JumpinJack AJ

I downloaded the album when it was first available, but I wanna get a few listens in before I comment on it. There's definitely some songs on here that I love. Here's an article I just found... http://ronnettecox.com/2014/02/13/indie-sound-behind-kel-spencers-new-album-lndnwud/ Indie Sound: Behind Kel Spencer’s New Album “LNDNWUD” Another part of surrounding myself with art is actively seeking out creative friends, people who inspire me, people I learn so much from. I need that! Its like air for a creative mind, so I would like to share these great people with you and I hope you receive them well! So it seems today is Hip Hop day on the site (see today’s Black History and Debate Posts ) in continuing the theme I’m excited to share dope new music with you all! (off the top some of my favorite tracks are “Blue & Green” and the tongue twisting “SANCUBROOKLYDELPHIA”) Kel Spencer, whom I’ve known for a number of years now is a really talented dude and not in the “I’m writing a blog post about him so I have to say that way” NO! If you’ve ever noticed he’s at the side of this site 24/7. I appreciate real creators, he’s not only a rapper but an actor, writer, teacher and of course self-proclaimed “warriorpoet”. A couple of weeks ago I was blessed to be among a select few to listen to Kel’s latest project LNDNWUD. Featured in the Bet Music Matters series and on MTV’s Sucker Free he’s been pretty busy but I connected with him long enough to get some questions answered. Check it out… RC: What brought on the inspiration for this project? (The moment you thought to make this a project about East New York?) KS: I’m a visual dude. And there was a time when most albums were themed around something visual. Not necesarilly a movie but a concept that could be seen, even if only by imagination. With the Barclay’s Center, and Adam Yauch Park, and The East New York Classic becoming one of the top 3 summer tournaments in the city, and more… Brooklyn has been a Hot Topic as of late. I figured, I’d add to it by inserting a theme based project focused on my part of Brooklyn, Brownsville/East New York. RC: Ok, Cool. Why the name LNDNWUD? KS: There’s a Diner in East New York called The Lindenwood Diner. It’s symbolic in many ways so I used that as the flag-ship for the movement. I actually, released a Trailer which gives a vivid description and background of the whole set up. RC: I’ve always past it but never eat there, I gotta try it. But moving on; what’s your favorite song on this Album? Collaboration? & Line? KS: My favorite song is probably “Blue & Green Ball” featuring Lydia Caesar and produced by DJ Static. But my favorite line is probably from Zone C and kinda sums up the mindset of the average East New Yorkian it goes: “Where I’m from it ain’t a whole lot of in-come so when it come-in it’s hard to ration out/ First chance we get to put that potato on the gas pedal we mashin’ out“ RC: Favorite moment of making this album? KS: The listening party. I have a blog www.WarriorPoetBK.com and the people who subscribe to it are my closest supporters. So when I had the project at about 70% done, I hosted a listening party where I invited the first 100 people to respond and I did it in 4 sessions of about 25 people per session. I fed them, gave out champagne and soft drinks and walked them through my entire process. I had them comment on songs and give feedback and so on. For example, the song “Church” now has organs in the track ONLY because someone at the listening party suggested it. That day was hands down, my favorite part of making this album. RC: I don’t remember gettin’ Champagne but…What do you hope people get from it? KS: A cleaner look at Urban Experience and Balance. We’re in a time where some people are keeping it way too real and a lot of stuff that people think are cute are really to our own detriment. In no way do I want to forget where I come from but I want to give people a view into the hood through a slightly different lens. A lens that is more balanced and without giving away too much of the project, I try to be that Balance. RC: Amen. Do You Censor Yourself? Did you write anything and then decide it was too much? KS: Nope. lol RC: Lol KS: I believe the home should be the ultimate place of censorship. Media is designed to push the limit. And they will push as far as society’s morals will let them. As long as the morals and ethics of our own homes are all over the place, then we can’t really hold The Media or the censoring powers accountable. RC: Hmm we’ll have to get back to that topic another day. For now let’s focus on the album. Why the decision to drop the album for free ? KS: Because I’m Kel Spencer and only those who care, care. There is a mixtape dropping every single day. There are 3 dozen videos being posted to WSHH [world Star Hip Hop] every single day. I’m blessed enough in my journey to be an emerging brand and not just a rapper. So I don’t mind positioning myself in the market place in an advantageous way that can allow me to give music away in lieu of selling the rest of my brand. There will also be some music coming that will have to be purchased but at the onset, I want to give people the option, especially since the market is so flooded. RC: You have a video discussing your feelings on giving up music? Talk about that a little and what brought that on and has feelings changed? etc. KS: Yeah, it’s called “A Hard 9″ Pause lol. And it pretty much speaks for itself. There’s creation of art and then there’s the business of art. There are certain frustrations that come with the business of art and I’m not so sure that I want to deal with those things for much longer. I have a plan that I will finish but while working this plan, I will make my decision on my next step. RC: Ok, I know those frustrations well! You’r keepin’ it pretty vague. What’s Next For You? KS: I think I just answered that, my dear lol!! Well, I’m looking forward to what being a BET Music Matters artist means. I want to see what this will be about. And I’ve played a couple of roles in films that will be in film festivals this year so I can’t wait to see how that will play out. And my Pens Of Power program is growing and there are some dope writers and poets and emcees coming out of that as well so I’m just Blessed and looking forward to growth. RC: So I hear you’re about to become a professor? Talk a little about that. KS: Yes. I was approached by 2 schools here in NY to teach Hip Hop Linguistics and The business of Hip Hop. That should be dope. It was the growth of my Pens Of Power program that attracted their eye and it feels good that someone at my age is respected enough by decision makers in education to play that type of role. I’m feeling good about it. Hit Here to download the entire new album LNDNWUD for free or buy the deluxe edition ►

