this way us women are guilty for calling other women by the same shit, but as soon as a man says it we are ready to go APE shit in the whole place. Like hello sometimes people need to realize that you must treat people the way you wanted to be treated, if you gonna call someone a hoe and and in some cases she might not be a hoe or a slut, somebody else will call you that. And in some cases in order for men to have respect for any of us, we need to have respect for ourselves. If there is no respect between women why does a man have to respect us? Please tell me that why? Me the way I see it if a rapper says the word bitch and hoe and what not it dont phase me for a minute because I am not of the sort, so when other women catch feelings I'm like if it doesn't apply to you why are u making such a big deal out of it. There are bitches out there there are hoes out there and there are sluts out there. I hate to tell everybody that, but it's the damn truth and if there is someone that is a hoe they will be addressed in that manner. But if your gonna call girls whores and bitches and shit and you know u have no reason to you jus acting like an idiot.

I feel like the only way this problem can be solved, is through education and I dont mean reading a book, it starts from the mothers aunties older cousins grandmothers things of that sort. Because if you think about it we should all be lifting each other up because when you help another woman out there is no need to have bitches, hoes, and sluts. there is always that support that is shown that stops a grrl from making the mistake that may have them labelled as such. Butr really who the fuck am i to say anything i am only one person and in this world ignorance is an excuse for everyday's problems. . .

Speak Your Mind, But Hold That Thought!

Wu-Tang, Wu-Tang

So I was in adrift and I heard Gravel Pit and I had a big moment so I need to post some videos up R.I.P. Ol' Dirty Bastard a.k.a. Dirt McGirt

Greatest Rapper Alive

So this is my first post on my new blog, I'm quite happy :). And for you lazy butts that won't support me by coming here and following my blog the first 3 blogs posted will be put on facebook and then after that I will make you come here. But let's get this party started:

As many of the male friends and female friends I have know that I am an ultimate music head, I listen to any and everything from Mozart to Sade and DMX to Garth Brooks. But clearly Rap/Hip-Hop is the dominant genre I listen to. So because of that there has always been that conversation of 'who is the best rapper alive'. Well I'm going to tell you because I think I have the credentials to make such a statement, THERE IS NO GREATEST RAPPER ALIVE! Why you ask? Being a rapper is not something that most of these artists should aspire to be, they should try to be a legend I remember once upon a time many of these artists aspired to be the best MC. Even look at that nobody ever tried to be the best rapper, they wanted to be the best MC. There was a time when many of these artists would own their skills by practising day in and day out and would be seen in many ciphers battling it out for the respect of their peers. Now there is none of that, many of these artists that are coming in are doing the same repetitive bullshit and all these songs can be created through a number of simple instrumental loops and a simplistic hook. Therefore it becomes just a ringtone song and the song of that particular summer and doesnt resonate into many more years. That's just one of the reasons, I'm cooking people.

Another reason why I think there is no greatest rapper alive especially during this time is because many of the artists that we would consider the best rapper alive have dumbed down their shit incredibly to fit the standards of record companies and ultimately to make money. An example I would like to put out is one of Common, I think that he is one of the most talented MC's in the game his lyrical content is A-MA-ZING! But with the release of his album Universal Mind Control, there was a shift in content it was more of a upbeat album compared to most of his socially conscience content in the past. Nonetheless, this album was better than alot of most albums with this type of theme, compared to all his efforts like Water for Chocolate and Be, it pails in comparison dramatically. Like Universal Mind Control and Annpuncement are proper songs, but it will never compare to songs like: I Used To Love H.E.R., The Light, or Testify. Two other prominent examples of industry politics when it comes to the dumbing down of music are Nas and Jay-Z. Alot of people like to say that Jay-Z sold out and what not, but you know what he played the game for what it was, because Jay-Z knows that if it came down to it he could be an MC if you look at songs like Soon You'll Understand, I Know, etc, but chose the money route, and he even talks about dumbing down his music in the now proclaimed ghetto anthem "Hard Knock Life". Because if you think about it Reasonable Doubt was probably Jay-Z's most heartfelt album (before The Blueprint) and it was released in 1996 and it didnt go platibum until 2006. SO what does that say about music, the industry and the listeners. In terms of Nas, (I know there are some hardcore fans out there but I have to say it) the dude was not CONSISTENT, he had garbage albums one of them including Nastradamus, that album was horrible. After Illmatic it was like all his other albums weren't shit until Stillmatic came out and it was like 'ok Nas hasn't lost his touch' but after that he has had good albums but still doesn't compare to Illmatic and Stillmatic which were named classics in the Source magazine. In a sense I feel like Nas has failed his fans at times. And that's me just being real. But how can I also forget about Fabolous && Cassidy, those dudes are probably one of the most talented MC's (yes I said it MC you dont have to spit conscience shit to be an MC) they could both spit and they could freestyle like it was nobody's business, but once again because of industry politics they were reduced to makin love songs and party joints all the FREAKING time. And I have followed both of their careers from the start and i know that they are capable of sooo much more, and with the relases of B.A.R.S. by Cassidy and now Loso's Way (July 28th) I think people will really see what they are capable of.

Lastly, I feel that there is no greatest rapper alive because many people do not know how to differentiate what a rapper is and what an MC is. I'm not gonna sit here and say I know the damn difference because there is a blurred line because there are different type of listeners when it comes to this genre. You have your purists, underground, mainstream so that right there already is problematic. There are too many grey areas when it comes to trying to figure out who is really MC'n or just talking shit, but as of late the gap is starting to become visible and you can really tell who is tryna be here for the long run or looking to get some money and then leave. For example M.I.M.S. and the single This Is Why I'm Hott, um yea the man was sizzling and then turned cold far from the cry of his single. Hmm but a nice club banger nonetheless. And I think that is the problem there is no balance anymore every song is made for the damn club there is no type of point to the music that is being made. That is why when albums such as PaperTrail are released you have to appreciate it. Like I know everybody has to have a good time but sheesh there has to be some type of equilibrium. Another problem is the lack of respect and knowledge of rap yesterday, since most of these kids don't know their history and if they do they don't understand it, it's easier for these rappers to come out with bullshit for young listeneres and the rappers themselves to disrespect their elders (Soulja Boy, Ice T, and Nas [soulja boy called Nas a dumbass it's on youtube check it out;; ice-t said soulja boy killed rap]). New heads need to shut the fuck up and take notes because in the era that people like Nas, Jay, and Ice T they were rappin in where rapping in, they would've been eaten alive.

So basically I think the best way to figure out this mc/rapper difference is by saying 'An MC can be a rapper but a rapper can't be an MC'. But if that's so why is that there can't be that conversion from a rapper to an MC? I personally feel that time to ask this type of question was when quality music was being made and that was from the late 80s to about 2002. But as of right now with even our rappers dumbing down their content it is quite hard to tell what is music anymore. If you ask me if rap is dead or not I say it's on life support because of lil' wayne selling a milli, which then proved we still had commercial power but it still didn't say that he was a the best or greatest rapper alive. So end of by saying that we are at a point in time where we are waiting for the new freshman of rap to bring something about to the table because if we continue to let the music industry continue to decide what we listen to and what gets put out, all we will have left is a crop of rappers with no appeal and a generic sound.

You Can Speak, But Hold That Thought!