Topic Of Conversation
M.D. Wright
3.10.10
Let me get off real quick no homo. I've been having tons of discussions of late -- especially the past six months (more or less LISTENING to people vent, watching situations go down, rather than my talking -- because I'm actually very much tired of beating the proverbial dead horse -- which is what it is in my opinion). Given that I am really sick of the discussion, I'm just going to put it all out there -- where I stand on the whole Male vs. Female dynamic in relationships and break it all down to you. This way, I don't have to constantly respond to 71 notifications left on someone's status about this, that or the third.
And the topic is this saying "Nice Guys Finish Last".
I hate that line. It's stupid. People can argue its validity all day, but then again, it comes down to being a values judgment and very much subjective.
Example: DEFINE "NICE".
Everyone's meaning will differ. Some will say being nice (for all intents and purposes) amounts to being a pushover, a doormat and fearful, which is the reason for the "nicety", rather than being courteous, pleasant and kind-hearted CONSCIOUSLY although maintaining the ability and willingness to express the converse if required. Some people are nice because they are scared to confront others and don't want to be contentious. Others are nice because they want to be treated the same way, even though they can get in your ass if they needed to/felt like it.
But do "Nice Guys" really finish last? Do they even finish at ALL in 2010? You tell me.
My stance on it is thus:
There are (in terms of character makeup, persona, etc.) three types of women and two types of men when it comes to relationships and dealing with one another.
WOMEN:
1. Strong-willed, take no nonsense off anyone, but can still be loving and are cherished by those closest to her.
EXAMPLE: These are usually women from a generation or two ago, and before. RARELY will you find this nowadays in a woman 35 and younger.
2. Passive, timid, painfully shy, acting as a doormat and reluctant to confront those who do wrong unto them.
EXAMPLE: A good number of women nowadays, especially those so desperate for attention and "love" that they settle and end up with someone who neither appreciates nor respects them.
3. Bull-headed, smart, financially settled and doing her own thing, but struggles in the relationship department -- claiming they want a lasting relationship, but lacking the knowledge and wisdom to begin such an endeavor.
EXAMPLE: A burgeoning group of women -- mostly of this current generation (AND GOD HELP US, the one coming along behind this one). Everything is about status, gender debates and "equality" (i.e. punish innocent men for the societal ills of thousands of years, just so that they can have their way in every situation, as they see fit).
For sure, this isn't fool proof, but that covers 97.6% of all women. I do not have empirical evidence to support that percentage, but my gut says so and that's that. The few who don't fit any of those three fields are happily married or happily single.
MEN:
1. Dogs.
EXAMPLE: Most men nowadays, because society makes women feel like they have to be objects in order to attain the attention that most women starve for to begin with, thereby cheapening themselves and lessening their respective self-worths -- and, as a by-product, more and more men feel less of a desire nor a need to commit to any type of relationship whatsoever, when everything they can get from such a relationship is readily available from a good number of women at any given time via phone call, text, FACEBOOK or what have you.
2. Men of standards.
EXAMPLE: A dying breed, the "punished" type that I spoke about in Bullet Point #3 in the WOMEN section, some are like #2 in the WOMEN section, passive, timid, etc., lack any assertion skills whatsoever when it comes to dealing with women, but a good number were raised to respect women, without being pussy-whipped and hen-picked, being gentlemen, without being pushovers and sherms. Quite often, men who are labeled as "nice guys" (a euphemism for being soft, a pushover, etc.) are capable of handling their business (and actually put in WORK/HAVE BODIES, whereas the biggest talkers/"bad boys" don't exactly live up to the hype they give off) and are anything but. In a way, these men are a lot like the WOMEN #1 group. They are rare and a dying breed, because society is making it so.
Men are complicated and simple at the same time. With us, you either have standards (whether they be moral or faith-based) or you're just a douche/asshole/complete dog. There's really no in-between. Some may try to play both sides of the fence, but they fail epically and everyone gives them the vaunted Price Is Right Fail Horn as a result. Men AND women spot those types from a mile away and neither gives such a man any respect.
NOW -- how this all shakes out:
WOMAN #1 runs into MAN #1
She's not going for his bull and lets him know off the top how it's going to be. He has two options if she doesn't cut his ass off already: a) fake like he's going to abide by it and inevitably get exposed or b) shape up. Since he's what he is to the core, he's more than likely going to do the former rather than the latter. WOMEN CANNOT CHANGE A MAN. Let's make this clear. I will not argue this. It will never be done. You can INFLUENCE him to change, but until he is sternly desirous of doing so, he WILL NOT. You can even be the IMPETUS for change, but you cannot make him change. I feel very strongly about this. I bring it up, because so many women want a fixer-upper man without readily admitting it (for fear of how they will be judged by family members and peers -- imagine if your friend, daughter or what have you comes home and says instead of "I want a good man, a man who I can trust, will be faithful and will work with me like a team in a relationship, etc. etc. etc." -- "Nah, I want this bum ass n---a over here who ain't really about nothing... no job, no desire to get one, no education, hates the idea of going to college or DEAR GOD FINISHING HIGH SCHOOL/GED even... drives my car everywhere, eats up my food, cheats on me -- all so I can fix him up and make him into that good man eventually -- you know, because my female nurturing instincts are just that wavy". You'd look her in the face and probably deck her if you're her mother. But even though many women won't openly say that, their ACTIONS DO.
I digress.
WOMAN #1 runs into MAN #2
Now, depending on whether he's a shemp or a gentleman, the way this can pan out varies greatly. She'd walk all over the shemp and claim he's "too nice". This does happen. It was more common in a time when men ruled the workplace and the home was where the woman had the say about how the children are to be raised, who does what, who spends this, that and the third. It has obviously changed nowadays, but rarely do you see such a woman happy with such a passive, unmotivated man.
However, the "man of standard and WOMAN #1 can work, because they both have the same foundational standards and are most likely looking for many of the same things. The wrench that gets thrown into play is BAGGAGE. One or both of them could have been hurt in previous relationships and as a result, WALLS are built. Not sheet rock walls that can be easily torn down, but those WOMEN OF BREWSTER PLACE type walls, where you have to chisel DAILY, bit by bit, tiring yourself out, wearing your nerves thin, always dealing with their insecurities, misconstruing of the slightest thing that you say that reminds them of a past failed relationship and persevere through some real bullshit just to get to the core of the person who was ruined by someone who didn't appreciate them to begin with. THIS, is very common.
And many times, from all of the talks I've had with women who fit this billing and men (myself included) who fit this billing, it seems like both the women and the men in WOMAN #1/MAN #2 situations have been in hurtful relationships in the past that have caused long-term damage and they've built up walls as a result. Unfortunate, but that's life in an imperfect world with imperfect (read: sinful) human beings.