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I previewed the first 3 tracks and said "screw it, I need to download this NOW!!" Even with only hearing the first 3 tracks, I can say this is dope! I'm crazy hyped to hear the whole thing.

GYM CLASS HEROES - Shoot Down The Stars As Cruel As School Children (2006) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JO5u59CrRJc Such a dope album. I listened to this for the first time in awhile. GCH are one of the best things have have happened to Hip-Hop music in the last 10 years.

BOYZ II MEN - Flow Twenty (2012) I love this joint.

That's probably my fav Ice Cube song of the 2000's. Strangely in the mood for 2000's pop this morning. MANDY MOORE - I Like It So Real (1999) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_9pH5YhalQ

He said 15 years he wasn't going to do it. They just want to make "news" by announcing the fact over and over again. I really hope this film falls to pieces before they attempt to make it. I didn't like reading confirmation (again) that they are rebooting MIB. It makes sense that a reboot could be done well, but I feel it's one of the few things FP could do for the rest of his career (until he turned into the Tommy Lee Jones character...lol). He hasn't been choosing many comedies or movies that allow him to give us that Fresh Prince style comedy. I miss that. I think most people do.

She did the dang thang! She sounded great and she especially got comfortable as the performance went on. The mix between her and the band and the background singers was great. I hope this appearance puts a lot of attention on the EP. It's so good and I'd hate to see it get swallowed up by the music on the radio.

Man, I haven't seen that terrible video in forever. They would have been better off splicing old music video footage together to reflect the fact that it was off a Greatest Hits album. TONI BRAXTON + BABYFACE - Hurt You Love, Marriage, & Divorce (2014) This album is great. Expect a review in the next few days.

Yeah, not sure if this is gonna get a CD release. I couldn't find anything saying there were plans to release a physical copy. I certainly wasn't gonna wait. I always wasn't gonna be stingy with $5.

I just want to make sure you have all got the album by now. If not, here's the link on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I3YE5EC/ref=sr_1_1_rd?ie=UTF8&child=B00I3YE8IK&qid=1391482535&sr=1-1%3C/a%3E I'm so happy with this EP. I hope it gets a CD release and that a full album comes in the future. She's performing on Arsenio this week too!

SARA GROVES - Fireflies and Songs Fireflies and Songs (2009)

I was always baffled by that. I mean, Wyclef was even on the same label. I can't imagine what would have made it NOT make the cut. There was extra room on that album, plus "Da Butta" is the most average song I think FP has ever done. I can't imagine a song with Wyclef from 1999 not being amazing. I will say I like FP delivering that rhyme differently in that clip.

I love it. It seems like he's tighter with a lot of people in the music industry now a days. He just seems like he's staying occupied between albums. On a separate note, aren't I remembering that between Big Willie Style and Willennium, he collaborated with Wyclef? The song just never got released.

That's even cooler! Class act!

