BEYONCE'S PERSONAL RESPONSE TO KANYE (PSYCHE!)

Okay, so it's not really Beyonce. But this woman really has her voice and facial expressions down pat, though! From Crunk + Disorderly

JUST WHITNEY

I just need some good, positive stuff right about now. Here's Whitney Houston singing "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" on Oprah.

WHITE MAN BEATS UP BLACK WOMAN AT CRACKER BARREL

Talk about coincidence. Earlier, I posted an item about former president Jimmy Carter and his feelings on the racial climate in politics. Among his remarks were his experiences growing up in Georgia, particularly as they pertained to racism. And now we have one Troy Dale, who upon exiting a Cracker Barrel restaurant(no f-ing joke!) in Morrow, GA, almost hit a child with the door. The woman, Tasha Hill, who was entering the restaurant with the child, calmly asked that he be more careful. He then proceeded to beat the woman down with his fists and feet while her 7 year-old child watched, calling her a "nigger bitch" in the process. The police are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime.

On the flip, Rush Limbaugh is attempting to fan the flames of racial hatred by insisting that a recent fight on a school bus in which a group of black kids beat up a white kid was motivated by President Obama's vision of America. It turns out the fight wasn't racially motivated as both white and black kids cheered the group on, but rather was over a choice of seating.

I have no further words for this.

FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER ON RACISM AND PRESIDENT OBAMA

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During an interview with Brian Williams of NBC Nightly News, former president and humanitarian Jimmy Carter adressed the elephant in the room and said that he believes U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson's (read more about Joe here) outburst during President Obama's speech on healthcare was rooted in racism. This issue has been tiptoed around for too long, and quite frankly, it's time that someone finally had the courage to confront this head-on.

Much has been made about the tea parties, disruptive town hall meetings, Fox News ranters and other fringenuts being harmless, or a small minority of the right, but what does it take or how much time should pass before this idiocy spreads and infects more of the disillusioned resulting in violence against our president? Politicians are played a dangerous game of poking at the cookoo's nest with a stick and claiming that the denizens are just frustrated average folk. Not to mention the unprecedented blatant disrespect for the office of the president? Nazi! Socialist! Take our country back! Bury Obamacare With Kennedy! These are just some of the things being shouted at so-called patriot rallies and town hall meetings. It's fucking frightening, and as I read and watch the daily barrage of insults and attacks against a president who is, ironically, trying to engage in a bi-partisan effort to ensure universal healthcare for all, I sometimes feel physically ill. Okay, I admit that the healthcare issue is a bit complex, and I want him to "call out" those who are smiling in his face while simultaneously slipping the shiv in his back - and yes, I'm aware that this is how the Republicans play the game, but I wish the president would take off the kid gloves and call Joe Wilson an asshole just as easily as he called Kanye West a jackass!

That said, I know that our president is an assured tactician, and I wholly believe that he knows how to get the job done. It's only been eight months and there's much to do. But backhands must be served when due! And it's only a matter of time before the right mobilizes the fringe and for however ridiculous their claims, there is a growing movement. A potentially deadly movement.


Need further proof? Then watch this clip. It is ignorance in full bloom.


To those who are tired of the so called race card being played, face it - race is, and will continue to be an issue. Racism and prejudice against blacks, Asians, Hispanics, and other cultures is so ingrained into our culture, history and collective minds that it will most likely never disappear. It appears in every aspect of life including entertainment, fashion, the media, the classroom and the boardroom. Most of us do our best to compartmentalize it or develop thick skins in order to continue going about our daily business. There is also racism by minorities against other minorities. And a lot of us have made or laughed at the occasion racist joke, "slipped" an occasional slur or hold on to certain streotypical beliefs that were implanted into our minds as youths, which are then passed along, generation to generation. Or perhaps we may even have some innate feelings and ideas about race which needs to be addressed. But keep it real, it ain't going away no time soon, so wherever you stand, we must continue to encourage open dialogue and debate. It's pure and simple.

MICHAEL JACKSON ALLEGEDLY ADMITTED HE WAS ADDICTED TO PAINKILLERS

A video has surfaced in which The King of Pop admits that he was addicted to painkillers. During an inteview, which was conducted by a lawyer in 2003, Michael claimed that he could have been under the influence of drugs prescibed for injuries sustained during a tour. The purpose of the interview was to respond to a breach of contract lawsuit brought by former managers Dieter Weisner and Ronald Konitzer.

Unfortunately, the video, which was released by the British newspaper The Sun, is restricted to U.K. readers only, but hopefully, it willl be available on these shores soon.

Read the full article here.

2009 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS LIVE BLOG

I'm watching the pre-show, and already, I'm a little confused as to what's up with Janet Jackson's tribute to her brother Michael. I was under the impression that this was the main selling point of the show, but Alica Keys was interviewed and asked what she thought of the tribute to which she said, "Oh, I thought it was secret, but I guess it's out now." Hmmm, did our pre-show host drop the ball? Later, he interviewed Jermaine Jackson (sorry, but I just can't get past that painted-on hairline, bruh) who was coy about the tribute saying, in other words, that IF Janet WAS to perform, she'll kick some ass.

I guess we'll see.

Beyonce is being interviewed. In mid-sentence, some guy walks in front of the camera and without missing a beat Sasha holds out her arm, says, "Excuse me," waves him out of the shot, and continues talking. Love that. Bey also gives props to Janet.

And then the show began.