This is where my argument comes in, and the question about "Nice Guys" even existing to begin with. If you're a gentleman (the non-pushover/backbone-having type), you are going to run into a woman who perceives that as weakness and will take advantage of it -- and if you say you haven't been taken advantage of you're either 1) LYING THROUGH YOUR OFF-WHITE/STUCCO COLORED TEETH or 2) built up walls to make sure she, nor any other woman can ever hurt you unless you hurt them first. It's just a matter of WHEN it happens in your life. Better to happen earlier than later, although in certain scenarios, that can lead MAN #2 to become like MAN #1, which is also VERY COMMON. Women feel increasingly free to conduct themselves (within the context of relationships with men) the way men have historically done. Hey, I'm no hater, that's the game. Just don't come around these parts with that shit because I'm done playing and on the right day you might rue the day you met me if you try to play me ha. But what happens is that they are cheating on the guy who, despite all the women who throw themselves at him, forsakes all of that and commits to ONE WOMAN. A difficult task to say the least. And sure, it is just as easy for women to be the same way, but a man committing to a woman is HARDER than for a woman to commit to a man, because 1) women are more emotionally-driven than men are -- if you don't agree with this, go play in peak hour Belt Parkway traffic and 2) as a by-product, men are more visual and physically-driven, and with the aforementioned socialization that has taken place between men and women and how mass media has furthered this dynamic, it is even MORE difficult for a man to commit.
All this leads me to one salient point. WOMEN: if you have a man who is willing to do those things, CLING to him and don't go around acting like a dumb slag, taking him for granted. I see it all the time. Had it happen to me on a few occasions, and I will say that is the best way to turn a man into a complete asshole and an out and out dog. For one, he's going to immediately regret turning down all the neck he was offered, all the chances he had to beat so and so and so and so's homegirl and so forth. He's going to be angry that he spent all that time in a futile exercise, and he's going to jump the fence. Some never make it back across that fence. But if women ever want to wonder why men become dogs, that's why.
I will readily admit even after saying all these things that women are only as good or evil as the men around them are. Where the men go (even feminists have to accept this, and there isn't a ACLU or liberal social group out there that can undo this fact), the women follow. If men are largely moral, faithful and upstanding, so are the women. If men are vile, lustful, lascivious and untrustworthy, women will largely become the same way (or begin "experimenting" with other women, which is quite common in 2010 and is another topic for another day completely).
WOMAN #3 runs into MAN #2
... and it's a train wreck for the most part. Unless he's a pushover, ugly, out of shape, low self-esteem and largely unmotivated (the type of man WOMAN #3 claims to hate dealing with -- but the only one with which she can actually conduct herself in the manner of the label affixed to her), this has no way of working out.
Why, you ask?
Such a woman infringes on general principles that a "Man of Standard" lives by. I can hear the chirping and heckles from skeptical and cynical women, but truthfully, more of these men exist than you realize -- and THAT is another topic for another day altogether -- just accept it as fact and learn to recognize them apart from "all the others", because there are telling signs and most of you miss them when they're staring you right in the face.
At any rate, all the bragging about income, job status, zip code, etc. and bringing home such a combative attitude into a relationship does not sit well with MAN #2. They will constantly butt heads, whether she has more material wealth or education than he does or not. They are effectively competing against one another when they should be competing against the world TOGETHER. I've been in this situation also. Some people know how that ended, but I dare someone to not find 10 instances just like it and damn if it didn't shake out the same way as it did with me. I don't want to give details for privacy/good form reasons, but those who know, know.
The saying, "there's someone for everyone" isn't really true, either, while we're at it. Not everyone wants to even be in a relationship, first of all. Then we have to discuss the discrepancies between the number of available women vs. the number of available men and all of the subgroups that have developed amongst THOSE. It's a long, winding maze and all ends at the same supposition -- THE SAYING IS NOT TRUE.
But looking over these character types, it is a bit easier to see how and why these gender battles continue to take place and with more frequency now than ever.
Ideally, WOMAN #1 and (healthy with a spine) MAN #2 run into one another.
But then again, given how rare they are respectively, how often does THAT happen?
All the more reason to realize who you're dealing with early on and either cut your losses or CLING to them if everything else that matters to you both is agreeable. It is amazing how many people throw away relationships over trivial, materialistic, superficial and downright stupid things.
If you're a good woman and you've got a good man and you know it, why are you going to violate the 80/20 rule by going and getting with some other guy because he may make a little more money and be willing to do these outrageous things for you that you never made clear to the man you actually HAVE in the first place?
If you're a good man and you've got a good woman and you know it, why risk it for some smut who, while probably possessing a couple of STDs, and maybe another that yet has a name, will probably try to Turkey Baste your ass and have you up for the next 18-23 years? Is it really worth all that? And the grief it will cause the woman who stuck by you up until that point, through thick and thin?
Whenever God blesses me with the woman who will appreciate me for who I am, the sentiment will be reciprocated, but I wrote all of these things just to say this:
I WONDER ABOUT PEOPLE SOMETIMES.
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DISCUSS>>>
As politically incorrect as I wanna be.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Where I Am Right Now
Where I Am Right Now
M.D. Wright
3.9.10
***EDITOR'S NOTE: Updates -- new series coming in April, will continue some of the previous series from 2009 and January/February 2010 later in the year as time permits.
Okay, so I have not written in quite some time. This year is flying by and I have had a whirlwind of a time the past six weeks. Not much of it is good news, however. Nevertheless, I try to remain optimistic and encourage myself daily (some days this requires every bit of strength that I have). I am also blessed to have people who pray the Word of God for my life -- nothing more and nothing less.
Let's see:
I began this year with lofty goals. I wanted to get Uptown Media Group, LLC up and going, kosher with the IRS and the state of New York before the summer hit. I have gotten a great deal of the paperwork out of the way, but with everything else that I have going on, and very limited capital, I (unfortunately) cannot expend too much time and energy doing so. I look forward to the day (hopefully sooner rather than later) where I can focus on my business endeavors and stop trying to fit the square piece into the round hole -- i.e. trying to be a 9-5 guy when that just isn't me.
The plan right now academically is to begin at John Jay this summer, in June, and by the first weekend in June, be prepared to re-take the LSAT, so that I can try to begin 1L in September. Right now, a few major obstacles stand in my way: I still owe UNCG a few C's and a couple of other major financial obligations that somewhat preclude me from moving forward with my education. Rather than sing a "woe is me" tune, I just push past it, keep hustling and continue to attempt to find ways to get in position to reach those goals.