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I found this article interesting. Christian singer Natalie Grant left the show, even though she was up for an award, because she thought it was tasteless. Christian Grammy Nominee Natalie Grant Walks Out of the Grammys Culture, Email Featured 1,524 comments Christian Contemporary music star Natalie Grant was nominated for two Grammys. Grant was up for Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance for “Alive (Mary Magdelene),” a song she wrote with her husband Bernie Helms, and Best Christian Music Song for the chart-topping “Hurricane.” The couple went to the Grammys proud to represent gospel music. Little did they know when they arrived at the Los Angeles Staples Center that they’d be going to church. To warm up the congregation and open the service, Beyoncé twerked her ample bethonged derriere to the delight of millions. After that, Natalie and Bernie were subjected to Mrs. Carter sitting astride a chair in, shall we say, an extremely come-hither position. Next the high-powered billionaire, Jay-Z ,and his bodacious bride left little to imagination about what goes on in their boudoir when nobody’s looking. From there, Natalie got to see pop star Katy Perry, who used to sing about Jesus. However, since crossing over into showbiz stardom she’s been circling the vortex of hellish behavior for years. Katy, wearing an illuminated Knights Templar cross on her chest, pushed the envelope beyond ‘kissing a girl’ in what even the secular media described as a Satanic Ritual, or at best, witchcraft. Right about that time Natalie and Bernie were probably starting to feel out of place among people winning awards for being “Up all night to ‘Get lucky.’” It’s unclear which debauched performance prompted Natalie Grant and Bernie Helms to call it a night. Hopefully, they were already gone and missed the church-like mockery that was overseen by Reverend Latifah. Wedding music was compliments of a menopausal Madonna on behalf of 34 same- and mixed-sex couples who tied the knot on what’s supposed to be a music awards show. Refusing to pass judgment on the debacle, after she left Natalie had this to say on her Facebook page, which in a few words said so much: We left the Grammy’s early. I’ve many thoughts about the show tonight, most of which are probably better left inside my head. But I’ll say this: I’ve never been more honored to sing about Jesus and for Jesus. And I’ve never been more sure of the path I’ve chosen. Read more at http://theblacksphere.net/2014/01/christian-grammy-nominee-natalie-grant-walks-grammys/#qWUGhvCC7lCGsuKb.99

O-TOWN - Suddenly O2 (2002) I've always loved this song, but haven't listened to it in years. Rich co-wrote the song, which was obvious the first time I heard it because he has an amazing away of writing lyrics that connect to the scene the story paints. He also breaks a huge music rule by changing the lyrics of the chorus at the end of the song. I didn't hate O-Town back in the day (in fact I liked a few of their songs), but I bought this album used for a dollar back in 2003 or 2004 and loved it.

I didn't even realized that video got posted. That was really cool of him to return the favor by doing a video. I hope he knows that we all appreciate it.

You mean people FELL OUT of love with her?

It's a shame that her actions have us rolling our eyes half of the time she opens her mouth. At the same time, she has caught a raw deal more than a few times. I saw this on Global Grind. Say It Isn’t So! “Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air” Star Struggling With Medical Crisis (DETAILS) Jan 28, 2014 By Caitlyn Hitt Just a few short weeks after the world said good-bye to James Avery, aka The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air‘s Uncle Phil, his TV wife Janet Hubert has revealed her own medical issues. Hubert, who played Aunt Viv until 1993, recently filed a lawsuit against the American Federation of Television and Radio Acts and the AFTRA Health Fund, claiming that she’s suffering from “intense spasms” and “strange chattering” that has kept her out of work. “There’s a lot going on health-wise,” Hubert told Radar Online. “I have had a lot of issues over the years, but I’d like my benefits back. That’s all. They’ve sort of denied me some very very important medical things that I need to feel good.” Janet began struggling with her health in 2004 following a visit to a chiropractor, according to court documents. She was treated for “military neck,” a rare condition that causes the loss of spinal curvature. Her treatment was covered by the H&R fund, an employee benefit plan associated with AFTRA. The following year she claims to have developed vertigo so severe she “was unable to drive…and was told to sleep sitting up for six weeks, which she did and which did not help.” Unfortunately, her condition only got worse. Janet claims it wasn’t long before she “began developing a strange ‘chatter’ in her jaw; was unable to comb her hair; could not touch her face; had severe reactions to sound; would awaken with her mouth clenched; could not move her body in a manner she was used to; and found light painful.” “During this time,” according to the documents, “the Plaintiff’s ability to work all but stopped.” Finally she found a cure: “Trigger point injections” into important parts of her muscles. According to Janet, in 2011 H&R sent her a letter stating that they had never intended to pay for her trigger point sessions and that they believed it had been “excessive in terms of frequency and duration.” According to the company, they believed only up to 4 injections per year were “medically necessary” and Janet had gotten 42 since 2010. Janet filed numerous appeals, but had no luck. She “has been unable to afford continuous treatments” with her specialist. Because of this she claims “she has been unable to accept numerous jobs. She has been forced to go on disability.” The actress filed the lawsuit last year in L.A. and requested a jury trial to get her unpaid benefits, attorneys fees and cost, retroactive relief for her treatments and an order forcing H&R to pay for forthcoming treatments. http://globalgrind.com/2014/01/28/janet-hubert-fresh-prince-of-bel-air-star-medical-issues-spasms-details/

