Old Skool Joint of the Week #13 (?)

Brandy and Monica - The Boy Is Mine

Since the last post on this blog was about two fabulous women getting together and collaborating, I figured I'd choose something that was along the same lines (though I wouldn't say these two are as fabulous as Beyonce or Gaga, but when I was 11 I had slightly different standards).

So let me take you all back 11 years (can you believe it's been that long?) to a time where Brandy and Monica were two of the hottest ladies in the R&B world. Naturally, they obviously had to be rivals and completely hate eachother. What better way to clear the air than to get together and record a track about how you're both in love with the same man?

Now, I don't know if anyone else spent hours at sleepovers working out routines with their childhood "bffs," but I know I sure as hell did. I always played the part of Brandy, partially because she was my favourite but mostly because at one point I had the braids.

So let's all take a few minutes to relive our past and enjoy the video (and make sure to note how 90s it is, from the decor, to the Jerry Springer on the tv, to the cameo by Mekhi Phifer):



DL: Brandy (Feat. Monica) - The Boy Is Mine

Tell 'em B.

Beyonce just announced to the world, what WhoWhatWear and I have known for months: exposed garters are on the come up. Also? they're trashy, AND bananas. Also? BEYONCE IS AMAZING.

If you're anything like me, and you've been obsessed with lingerie since you first grew a pair (for me, it was last month and I use the term "pair" loosely), you've probably been on the hunt for a dope garter belt to rock with your oversized cardigan/sweater/tshirt, sheer thigh highs, and ankle boots (not at all like a fucking hipster).


(see? no hipster bidness here)
Dior Haute Couture Spring 2009

Not exactly a look for everyone (ex: fail)... But there is no denying, homegirl looks bananas amazing in this one. I mean, no one chews gum quite like Beyonce can. To quote Lady Gaga, "Get 'em B".
DL: Beyonce - Video Phone (Extended Remix Feat. Lady Gaga)
Source: Style.com; onsmash.com

Old Skool Joint(s) of the Week

Ace of Base

If you are anything like me you've been jamming to Lady Gaga's "Alejandro" ever since the day the demo leaked (I promise this is relevant and not just an excuse to talk about Gaga). Assuming you were alive in the mid-90s and paid even the slightest attention to pop music you probably remember a little Swedish group called Ace of Base. Since everyone and their mama has pointed out the fact that "Alejandro" sounds a hell of a lot like an Ace of Base track, it felt like the the right time to revisit them.

I'm throwing up the video for "Beautiful Life" because it was their, um, most visually appealing and features one of my favourite uses of a green screen. I mean, they fly through a soccer field, a bar fight, and a night club, and it all looks so realistic! Everyone should be taking notes for their future recession-proof videos.




DL: Ace of Base - Beautiful Life
DL: Ace of Base - All That she Wants

What I'm Turning: Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm so hard...

Clipse - Doorman

Let's be real, while Rihanna's new song, Hard, is not exactly an accurate description of the "edgy" little island girl (really, it's as if I sang that song), it's really the only word I can use to describe Clipse's new joint, Doorman.

I haven't loved a Pharrell or The Neptunes production in a while. Maybe Pharrell's been too caught up in the fashion game, and maybe Chad has been to busy being my only Filipino boyfriend, to really focus on producing good music --who knows. Irregardless, it seems like they might be back... because this is how you make a dope mother fucking song --producers, take note.

Granted, I'm not hard to please (ex: I spent a week listening/dancing to the entire New Boyz record), but I think even hip hop heads (like me) will agree this goes in. But if this shit, and Popular Demand (Popeye's), are any indication of what Till The Casket Drops as a whole, has in store for us on December 8 (I'm going to pretend Eyes on Me never happened), I might be making the frantic run to my local music store, and take part in the movement... because this song is unreal.

DL: Clipse - Doorman

The Greatest Music Video Of All Time

I didn't mean to push that GAP post down about 5 seconds after it was posted, but I just had to make sure everybody has had the opportunity to experience the glory that is Zapp and Roger's "Computer Love." In your face N'SYNC, these guys were singing about getting it on virtually YEARS before "Digital Get Down."

I Love Christmas at The Gap

I know it's not December yet, but I seen so many Christmas commercials on TV lately (what up with that America? ya'll ain't even had your Thanksgiving yet?), that I couldn't resist throwing up my favorite one from the Gap last year. Fun song, with some dope cameos by the Dixie Chicks and two of my boyfriends: Trey Songz and Romany Malco. Also, am I the only one who gets a Gap sweater at Christmas every year?

I really need to rip this shit, and play it when we decorate our tree next week (I'm filipino. We put it up early.)

DL: Dixie Chicks - I'm Not Ready to Make Nice

What We're Turning

Wale - "Attention Deficit"

I’ve been following Wale’s career for a while, ever since the now defunct Good Weather For Airstrike’s posted Nike Boots and I couldn’t get it out of my head. So to say I’ve been looking forward to this album might be a bit of an understatement. I had pretty high expectations too since Wale’s put out some seriously good tracks over the past four years that have all been leading up to this major label debut. I’m glad to say that when I listened to this record last mont… I mean today (because I would never ever download a leak because that’s obviously very very wrong) I was not disappointed.

It might be because I’m so sick of listening to hip-hop that’s been auto-tuned to death that Wale’s record feels so fresh, but either way I do think he’s brining something new to the table. He also touches on some serious issues on this record reminding all those fools out there that sometimes it’s okay to get emotional on a record. “Shades” and “Contemplate” stand out, and so does the laid back Hollywood story “90210” (Which he claimed was about Paris Hilton on his Twitter, but which we think might as well be about Lindsay Lohan. I mean, it wouldn’t be the first time he rapped about her). Now don’t get it twisted, he still brings the party on this record. If “Pretty Girls” or “World Tour” don't get you up out of your seat then I don’t know what the hell is wrong with you.

[She is 90210]

Including the iTunes only “My Sweetie” (which I think should have been an album cut) for your listening pleasure, but you really should get out there to support good music and pick this one up. If your store isn’t stocking it, demand that they do because this album deserves a chance to be heard.

DL: Wale - My Sweetie

Old Skool Joint of the Week #11

Billy Joel - The River of Dreams

Usually when I get the urge to blog but don't really know what I want to write about, I just put my "OMG the 90s" playlist on shuffle and skip through until a song comes on that gets me excited. Now, if I were making a list of songs from the early 90s that I absolutely loved, this probably wouldn't have even crossed my mind. There's nothing "cool" about this week's song. I don't think all the 6 year olds were grooving to this in their bedrooms, nor do I think this would ever fill a dance floor, but the instant I heard this one I knew it had to go up.

Way back in '93 my parents drove a 1980-something Ford Thunderbird with no FM radio, and nothing as high tech as a tape deck, so we had to deal with whatever the AM dial would give us. I remember this song being a staple on 14 CFUN when they used to actually play music so this one is tied up with all sorts of childhood memories. Hopefully, some of you feel the same way.


Billy Joel - The River Of Dreams (Official Music Video)

DL (mp3): Billy Joel - The River of Dreams