Everyone knows I am sick of being on Staten Island. I don't belong out here. My heart is in Harlem and I go back 2-3 times a week. Actually just came back from the block earlier today, after being in the Heights (Washington) to visit a friend and offer some kind words for an ailing relative of hers. I hadn't seen her since the GOOD days at Aetna (i.e. before things really went sour in mid-2003). The sooner I am gainfully employed, the better (as much as I hate the idea of a 9-5, it is necessary for income right now, and the RIGHT POSITION will actually allow for personal growth, continue to solidify my knowledge base and provide a template/foundation for the large-scale plans I have beyond my academic career -- itself being a lifelong/ongoing process, as I see myself being an academic "lifer", if you will).
SEGUE.
I have never been so humiliated and upset in my life, as I have since March of 2006. I have yet to figure out what the problem is. My resume on its own merits is enough to at least get a middle management position, regardless of the level of competition and living in New York, I have entered enough offices, know enough people on the inside of enough companies to know that many of these people aren't employed on merit alone (if at all). One thing I am sick of is people attempting to dole out advice but aren't and never have been in this position. If you have, that's fine, I appreciate it, and generally those people aren't the ones doing what I am about to say in the next statement -- but if not, SHUT THE FUCK UP. All it does is get me tight and you're not helping with your generic, hollow, empty rhetoric.
I need my own space. I feel like I can't be myself. I can't be organized, I can't complain (because there's always a voice trying to rebut EVERYTHING I have to say), I'm sick of being infantilized as if I'm not a nearly 31 year old man. Anyway, few things get me tight aside from people who always have to be right and feel like they're the only ones who are allowed to know something. Are you dead ass? You don't know everything, or else you'd be without financial issues, and there would be no problems whatsoever.
Let me move back into my main points.
I am dying to move. My social life is damn near ZERO because of where I am. It takes me forever to get to the places where my friends would hang out, and I have to act as if I'm a designated driver (if you will) whenever I want to have a good time, because the trek back is enough to sober me, even though I don't drink to get shitfaced. I seriously hate the commute. I only came out here for what turned out to be a BS job, and ended up getting stuck here for almost a year now. It was never my plan to be here past August 2009. I think some of the employers in Manhattan (and elsewhere) see an SI address and automatically think it's going to lead to repeated instances of lateness and calling out. That's not my style, but I can't say I fully blame them. Just another Price Is Right Fail Horn situation for me.
I am not perfect. I don't purport myself to be. If anyone has a problem with my language or anger, TOUGH. Hit the road. As of March 2010, I'm back to being the old me, which means I don't give a fuck what you think, what you have to say, fuck your feelings if you're offended and stay the fuck outta my way if you're not on my team trying to help. I don't have time nor the energy to put up with bullshit and I have absolutely ZERO tolerance for games, nonsense and people trying to play my face. That goes for face-to-face/daily interaction or in the Social Networking world. You got one time to cross me, then you're on my Shit List and it takes TONS of penance to get off that, if ever. Knowing those rules, play at your own risk. But those who know me know how I get down, you're good bread unless you do those things. And let's face it, if you do those things, you're trying to be an ass anyway, so you get what you deserve -- i.e. the Ryan Leaf Rant treatment and a nice vintage LaDainian Tomlinson-esque stiffarm henceforth and beyond.
Back to the job situation --
I'm not sure whether it is because of my situation with my stalled non-profit and other business endeavors, which landed me in a mountain of credit card debt, or the amount of money that I doled out to pay for school at UNCG out of pocket for 4 1/2 years (including selling literally EVERYTHING I owned -- my $40,000 car, many electronics, my stock holdings, running up 1/4 of my credit balance paying off Long Island University in 2004, hospital bills dating back to when I broke my back in 2007, etc. etc. etc. or what -- but I really believe between those things and the covert means of "racial" discrimination that takes place nowadays (it's a different racism in New York than there is in the south, for instance) that is getting me the bad rap. I don't even pull the race card unless it's absolutely a viable practice, so you KNOW coming from me, there's legs to this thing.
So how is it that I can go into a job (and those closest to me know, because I send out requisitions on a nearly daily basis, sometimes multiple times daily), receive offers for interviews thrice weekly on average for the past year alone (not to mention the fact I've been OD excavating looking for jobs since March 2006 -- not JUST SINCE I graduated from UNCG), interview well, as I am well-spoken, quite articulate and speak (minus the cursing) just as I write in my blog -- and still come away with nothing? Competition my ass. New York my ass. Oh, and by the way, people suggesting I leave NY? GTFOH.. are you dead ass? It would be MORE than starting over, because most anyplace else that I would go would necessitate me taking on another major expense (another car, for the short cheese bus riders) in order to continue wasting money getting to and from interviews. I recounted how much money I've spent since July going back and forth into Manhattan, occasionally Brooklyn, and parts of Jersey even -- engaging in interviews and it is SOBERING. It makes me want to punch a hole in a wall just thinking about it. Every time I have yielded an interview from my resume and so forth, I go into it with a clean slate, no pessimism and as professional as I did with my first professional employment 12 years ago. No speaking ill of previous employers, no complaining -- all professional, all the time. I'm courteous, express myself in the truest from (those who truly know me know that's the only way I can be... transparent as Casper the Ghost), show that I'm not a robot, but rather the same person who emits verve and a sense of humor without compromising professionalism. I just can't fathom what else it could be if it is not the things I've mentioned prior. Someone can offer me insight, if they have it -- and not a bunch of BS suppositions that have long since been explored during this 4+ year journey.
You know? I wrote a lot about relationships in 2008. And I said then that I would stop trying to figure women out. It's a fruitless exercise and leads you inevitably toward futility. The only thing I understand about women is that I don't understand them. From now on, I'm citing the "U Right" skits from Boss Of All Bosses II and become another Al Bundy. Being a gentleman doesn't work ha. Seriously, though -- I am back to being the old me; that is, little to no pity for those women who are pretty much getting what they signed up for, whether they will acknowledge it or not. Dead ass. I will never understand how you can put up with something MAJORLY FOUL and make excuses for the treatment, stick around and keep coming back for more, but then make a mountain out of a molehill of nothingness -- something that is beyond trivial -- and make it seem like the Geneva Convention has been breached. DEAR GOD. Sure, men do it, but again, this is ME, trying to understand women so that ---> I <---- can marry, not wanting to hear the requisite rebuttal from women complaining about men. This isn't the forum for that, so save it.
But I really don't care about anything anymore. I've never been a contentious person, and especially now that I am so focused on my money and getting my affairs in order, again, I have no tolerance and have no problems just walking away from situations just like Flea did in Killa Season after dude got at him about trying to get at his girl (if you haven't seen the movie, go watch it -- pure gold).
I see these things on a daily basis and I really can't empathize nor sympathize anymore. I'm 30 years old and have dealt with nothing but bitches, hoes, slags, jumpoffs and no-class hoodrats over the past decade -- the common denominator -- they're always on the hunt to hurt you before you can hurt them (even if you have no intent of doing so) and trying to trap you with words (PLAYING GAMES) so they can go "aha! I knew you were just like the rest of them, NEXT!" Fuck that shit. Save me the time and act like CeCe Peniston, only in reverse. I don't care. C'est la vie.