I agree that Authentic should have been nominated, but holding the Grammy's to any kind of standard is ridiculous. We know commercial rap sucks. You can only discuss a certain topic for so long. I suggest that we celebrate the fact that Macklemore is dope and is a forward-thinking emcee. We haven't been able to celebrate that in a long time. People say Kendrick should have won something, but to be honest, I personally feel his overrated from what I heard. I don't know who all the nominees were, but I'm happy to see A. Keys won't for "Girl On Fire." I love that JT's "Pusher Love GIrl" won R&B song. Pharrell winning as a producer and "Suit & Tie" winning for the music video award satisfies me as well. Mandisa winning in the Christian category is great, but I was really hoping Britt Nicole would win something (I'm not even sure if she was nominated).

Grammy Awards 2014 winners By Style Staff, Published: January 26 Album of the Year: “Random Access Memories,” Daft Punk Gallery Grammy Awards red carpet: Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and Paris Hilton: Fashion at the 56th annual Grammy Awards was uncharacteristically mellow, a departure from an awards show that is typically defined by over-the-top arrivals and gowns. — Cara Kelly Video Katy Perry, Pharrell, Taylor Swift, Pink, Madonna and more light up the red carpet at the 56th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Record of the Year: “Get Lucky” Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams & Nile Rodgers Song of the year: “Royals” Joel Little & Ella Yelich O'Connor (Lorde) Best country album: “Same Trailer Different Park” Kasey Musgraves Best pop vocal album: “Unorthodox Jukebox” Bruno Mars Best rap/sung collaboration: “Holy Grail” Jay Z featuring Justin Timberlake Best pop solo performance: “Royals” Lorde Best pop duo/group performance: “Get Lucky” Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams & Nile Rodgers Best rock song: “Cut me some slack” Dave Grohl, Paul McCartney, Krist Novoselic & Pat Smear Best new artist: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Best music film: “Live Kisses,” Paul McCartney Best music video: “Suit and Tie,” Justin Timberlake featuring Jay Z Producer of the year, non-classical: Pharrell Williams Best R&B album: “Girl On Fire,” Alicia Keys Best rap performance:“Thrift Shop,” Macklemore and Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz Best rap song: “Thrift Shop” Ben Haggerty & Ryan Lewis Best rap album: “The Heist,” Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Best rock performance: “Radioactive,” Imagine Dragons Best metal performance: “God Is Dead?,” Black Sabbath Best rock album: “Celebration Day,” Led Zeppelin Best alternative music album: “Modern Vampires Of The City,” Vampire Weekend Best country solo performance: “Wagon Wheel,” Darius Rucker Best country duo/group performance: “From This Valley,” The Civil Wars Best country song: “Merry Go 'Round,” Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves and Josh Osborne Best american roots song: “Love Has Come For You,” Edie Brickell and Steve Martin Best americana album: “Old Yellow Moon,” Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell Best bluegrass album: “The Streets Of Baltimore,” Del McCoury Band Best blues album: “Get Up!,” Ben Harper with Charlie Musselwhite Best folk album: “My Favorite Picture Of You,” Guy Clark Best regional roots music album: “Dockside Sessions,” Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience Best pop instrumental album: “Steppin’ Out,” Herb Alpert Best traditional pop vocal album: “To Be Loved,” Michael Buble Best new age album: “Love’s River,” Laura Sullivan Best improvised jazz solo: “Orbits,” Wayne Shorter Best jazz vocal album: “Liquid Spirit,” Gregory Porter Best jazz instrumental album: “Money Jungle: Provocative In Blue,” Terri Lyne Carrington Best large jazz ensemble album: “Night In Calisia,” Randy Brecker, Włodek Pawlik Trio & Kalisz Philharmonic Best latin jazz album: “Song For Maura” Paquito D'Rivera And Trio Corrente Best gospel/contemporary christian music performance: “Break Every Chain [Live],” Tasha Cobbs Best gospel song: “If He Did It Before . . . Same God [Live],” Tye Tribbett Best contemporary christian