Archive for the 'Social Commentary' Category

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Celebrity Financial Mistakes (Learn From Their Mistakes)

Published on March 16, 2009 in Productivity and Social Commentary. Closed Tags: , , , .

imageWhat does Michael Jackson, MC Hammer, Wesley Snipes, Naomi Campbell, Mike Tyson and Issac Hayes all have in common? Well, for one, they are all notable celebrities… that have trouble with their finances in one form or another. With Michael Jackson selling off Neverland and memorabilia, one would think “wait a minute. Isn’t he rich?”

(More after the jump)

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How To Be A Successful Artist Using Social Media (or Not)

Published on March 13, 2009 in New Media & Software and Social Commentary. Comments Tags: , , , .

image So, you’ve done a few shows, produced a few tracks and all of your friends are telling you to should share your talent with the world. You created a few user accounts on MySpace, Facebook, Twitter & ReverbNation, just to name a few. After setting up them and uploading your tracks, you hope that someone will take notice. After 4 weeks, you realize no one notices you or your music. You decide to take bigger steps, but how?

Well, I’ve got a few ideas to help you get your music/message to as many people as possible. Just follow these tips to get the numbers you are looking for: Continue reading ‘How To Be A Successful Artist Using Social Media (or Not)’

The Difference Between “White Boys” & Black Men

Published on March 9, 2009 in Social Commentary. Comments Tags: , , , .

image

Update (March 09, 7:50 PM): This is a massive re-edit. I decided to cut the blog entry shorter. Please refer to the post in question to is what got me upset and why I decided to respond to this issue.

So, I visited Alphanista, a blog that’s target towards women (but they welcome men to post comments). I love commenting on their from time-to-time because I have a good friendship with the Maryann Reid. Recently, she posted a guest blog post by Nikki Harris (soon to be Nikki Harris-Abramson in 6 months or less if she can help herself). This post is titled “Why I Date White And I’m Alrrright.”

Now, I’m not going to knock her for dating nor marrying said white, Jewish boy (her words, not mine). What I am going to knock is her post, basically bashing the black man (even thought she stated she loves black men). So, I have to take a stance on the issue. Usually, I have to stand up to a white woman about black women. Now, I gotta stand up to a black woman about her twisted views about some black men. At first, I was going to do it as a comment, but instead, I will straighten this out on my own terms.

Continue reading ‘The Difference Between “White Boys” & Black Men’

ALBe Back – Super Negro (Are We Post-Racial?)

Published on February 26, 2009 in Entertainment and Social Commentary. Closed Tags: , , , , , .

I’m so mature that my face can rearrange in days
change in ways that cops everyday need to stop me and see my ID

I’m currently living in Westchester. Somewhere in Peekskill, Montrose, around one of those places. It’s still “the real boondocks”. As a black man (temporary) living here, I think the neighborhoods are pretty much part of the American Dream. One time, coming back from NYC one late night, I walked down to where I was staying at. In order to get to there, I have to walk a mile & a half, which would take me about 30 minutes. While I was walking, the Highway Patrol spotted me. and they were going in one direction. I thought nothing of it, until 3 minutes later when they turned back to stop me. They asked me where I was going. I told them I was heading to where I “rest my head at”. They asked me if I got a home here, and I told them “no, because I’m only staying here for a while. It’s not ‘home’ to me.” Then they ask for Identification, which I gave to them. Afterward the unwarranted interrogation (questioning me about things on my own ID), I asked them for a ride, which they brush me off by saying “have a good night and get to your destination and stay put”. I almost wanted to say “why sir? Mr. Lincoln says I was free,” but kept my mouth shut.

While getting stop for an ID isn’t really something to complain about, it’s all part of the “black experience” here in the United States. It’s almost as if they want to prevent me from some imaginary crime they thought I was going to commit simply because I don’t belong there.

Going around saying “we’re post-racial” is a lame catch-all for saying “okay, we elected one of your people to the highest office of our (as in, we own this ish, you’re just visiting) great nation. So, we’re even, right?” They say this as if people that once thought that being black anything was evil now think that being black is cool. Like we have a certain swagger that makes us magical. Yet, we still have stereotypes attached to us. We are naturally talented in sports & entertainment. We are too laid back & ducked normal responsibilities (Like paying the bills). We’re the last one that people want in their family, but the first ones they will look at when someone’s wallet was stolen. Did these stereotypes disappeared and did racial profiling ended? I must have been the last one to get that memo. So, when someone asked that question, I pulled up this video that sums up the “black experience” in the USA.

Back in 2000-something, I saw ALBe Back (formerly spelled Al B. Back) performed this piece on Def Poetry. He explains how his observers look at him as though he has “superhuman powers”. He made a lot of interesting points poetically. Even thought he’s one of the few poets who read his poem, he makes up for the reading by talking in a “Superman” narrator voice.   At the end of the poem, he wishes that everyone looks at him the same way most of us wishes others outside our race can look at us.

Update (10:04 AM): I forgot to add this poet’s myspace page.

Myspace.com/albemusic

Also, I made a mistake in the spelling of his name. His name is spelled “ALBe Back” not “Al B. Back”. FYI, he’s just released his first album called “Hi.” Check it out.

Update #2 (11:57 PM): Caught a few grammar  mistakes. I usually read backwards before posting. I need to read backwards twice.