You know what else? I'm going to continue to go IN on these "Miss Independent" types, as I speak for the general populace of men who are sick and fucking tired of this shit.
This whole thing about women was prompted by my past couple of years' experiences. Follow me, if you will.
I am on the ave every day. I walk about 75-100 blocks per day between interviewing, running errands or just chilling someplace in midtown or on the block in Harlem World. You can spot "her" a mile away. And before I even hear it, NO, I'm not just calling out Black women who fit this mold, but they do comprise most of the guilty party as a whole. These chicks are something else, though. The vibe I get now in 2010 versus the one I used to get as late as 2005 is startling. I got attention, looks, interest, etc. from women all the time, because I was making good money, drove a nice car, wore flashy/classy clothes and well, being me, I am very expressive and don't mind talking about a variety of different topics. I am Renaissance Man of sorts. But while none of that has changed, after sacrificing my ENTIRE LIFE and financial well-being to pay for college -- something that should really be respected, more than criticized (especially since it hasn't done any good to have done so -- at least to this point), that vibe has changed. I notice how many of "them" will go out of their way to make sure you notice them rolling their eyes and turning away with their noses up. AND THAT'S WHEN I'M DRESSED PROFESSIONALLY walking down 5th Avenue. Christ Almighty forget about it if I'm just laid back in some A|X jeans and a plain top and Mikes.
Then if you ever have the (dis)pleasure of entering into conversation with them, everything is about their resume. Seriously. This is 2010. No one cares that you went to X school and have Y job and paid Z amount for your car, home, clothes, etc. I don't run down that list, never did, never will when I get to my apex again, and I don't want to hear it. At my age, those things are immaterial. And as my 20s proved, they can be VERY MUCH FLEETING, regardless of how many safeguards you put in place to prevent it from being so. Save your shit. I don't care. If you're not expressing qualities that can foster and cultivate a healthy RELATIONSHIP, then I really don't care. Besides, if a man were to do those things, you know the only type of women who care are golddiggers looking for a Sugar Daddy. HONESTLY -- and I want to hear from the ladies about this (to confirm what I already know) -- when considering a guy in "that" regard, as long as he's doing HIM, do you really care to hear about all of his accomplishments, status and how much he spends on X, Y, Z? No, I didn't think so. Because if he's a douche or a complete asshole, and you're looking for a lasting relationship/marriage, none of those things has even a iota of significance in developing such a covenant. Let's cut the bullshit and be honest here.
But I will say, on a daily basis, I get these looks a good dozen or so times. From a wide variety of women. And most of us can tell who's unemployed, underemployed, a student, a drifter, a freelancer, a manager or a higher-up executive or what have you. It's not fool-proof, but everything is about class in this city, and the savvy ones amongst us can tell -- not so much by clothes, although they are an indicator -- who's who. And as I said, if I'm not dressed to the 9's, FUHGETTABOUTIT.
However, I've been amused of late, though. Because I passed this chick just today, early over by The Rock (Rockefeller Plaza) as I was heading over to one of my spots to cop some Cloves. Young chick. probably mid-late 20s, Black, dressed very nicely. Obviously has a nice job. I can just get that vibe. I'm saying to myself -- "that's word???" and I get closer, look at her, and she goes out of her way to roll her eyes and looks the other way HARD (no homo). Now, I'm not the most attractive dude in the world, but seriously, WTF is that all about? That's a very common occurrence. Whereas, I have noticed the women who aren't on that Miss Independent trash come off completely affable and easily approachable. Hmmmm.
And they say that the Miss Independents of the world are unhappy. Well, hey, unless they actually want to be alone for the rest of their lives and happy with that, I can see WHY they are, and I have no pity for them. I don't want to have anything to do with such a woman and refuse to patronize nor take part in any of the condescension. Seriously. You are my EQUAL, at best. And if not my equal, then less than that because of your arrogance and over-inflated sense of self-importance. This is what most men who are SECURE in who they are, and don't care what a woman makes per annum and what side of Central Park she lives on -- ALL THINK. I cannot speak for the Neanderthal Man or the pipsqueaks who have complexes about women moving ahead. Seriously, I couldn't care less. I'm happy for anyone's success. You can never call me a hater, because supreme confidence and jealousy do not mix. And I haven't met a created human being who can knock my confidence. Those who know me know mine never wavers, despite all of the trials and tribulations I've endured over the past 5 years. But this whole "movement" has to stop. I've written in detail about how this relatively new phenomenon came about (and WHOSE jobs/academic opportunities are spared in order for these very women to be in the positions they're in nowadays), but I shant go there. This is probably the biggest hindrance to Black Male/Black Female relationships. But that's for the people who care about that dynamic to discuss. Personally, you already know I am not a piece of property or part of some tribe, so I'm not understanding where this "our men" sentiment comes from. No one has rights of first refusal to Black men, where they do that at ha???
With regards to my other plans, (on a lighter note), I always have a new hustle and always looking for ways to bring my past endeavors to fruition. I am looking to work with highly energetic, innovative and creative thinkers. Not just for Uptown Media Group, LLC (visit us and register at http://www.uptownmediagroup.webs.com), but for all of my ventures -- AllOut Business Consulting, Inc., Solid Rock Collegiate Outreach, Inc. and the publishing/music production that will be coming back to the surface after a couple years' hiatus.
However, that is all for now. More updates coming within the next 2-3 weeks, as my birthday is quickly approaching on March 30, and some opportunities are on the horizon as I speak. By the end of this week, I should have some very good news to share.
DISCUSS>>>
M.D. Wright
3.9.10
***EDITOR'S NOTE: Updates -- new series coming in April, will continue some of the previous series from 2009 and January/February 2010 later in the year as time permits.
Okay, so I have not written in quite some time. This year is flying by and I have had a whirlwind of a time the past six weeks. Not much of it is good news, however. Nevertheless, I try to remain optimistic and encourage myself daily (some days this requires every bit of strength that I have). I am also blessed to have people who pray the Word of God for my life -- nothing more and nothing less.
Let's see:
I began this year with lofty goals. I wanted to get Uptown Media Group, LLC up and going, kosher with the IRS and the state of New York before the summer hit. I have gotten a great deal of the paperwork out of the way, but with everything else that I have going on, and very limited capital, I (unfortunately) cannot expend too much time and energy doing so. I look forward to the day (hopefully sooner rather than later) where I can focus on my business endeavors and stop trying to fit the square piece into the round hole -- i.e. trying to be a 9-5 guy when that just isn't me.