music song: “Overcomer,” David Garcia, Ben Glover & Christopher Stevens, songwriters (Mandisa) Best gospel album: “Greater Than [Live],” Tye Tribbett Best contemporary christian music album: “Overcomer,” Mandisa Best latin pop album: “Vida,” Draco Rosa Best latin rock, urban or alternative album: “Treinta Días,” La Santa Cecilia Best regional mexican music album (including tejano): “A Mi Manera,” Mariachi Divas De Cindy Shea Best tropical latin album: “Pacific Mambo Orchestra,” Pacific Mambo Orchestra Best reggae album: “Ziggy Marley In Concert,” Ziggy Marley Best world music album: “Savor Flamenco,” Gipsy Kings and “Live: Singing For Peace Around The World,” Ladysmith Black Mambazo Best children’s album: “Throw a Penny In The Wishing Well,” Jennifer Gasoi Best spoken word album (includes poetry, audio books & storytelling): “America Again: Re-becoming The Greatness We Never Weren’t,” Stephen Colbert Best instrumental composition: “Pensamientos For Solo Alto Saxophone And Chamber Orchestra,” Clare Fischer, composer Best instrumental arrangement: “On Green Dolphin Street,” Gordon Goodwin, arranger Best instrumental arrangement accompanying vocalist(s): “Swing Low,” Gil Goldstein, arranger (Bobby McFerrin & Esperanza Spalding) Best recording package: “Long Night Moon,” Sarah Dodds and Shauna Dodds, art directors (Reckless Kelly) Best boxed or special limited edition package: “Wings Over America (Deluxe Edition),” Simon Earith and James Musgrave, art directors (Paul McCartney And Wings) Best album notes: “Afro Blue Impressions (Remastered & Expanded),” Neil Tesser, album notes writer (John Coltrane) Best Historical Album: “Charlie Is My Darling — Ireland 1965” and “The Complete Sussex and Columbia Albums” Best engineered album, non-classical: “Random Access Memories,” Peter Franco, Mick Guzauski, Florian Lagatta and Daniel Lerner, engineers; Antoine “Chab” Chabert, Bob Ludwig, mastering engineers (Daft Punk) Best remixed recording, non-classical: “Summertime Sadness (Cedric Gervais Remix),” Cedric Gervais, remixer (Lana Del Rey) Best surround sound album:”Live Kisses,” Al Schmitt, surround mix engineer; Tommy LiPuma, surround producer (Paul McCartney) Best engineered album, classical: “Winter Morning Walks,” David Frost, Brian Losch and Tim Martyn, engineers; Tim Martyn, mastering engineer (Dawn Upshaw, Maria Schneider, Australian Chamber Orchestra and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra) Producer of the year, classical: David Frost Best orchestral performance: “Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 4,” Osmo Vänskä, conductor Best opera recording: “Adès: The Tempest,” Thomas Adès, conductor; Simon Keenlyside, Isabel Leonard, Audrey Luna and Alan Oke; Jay David Saks, producer Best choral performance: “Pärt: Adam’s Lament,” Tõnu Kaljuste, conductor Best chamber music/small ensemble performance: “Roomful Of Teeth,” Brad Wells and Roomful Of Teeth Best classical instrumental solo: “Corigliano: Conjurer - Concerto For Percussionist and String Orchestra,” featuring Evelyn Glennie and the Albany Symphony Orchestra Best classical vocal solo: “Winter Morning Walks,” Dawn Upshaw Best classical compendium: “Hindemith: Violinkonzert; Symphonic Metamorphosis; Konzertmusik,” Christoph Eschenbach, conductor Best contemporary classical composition: “Schneider, Maria: Winter Morning Walks,” Maria Schneider, composer Best comedy album: “Calm Down Gurrl,” Kathy Griffin Best musical theater album: “Kinky Boots” Best compilation soundtrack for visual media: “Sound City: Real To Reel” Best score soundtrack for visual media: “Skyfall,” Thomas Newman, composer Best song written for visual media: “Skyfall,” Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth Best dance recording: “Clarity,” Zedd featuring Foxes Best dance/electronica album: “Random Access Memories,” Daft Punk Best R&B performance: “Something,” Snarky Puppy With Lalah Hathaway Best traditional r&b performance: “Please Come Home,” Gary Clark Jr. Best R&B song: “Pusher Love Girl,” James Fauntleroy, Jerome Harmon, Timothy Mosley and Justin Timberlake Best urban contemporary album: “Unapologetic,” Rihanna

Tatyana Ali is the perfect human being.

Haven't watched this since it aired. Jazzy got like NO camera time.