9:00 - Madonna pays tribute to Michael, citing their similarities, and the tragedies and triumphs of his career. She looks great! Pete Wentz bows his head in prayer(?!) Pink smirks and looks down at her lap. Is she not feeling Michael? Madonna? She also says that we abandoned Michael. Herself included. I don't know where to put this.....

9:07 - Dancers hit the stage re-enacting MJ's "Thriller". There are five Michaels, each depicting him in various stages of his career. Other hits follow, including "Smooth Criminal".

9:10 - Michael & Janet's "Scream" starts. It's Janet! She busts some moves. She sings a little bit. She seems a bit stiff. This lasts all of one and a half minutes.

WHAT?!

Beyonce need not be worried. THIS WILL BE HER SHOW.

Host Russell Brand is onstage. He's screaming cockney in his "delicious trousers". I begin to worry that I'm missing the True Blood finale, which I gave up to watch this. I do the math. I've now decided that I'm going to bail and watch TB. I'll check back in with highlights.
Out.

9:23 - But wait, it's Best Female Video. Taylor Swift beats out Beyonce's Single Ladies!!! Kanye West interrupts Taylor's speech and screams, "YOU LIE!" Kidding. He really shouted, "I'm sorry, Taylor, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of ALL TIME!" Beyonce's song "Ego" pops into my head, and it won't leave. Thanks, Kanye. My god, the internet will not be the same tomorrow. I know this because I, myself, am not the same after that. And the MTV Awards show has been officially stolen. And as it turns out, Kanye has kicked all of our collective asses.

With that, I can't take anymore. I'm going. For real, this time. Be back in a few.

9:47 - Okay, I'm back, with just the highlights, at this point. Lady Gaga revisits Madonna's Vogue performance from the 1991 VMA show - sort of. The song is about the paparazzi. I don't see any cameras or mad car chases, but she seems pretty angry, and she and her dancers are performing some sort of spastic-tragic ballet. Oh, now I hear camera clicks. She's now hanging in effigy, with blood covering her face. Is this in reference to Lady Diana? Deep.

10:19 - Ne Yo and Chace Crawford present the "Hardest Working Woman In Show Business", Beyonce. It's SINGLE LADIES! She's looking thick and juicy in a sparkly floral body suit confection, doing what she does best, backed by a Vegas-inspired flurry of legs, hair and booty. Mission Accomplished. I can now further sate my hunger for decadence by tackling a plate of skrimps & pasta alfredo with spinach.

10:29 - Diddy ("what'd I say?") and Jamie Lynn Sigler announce the Best Male Video. The audience does NOT forgive Kanye West, and promptly boo at the mere mention of his name. T.I. wins, thus averting a riot, and depriving me of some much-needed drama.

10:34 - Russell Brand is back and shouting something about "buck-toothed perverts". Actor Gerard Butler introduces Muse. Time to knock off a few more of these skrimps. I'm really appreciating this tall glass of Tropicana Tropical Punch w/ice. No, that ain't no plug! And please, somebody get Tracy Morgan to host next year's show!

10:47 - JLO! JLO! J to-the-l-to-the-fuckin'-o! Announces the best Hip Hop Video. Emimen wins. He's really calm about it. Nice.

10:49 - Kid Cudi performs a tribute to DJ AM. All smooved out on the quirk tip. I'm digging it. But they cut to a commercial! I'ma go get me some more juice.

10:56 - Russell introduces my boy Tracy Morgan and Eminem to announce the Best New Artist. I'm now convinced that Tracy is the new Biz Markie. Lady Gaga wins. She accepts the award covered in red lace from head to toe (an extension of the bloody face motif, I guess), which seems to shoot up toward the sky in a reverse hell effect. Oh, I get it - hell is really in heaven!! Oh my. She dedicates her award to the gays. Well, who do you think designed the outfit?

11:01 - A VMA first: Pink sings and performs a whole song while swinging on a trapeze. Thrills and chills, y'all! Will she slip? Is there a safety net? Who cares! Color me impressed.

11:11 - Jimmy Fallon and Andy Samberg announce the Video of the Year. Kanye gets booed again. Beyonce deservedly wins. The camera flashes to Lady Gaga, who's face is now covered by a white bird's nest. Beyonce graciously calls Taylor Swift onstage to finish her acceptance speech, which had been hijacked by Kanye.

11:23 - Jay Z and Alicia Keys perform a love rap to NY with a Yankee Stadium backdrop. This and Beyonce's previous act of good will seem to pull the show back from falling into the vortex to hell. The song is beautiful. I smell a new anthem.

11:28 - Michael Jackson's promo clip for This Is It reminds us of a promise that will forever remain unfulfilled.

The show ends. In summation, this show delivered on its yearly promise to deliver the crazy. Yeah, I missed the True Blood, finale, but that's why On Demand was invented, right?

UPDATE: Word around the internets is that the whole Kanye/Swift/Beyonce debacle was staged. Whatever. It was good tv all the same.

SATURDAY NIGHT CHILL - CHICO DeBARGE

You mean you don't have this CD in your 'collect yet?

Chico DeBarge - Oh No (2009)
From the album Addiction

NEW MUSIC FROM N'DAMBI - "CAN'T HARDLY WAIT"

After enjoying a lengthy stint as a backup singer for Erykah Badu, N'Dambi continues to bring the truth with her fourth release Pink Elephant, which will hit the streets October 6,'09.

Peep this clip of her latest release, Can't Hardly Wait. Support real soul music, y'all!