The plan right now academically is to begin at John Jay this summer, in June, and by the first weekend in June, be prepared to re-take the LSAT, so that I can try to begin 1L in September. Right now, a few major obstacles stand in my way: I still owe UNCG a few C's and a couple of other major financial obligations that somewhat preclude me from moving forward with my education. Rather than sing a "woe is me" tune, I just push past it, keep hustling and continue to attempt to find ways to get in position to reach those goals.
Everyone knows I am sick of being on Staten Island. I don't belong out here. My heart is in Harlem and I go back 2-3 times a week. Actually just came back from the block earlier today, after being in the Heights (Washington) to visit a friend and offer some kind words for an ailing relative of hers. I hadn't seen her since the GOOD days at Aetna (i.e. before things really went sour in mid-2003). The sooner I am gainfully employed, the better (as much as I hate the idea of a 9-5, it is necessary for income right now, and the RIGHT POSITION will actually allow for personal growth, continue to solidify my knowledge base and provide a template/foundation for the large-scale plans I have beyond my academic career -- itself being a lifelong/ongoing process, as I see myself being an academic "lifer", if you will).
SEGUE.
I have never been so humiliated and upset in my life, as I have since March of 2006. I have yet to figure out what the problem is. My resume on its own merits is enough to at least get a middle management position, regardless of the level of competition and living in New York, I have entered enough offices, know enough people on the inside of enough companies to know that many of these people aren't employed on merit alone (if at all). One thing I am sick of is people attempting to dole out advice but aren't and never have been in this position. If you have, that's fine, I appreciate it, and generally those people aren't the ones doing what I am about to say in the next statement -- but if not, SHUT THE FUCK UP. All it does is get me tight and you're not helping with your generic, hollow, empty rhetoric.
Let me move back into my main points.
I am dying to move. My social life is damn near ZERO because of where I am. It takes me forever to get to the places where my friends would hang out, and I have to act as if I'm a designated driver (if you will) whenever I want to have a good time, because the trek back is enough to sober me, even though I don't drink to get shitfaced. I seriously hate the commute. I only came out here for what turned out to be a BS job, and ended up getting stuck here for almost a year now. It was never my plan to be here past August 2009. I think some of the employers in Manhattan (and elsewhere) see an SI address and automatically think it's going to lead to repeated instances of lateness and calling out. That's not my style, but I can't say I fully blame them. Just another Price Is Right Fail Horn situation for me.
I am not perfect. I don't purport myself to be. If anyone has a problem with my language or anger, TOUGH. Hit the road. As of March 2010, I'm back to being the old me, which means I don't give a fuck what you think, what you have to say, fuck your feelings if you're offended and stay the fuck outta my way if you're not on my team trying to help. I don't have time nor the energy to put up with bullshit and I have absolutely ZERO tolerance for games, nonsense and people trying to play my face. That goes for face-to-face/daily interaction or in the Social Networking world. You got one time to cross me, then you're on my Shit List and it takes TONS of penance to get off that, if ever. Knowing those rules, play at your own risk. But those who know me know how I get down, you're good bread unless you do those things. And let's face it, if you do those things, you're trying to be an ass anyway, so you get what you deserve -- i.e. the Ryan Leaf Rant treatment and a nice vintage LaDainian Tomlinson-esque stiffarm henceforth and beyond.
Back to the job situation --
I'm not sure whether it is because of my situation with my stalled non-profit and other business endeavors, which landed me in a mountain of credit card debt, or the amount of money that I doled out to pay for school at UNCG out of pocket for 4 1/2 years (including selling literally EVERYTHING I owned -- my $40,000 car, many electronics, my stock holdings, running up 1/4 of my credit balance paying off Long Island University in 2004, hospital bills dating back to when I broke my back in 2007, etc. etc. etc. or what -- but I really believe between those things and the covert means of "racial" discrimination that takes place nowadays (it's a different racism in New York than there is in the south, for instance) that is getting me the bad rap. I don't even pull the race card unless it's absolutely a viable practice, so you KNOW coming from me, there's legs to this thing.
So how is it that I can go into a job (and those closest to me know, because I send out requisitions on a nearly daily basis, sometimes multiple times daily), receive offers for interviews thrice weekly on average for the past year alone (not to mention the fact I've been OD excavating looking for jobs since March 2006 -- not JUST SINCE I graduated from UNCG), interview well, as I am well-spoken, quite articulate and speak (minus the cursing) just as I write in my blog -- and still come away with nothing? Competition my ass. New York my ass. Oh, and by the way, people suggesting I leave NY? GTFOH.. are you dead ass? It would be MORE than starting over, because most anyplace else that I would go would necessitate me taking on another major expense (another car, for the short cheese bus riders) in order to continue wasting money getting to and from interviews. I recounted how much money I've spent since July going back and forth into Manhattan, occasionally Brooklyn, and parts of Jersey even -- engaging in interviews and it is SOBERING. It makes me want to punch a hole in a wall just thinking about it. Every time I have yielded an interview from my resume and so forth, I go into it with a clean slate, no pessimism and as professional as I did with my first professional employment 12 years ago. No speaking ill of previous employers, no complaining -- all professional, all the time. I'm courteous, express myself in the truest from (those who truly know me know that's the only way I can be... transparent as Casper the Ghost), show that I'm not a robot, but rather the same person who emits verve and a sense of humor without compromising professionalism. I just can't fathom what else it could be if it is not the things I've mentioned prior. Someone can offer me insight, if they have it -- and not a bunch of BS suppositions that have long since been explored during this 4+ year journey.
You know? I wrote a lot about relationships in 2008. And I said then that I would stop trying to figure women out. It's a fruitless exercise and leads you inevitably toward futility. The only thing I understand about women is that I don't understand them. From now on, I'm citing the "U Right" skits from Boss Of All Bosses II and become another Al Bundy. Being a gentleman doesn't work ha. Seriously, though -- I am back to being the old me; that is, little to no pity for those women who are pretty much getting what they signed up for, whether they will acknowledge it or not. Dead ass. I will never understand how you can put up with something MAJORLY FOUL and make excuses for the treatment, stick around and keep coming back for more, but then make a mountain out of a molehill of nothingness -- something that is beyond trivial -- and make it seem like the Geneva Convention has been breached. DEAR GOD. Sure, men do it, but again, this is ME, trying to understand women so that ---> I <---- can marry, not wanting to hear the requisite rebuttal from women complaining about men. This isn't the forum for that, so save it.
But I really don't care about anything anymore. I've never been a contentious person, and especially now that I am so focused on my money and getting my affairs in order, again, I have no tolerance and have no problems just walking away from situations just like Flea did in Killa Season after dude got at him about trying to get at his girl (if you haven't seen the movie, go watch it -- pure gold).