Celebrities That Are Worse Than Chris Brown (Updated)

Published on February 11, 2009 in Entertainment and Social Commentary. Comments Tags: , , , , , , , .

chris-brown_rihanna-kiss Chances are, Chris Brown made a bad decision to physically abuse fellow rising star, Rihanna. It’s a mistake that may cost him in the short-term…

… however, I hate it when I hear that this is a “career ending” move. Some people still forget that he’s 19 and if he does any type of jail time, his jail time will be minor compare to other celebrities. There’s no need to throw a tantrum, especially when both parties are resolving it behind close doors. I believe that a resolution is possible, because this is a “domestic abuse case” after all. It’s not like they are sworn enemies. But once again, this is not a “career ending” move, even if they started pulling his songs off and his ads out.

To illustrate my point, let’s take a look at some celebrities who had done worse than Chris Brown and either rebounded, their career is currently in limbo, or now questionable:

  • Amy Winehouse
    She’s a known crack fiend. Was banned from getting a work visa at one point. Currently, she’s a wild card.
  • Mystikal
    Currently serving a six year sentence and must register as a sex offender.
  • Michael Vick (Former NFL Quarterback)
    Currently serving time for illegal dog fightings. Even thought he will be capable of playing when he is release later this year, no NFL team may take him back.
  • Remy Ma
    Currently serving 8 years for an attempted murder. By the time she is release, she will not be as hot as going in and her child will be almost an adult.
  • Robert Downey, Jr.
    Arrested multiple times for substance abuse. Recovered is now commanding major roles (Iron Man, Tropic Thunder)
  • Shyne
    10 years for 1st degree assult and reckless endangerment. Schedule for release in 2011. Fanbase in tact? We’ll see.
  • Lil’ Kim
    Served in July 2005 under a “a year and a day” sentences for lying to a grand jury about a 2001 shooting. Rebounded simply because she’s linked to Notorious B.I.G.
  • R. Kelly
    Was involved in a lot of legal cases, and yet, he’s doing alright for himself. Only thing he lost from it was a few fans, a stigma grew around him about underage women, and his now ex-wife.
  • Da Brat
    Three years behind bars, seven years of probation and 200 hours of community service Friday morning (August 22) for striking a woman in the face with a rum bottle.

So, with very little details, maybe y’all should chill the eff out with Chris Brown.

I would talk about Rihanna and this argument about letting her be a spokesperson for “domestic abuse”, but here’s my very brief answer; if Rihanna was hit 200 times during the last year by Chris Brown in a non-sexual way that she didn’t approve of, then by all means, let her at it. For an argument that got too emotional & went out of control one time? It doesn’t count. Whitney Huston, on the other hand…

Updated (2.13.09 @ 1:44 AM): I can admit when I’m wrong. I should have compare Chris Brown to people who rebounded from domestic violence not random crimes like this report did.

This was more of a “rebound” PR type post that was written before later items were reveal. So, let me clear a few things:

  • Unless Rihanna was abused multiple times, I still think it’s a PR spin to make her spokesperson. There’s women who suffer from this abuse for years. There’s men who suffered from this for years, mentally as well as physically.  I rather see Whitney Huston represent this because her case is documented well. Rihanna, not so much. It’s a time factor with me. Sure, she can speak on about being a victim. It’s no laughing matter.
  • Note the time I published it. It was on the 11th. I wrote my post on the 10th. This was in sync to publish. Not a good idea for a time sensitive post. My bad. Also, if you might have notice, I don’t follow this story as much as the average fan would. Sure I read up about it, but I was dealing with the facts that was given at the time.
  • So, why did I take this from a PR perspective? Because basically, this is what his PR is doing. I usually take a different angle on things. This is not really a media blog, but a personal blog that covers media issues.
  • Keep in mind that there’s people who’s pretty much want to remain factual. They will be covering this more deeply than I will. I support listening to both sides of the story.
  • There’s a photo of Rihanna surfacing on the web of her abused. But this photo was doctored. No matter what, this is a police matter and will be treated as such. Taking a quote from Fly Life Style “Per LA County rules – Brown’s mugshot will NOT be released. And per the CA Victims Protection Act, neither will pictures of Rihanna.”
  • Google this story. You’ll notice that it gets weirder and weirder and weirder. Sure these are all gossip, but you gotta admit… it makes for good fiction.

This is basically my unusual way of saying “let’s keep this in perspective”. When you break it down, it’s simple… Man hurt woman. Until further information is out there, that’s what it sounds like. The blogs I referenced are maintained by women, who are just as pissed about the media coverage as I am.

I will be covering the social media aspect and how people are taking advantage of milking this story. There’s blogs that getting their shine. I’m at least trying to get you to see another point, not just mindlessly feeding you overblown crap. So, please, keep in mind… I love you people, I thank you for visiting, but these are my personal opinions and I’m not a professional blogger, nor will ever pretend to be.

In my comments, I made a statements saying Chris Brown needs to stand up and take responsibility for his actions. I stand by those comments…

… but I’m also noticing that there’s something weird about this WHOLE thing. It just don’t sit right with me. Remember, we are in the United States and what can be simple can become very, very complex.

I’m just offering my view point. And while it maybe a poorly constructed viewpoint, it’s one nevertheless. I will be revisiting the topic, but from an case study view. I DO study trends after all.

If I offend you with my viewpoint, I apologize for offending you. I won’t apologize for my viewpoint, however. But like I say, this is “thought remixer” and I can change my views at anytime. Just show me what I need to see… proof from creditable sources… the people involved.