I see these things on a daily basis and I really can't empathize nor sympathize anymore. I'm 30 years old and have dealt with nothing but bitches, hoes, slags, jumpoffs and no-class hoodrats over the past decade -- the common denominator -- they're always on the hunt to hurt you before you can hurt them (even if you have no intent of doing so) and trying to trap you with words (PLAYING GAMES) so they can go "aha! I knew you were just like the rest of them, NEXT!" Fuck that shit. Save me the time and act like CeCe Peniston, only in reverse. I don't care. C'est la vie.
You know what else? I'm going to continue to go IN on these "Miss Independent" types, as I speak for the general populace of men who are sick and fucking tired of this shit.
This whole thing about women was prompted by my past couple of years' experiences. Follow me, if you will.
I am on the ave every day. I walk about 75-100 blocks per day between interviewing, running errands or just chilling someplace in midtown or on the block in Harlem World. You can spot "her" a mile away. And before I even hear it, NO, I'm not just calling out Black women who fit this mold, but they do comprise most of the guilty party as a whole. These chicks are something else, though. The vibe I get now in 2010 versus the one I used to get as late as 2005 is startling. I got attention, looks, interest, etc. from women all the time, because I was making good money, drove a nice car, wore flashy/classy clothes and well, being me, I am very expressive and don't mind talking about a variety of different topics. I am Renaissance Man of sorts. But while none of that has changed, after sacrificing my ENTIRE LIFE and financial well-being to pay for college -- something that should really be respected, more than criticized (especially since it hasn't done any good to have done so -- at least to this point), that vibe has changed. I notice how many of "them" will go out of their way to make sure you notice them rolling their eyes and turning away with their noses up. AND THAT'S WHEN I'M DRESSED PROFESSIONALLY walking down 5th Avenue. Christ Almighty forget about it if I'm just laid back in some A|X jeans and a plain top and Mikes.
Then if you ever have the (dis)pleasure of entering into conversation with them, everything is about their resume. Seriously. This is 2010. No one cares that you went to X school and have Y job and paid Z amount for your car, home, clothes, etc. I don't run down that list, never did, never will when I get to my apex again, and I don't want to hear it. At my age, those things are immaterial. And as my 20s proved, they can be VERY MUCH FLEETING, regardless of how many safeguards you put in place to prevent it from being so. Save your shit. I don't care. If you're not expressing qualities that can foster and cultivate a healthy RELATIONSHIP, then I really don't care. Besides, if a man were to do those things, you know the only type of women who care are golddiggers looking for a Sugar Daddy. HONESTLY -- and I want to hear from the ladies about this (to confirm what I already know) -- when considering a guy in "that" regard, as long as he's doing HIM, do you really care to hear about all of his accomplishments, status and how much he spends on X, Y, Z? No, I didn't think so. Because if he's a douche or a complete asshole, and you're looking for a lasting relationship/marriage, none of those things has even a iota of significance in developing such a covenant. Let's cut the bullshit and be honest here.
But I will say, on a daily basis, I get these looks a good dozen or so times. From a wide variety of women. And most of us can tell who's unemployed, underemployed, a student, a drifter, a freelancer, a manager or a higher-up executive or what have you. It's not fool-proof, but everything is about class in this city, and the savvy ones amongst us can tell -- not so much by clothes, although they are an indicator -- who's who. And as I said, if I'm not dressed to the 9's, FUHGETTABOUTIT.
However, I've been amused of late, though. Because I passed this chick just today, early over by The Rock (Rockefeller Plaza) as I was heading over to one of my spots to cop some Cloves. Young chick. probably mid-late 20s, Black, dressed very nicely. Obviously has a nice job. I can just get that vibe. I'm saying to myself -- "that's word???" and I get closer, look at her, and she goes out of her way to roll her eyes and looks the other way HARD (no homo). Now, I'm not the most attractive dude in the world, but seriously, WTF is that all about? That's a very common occurrence. Whereas, I have noticed the women who aren't on that Miss Independent trash come off completely affable and easily approachable. Hmmmm.
And they say that the Miss Independents of the world are unhappy. Well, hey, unless they actually want to be alone for the rest of their lives and happy with that, I can see WHY they are, and I have no pity for them. I don't want to have anything to do with such a woman and refuse to patronize nor take part in any of the condescension. Seriously. You are my EQUAL, at best. And if not my equal, then less than that because of your arrogance and over-inflated sense of self-importance. This is what most men who are SECURE in who they are, and don't care what a woman makes per annum and what side of Central Park she lives on -- ALL THINK. I cannot speak for the Neanderthal Man or the pipsqueaks who have complexes about women moving ahead. Seriously, I couldn't care less. I'm happy for anyone's success. You can never call me a hater, because supreme confidence and jealousy do not mix. And I haven't met a created human being who can knock my confidence. Those who know me know mine never wavers, despite all of the trials and tribulations I've endured over the past 5 years. But this whole "movement" has to stop. I've written in detail about how this relatively new phenomenon came about (and WHOSE jobs/academic opportunities are spared in order for these very women to be in the positions they're in nowadays), but I shant go there. This is probably the biggest hindrance to Black Male/Black Female relationships. But that's for the people who care about that dynamic to discuss. Personally, you already know I am not a piece of property or part of some tribe, so I'm not understanding where this "our men" sentiment comes from. No one has rights of first refusal to Black men, where they do that at ha???
With regards to my other plans, (on a lighter note), I always have a new hustle and always looking for ways to bring my past endeavors to fruition. I am looking to work with highly energetic, innovative and creative thinkers. Not just for Uptown Media Group, LLC (visit us and register at http://www.uptownmediagroup.webs.com), but for all of my ventures -- AllOut Business Consulting, Inc., Solid Rock Collegiate Outreach, Inc. and the publishing/music production that will be coming back to the surface after a couple years' hiatus.
However, that is all for now. More updates coming within the next 2-3 weeks, as my birthday is quickly approaching on March 30, and some opportunities are on the horizon as I speak. By the end of this week, I should have some very good news to share.
DISCUSS>>>
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Disturbing Trend
Disturbing Trend
M.D. Wright
2.27.10
***EDITOR'S NOTE: Other series will return in March, for now, it is free-writing time.
I don't remember precisely when this became the "en vogue" thing to do, or even why -- but something that annoys me greatly is this phenomenon of people using the first initial of someone's first name and the first few letters of their last name, hyphenating it, and calling it a NICKNAME.
WHAT I MISS???
How is that a "NICKNAME"? And why do you hear people call someone like R. Humm or D. Gall as if 1) it sounds like something someone would even want to be called and again 2) it is a NICKNAME?
Nicknames are such as these:
Greg "Cadillac" Anderson.
Lloyd "World B." Free.
Chuck "The Rifleman" Person.
Wayne "Tree" Rollins.
Vernell "Bimbo" Coles.
Can we ever get back to creative and ACTUAL nicknames again? It remains to be seen. But what I hear day in and day out, especially in professional sports makes my stomach churn.
M.D. Wright
2.27.10
***EDITOR'S NOTE: Other series will return in March, for now, it is free-writing time.
I don't remember precisely when this became the "en vogue" thing to do, or even why -- but something that annoys me greatly is this phenomenon of people using the first initial of someone's first name and the first few letters of their last name, hyphenating it, and calling it a NICKNAME.
WHAT I MISS???
How is that a "NICKNAME"? And why do you hear people call someone like R. Humm or D. Gall as if 1) it sounds like something someone would even want to be called and again 2) it is a NICKNAME?
Nicknames are such as these:
Greg "Cadillac" Anderson.
Lloyd "World B." Free.
Chuck "The Rifleman" Person.
Wayne "Tree" Rollins.
Vernell "Bimbo" Coles.
Can we ever get back to creative and ACTUAL nicknames again? It remains to be seen. But what I hear day in and day out, especially in professional sports makes my stomach churn.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Pet Peeve Phrase Of The Day
Pet Peeve Phrase Of The Day
M.D. Wright
2.19.10
***EDITOR'S NOTE: The Pet Peeve Phrase Of The Day Returns with an all-time classic annoyance. Stay tuned. There will be a few streaming in the coming days.
Today's Pet Peeve isn't even a phrase. It's a one "word" response to a statement. You already know what I'm thinking --
"OK".
Are you serious? Can you do better please? I'd almost rather you not respond at all ha. I send you a long, detailed message, explaining this, that and the third, or just conversing about something very important and in-depth and alls you can say is "ok"? How many of you get those one-word texts, emails or inbox messages on Facebook and want to chug Castrol afterward, thinking the person was going to elaborate or at least give some feedback to what you were talking about ha?
DISCUSS>>>
M.D. Wright
2.19.10
***EDITOR'S NOTE: The Pet Peeve Phrase Of The Day Returns with an all-time classic annoyance. Stay tuned. There will be a few streaming in the coming days.
Today's Pet Peeve isn't even a phrase. It's a one "word" response to a statement. You already know what I'm thinking --
"OK".
Are you serious? Can you do better please? I'd almost rather you not respond at all ha. I send you a long, detailed message, explaining this, that and the third, or just conversing about something very important and in-depth and alls you can say is "ok"? How many of you get those one-word texts, emails or inbox messages on Facebook and want to chug Castrol afterward, thinking the person was going to elaborate or at least give some feedback to what you were talking about ha?
DISCUSS>>>
Thursday, February 18, 2010
2010 NBA Trade Deadline: Knicks News
2010 NBA Trade Deadline: Opinion On New York Knicks Deals
M.D. Wright
2.18.10
***EDITOR'S NOTE: The 2010 National Basketball Association Trade Deadline is 3:00 PM EST, on Thursday, February 18, 2010. Some deals have been made, but I will focus on the New York Knicks' moves and speculate on some future moves (waivers, impending free agency, which begins July 1, 2010 -- and deals can be signed after the two-week moratorium is lifted July 15, 2010) that the Knicks may make as a result.
TRADE #1
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4924836
Knicks get G Tracy McGrady (who was traded to the Sacramento Kings for G Kevin Martin earlier in the day) and G Sergio Rodriguez from the Kings, the Houston Rockets get G Kevin Martin and F/C Hilton Armstrong from the Kings, and F Jordan Hill along with F Jared Jeffries from the Knicks.
The Kings get the Rockets' F Carl Landry and F Joey Dorsey -- along with the Knicks' G Larry Hughes.
This move is huge. People do not realize this was the plan from the get-go after Isiah Thomas was fired as the Knicks' GM. All eyes were on the 2010 free agent signing period and the Knicks are now in prime position to sign two MAX PLAYERS (in NBA jargon, that is signing to players to maximum contracts, which are in the 5 year/$90 million range -- or 6 year/$110 million range if they remain with their current teams).
Also included are the Knicks' 2011 and 2012 First Round Draft Picks. The 2011 pick is Top-1 protected, the 2012 pick is Top-5 protected. In essence, the Knicks are going ALL IN and "standing" on 17, if you will (Blackjack lingo), hoping their $30 million-plus in salary cap space will be enough to lure two of the big superstars who are impending free agents this offseason.
This list of big names includes:
F LeBron James.
G Dwyane Wade.
F/C Chris Bosh.
F Amaré Stoudemire.
--------------
Joe Johnson.
Rudy Gay.
If things go the way the Knicks and many Knick fans hope, the Knicks can POSSIBLY come away with LeBron James AND Dwyane Wade. Even Chris Bosh as "consolation" for not getting one of the former will be a great summer for Knicks fans and the Knicks' brass. They were able to keep F David Lee, F Danilo Gallinari, G/F Wilson Chandler and G Toney Douglas throughout all the trades.
***THIS JUST IN:
http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=4924052
Knicks send G Nate Robinson, 3-time consecutive NBA All-Star Dunk Contest winner to Boston for G Eddie House, JR Giddens and Bill Walker. There is another Knicks player involved, but he has yet to be named. Most of us Knick fans think it may be Chris Duhon, whose contract is expiring -- as the Knicks are likely to begin playing G Toney Douglas more often at the point guard position with the departure of Nate Robinson.
WE SHALL SEE.
The Knicks shaved tons off their cap by getting rid of Darko Milicic earlier in the week to receive Brian Cardinal, who will most likely be waived. Larry Hughes' prohibitive contract was moved, which helps the cap. Al Harrington, whose game has sunk to nothingness, and his $10M contract come off the books this offseason for the Knicks. So does Chris Duhon's. McGrady's $23M final year comes off in July, so the Knicks have the flexibility to keep him as a decent wing player for LeBron James and/or Wade, at the mid-level exception (which does not hurt the cap situation) or simply let him go and use the MLE and other exceptions to sign another player. The picks are negligible if the free agent signing period works out the way we hope here in New York.
Who wouldn't want to play here? We can sweeten the pot more than anyone other than either Los Angeles team -- and the Lakers are in cap hell, so they cannot sign anyone to more than a $6-$8M contract. The Clippers are... well, the CLIPPERS. Who wants to go there and never see their NBA career again? Definitely not these superstars.
My guess is that with all the moves the Knicks have made this week, and maybe a couple more to follow in waivers and so forth, they are going to try to get to about $40M under the cap and be able to tender their current players when necessary in 2011 so that any signings this offseason do not land them back in cap purgatory.
The Knicks have not been under the cap since we signed Allan Houston in 1996. I almost forgot what this feels like. Donnie Walsh is DEFINITELY NO DAVE CHECKETTS (all... and I mean ALL -- Knicks fans LOVED Checketts) but he just made a series of nice moves that put us in the driver's seat to have rights of first refusal for all the free agents coming up this offseason.
I LOVE IT.
When the Knicks are good, it is good for the NBA. You know this. I know this. David J. Stern knows this. Hate us or not, ACCEPT IT.
DISCUSS>>>
M.D. Wright
2.18.10
***EDITOR'S NOTE: The 2010 National Basketball Association Trade Deadline is 3:00 PM EST, on Thursday, February 18, 2010. Some deals have been made, but I will focus on the New York Knicks' moves and speculate on some future moves (waivers, impending free agency, which begins July 1, 2010 -- and deals can be signed after the two-week moratorium is lifted July 15, 2010) that the Knicks may make as a result.
TRADE #1
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4924836
Knicks get G Tracy McGrady (who was traded to the Sacramento Kings for G Kevin Martin earlier in the day) and G Sergio Rodriguez from the Kings, the Houston Rockets get G Kevin Martin and F/C Hilton Armstrong from the Kings, and F Jordan Hill along with F Jared Jeffries from the Knicks.
The Kings get the Rockets' F Carl Landry and F Joey Dorsey -- along with the Knicks' G Larry Hughes.
This move is huge. People do not realize this was the plan from the get-go after Isiah Thomas was fired as the Knicks' GM. All eyes were on the 2010 free agent signing period and the Knicks are now in prime position to sign two MAX PLAYERS (in NBA jargon, that is signing to players to maximum contracts, which are in the 5 year/$90 million range -- or 6 year/$110 million range if they remain with their current teams).
Also included are the Knicks' 2011 and 2012 First Round Draft Picks. The 2011 pick is Top-1 protected, the 2012 pick is Top-5 protected. In essence, the Knicks are going ALL IN and "standing" on 17, if you will (Blackjack lingo), hoping their $30 million-plus in salary cap space will be enough to lure two of the big superstars who are impending free agents this offseason.
This list of big names includes:
F LeBron James.
G Dwyane Wade.
F/C Chris Bosh.
F Amaré Stoudemire.
--------------
Joe Johnson.
Rudy Gay.
If things go the way the Knicks and many Knick fans hope, the Knicks can POSSIBLY come away with LeBron James AND Dwyane Wade. Even Chris Bosh as "consolation" for not getting one of the former will be a great summer for Knicks fans and the Knicks' brass. They were able to keep F David Lee, F Danilo Gallinari, G/F Wilson Chandler and G Toney Douglas throughout all the trades.
***THIS JUST IN:
http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=4924052
Knicks send G Nate Robinson, 3-time consecutive NBA All-Star Dunk Contest winner to Boston for G Eddie House, JR Giddens and Bill Walker. There is another Knicks player involved, but he has yet to be named. Most of us Knick fans think it may be Chris Duhon, whose contract is expiring -- as the Knicks are likely to begin playing G Toney Douglas more often at the point guard position with the departure of Nate Robinson.
WE SHALL SEE.
The Knicks shaved tons off their cap by getting rid of Darko Milicic earlier in the week to receive Brian Cardinal, who will most likely be waived. Larry Hughes' prohibitive contract was moved, which helps the cap. Al Harrington, whose game has sunk to nothingness, and his $10M contract come off the books this offseason for the Knicks. So does Chris Duhon's. McGrady's $23M final year comes off in July, so the Knicks have the flexibility to keep him as a decent wing player for LeBron James and/or Wade, at the mid-level exception (which does not hurt the cap situation) or simply let him go and use the MLE and other exceptions to sign another player. The picks are negligible if the free agent signing period works out the way we hope here in New York.
Who wouldn't want to play here? We can sweeten the pot more than anyone other than either Los Angeles team -- and the Lakers are in cap hell, so they cannot sign anyone to more than a $6-$8M contract. The Clippers are... well, the CLIPPERS. Who wants to go there and never see their NBA career again? Definitely not these superstars.
My guess is that with all the moves the Knicks have made this week, and maybe a couple more to follow in waivers and so forth, they are going to try to get to about $40M under the cap and be able to tender their current players when necessary in 2011 so that any signings this offseason do not land them back in cap purgatory.
The Knicks have not been under the cap since we signed Allan Houston in 1996. I almost forgot what this feels like. Donnie Walsh is DEFINITELY NO DAVE CHECKETTS (all... and I mean ALL -- Knicks fans LOVED Checketts) but he just made a series of nice moves that put us in the driver's seat to have rights of first refusal for all the free agents coming up this offseason.
I LOVE IT.
When the Knicks are good, it is good for the NBA. You know this. I know this. David J. Stern knows this. Hate us or not, ACCEPT IT.
DISCUSS>>>
My Favorites: Today's 5 - TOP 25 SOUNDTRACKS SINCE 1980
My Favorites: Today's 5 - TOP 25 SOUNDTRACKS SINCE 1980
M.D. Wright
2.17.10
***EDITOR'S NOTE: Back with the Favorites Series after a week-long hiatus. May be a purge of them, so be prepared.
Today's 5: TOP 25 SOUNDTRACKS SINCE 1980.
Anytime I have to condense my musical tastes down to anything under a limit of 25, it is extremely tough. I almost think the best way for me to do these is to go rapid fire and go with the first one that comes to mind. Of course what that leads to is a lot of people being offended and inquiring why the soundtrack that got them through a bad season or a breakup in high school isn't listed ha. But hey, I'll do my best (since my tastes are very good if I do say so myself) to do the list justice. As always, feel free to chime in and give me your feedback. As a matter of fact, I encourage it.
1. NEW JACK CITY (1991).
Ushered in a new era of music and defined an entire generation in one album. If you weren't feeling this back then, something was seriously wrong with you. Christopher Williams had probably the headlining jam off the soundtrack with the classic song, "Dreamin'".
2. SUNSET PARK (1996).
This was that summer jam that year. The summer of '96 was great in many regards, but this soundtrack was the THEME of the summer, I think many people who were coming of age or in their 20s at the time will agree.
3. JUICE (1992).
2Pac making his debut and doing it in classic form. Oh, and Rakim spitting on "Know The Ledge" will never get old.
4. BOOMERANG (1992).
Say what you want about the movie, but the soundtrack was great. All those slow jams and this comes out as I am entering 8th grade -- which was a pretty good year for me.
5. WAITING TO EXHALE (1995).
NO SKIPS ALBUM. You have to be in that mindframe though. And I don't mean Angela Bassett lighting ol' boy's clothes on fire in the car, but the mellow/slow mood.
6. KRUSH GROOVE (1985).
WHEN HIP-HOP WAS STILL HIP-HOP.
7. THE BODYGUARD (1992).
Whitney headlined it and it's a classic.
8. ABOVE THE RIM (1994).
THAT SUMMER WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE TOP 3 SUMMERS EVER FOR ME. It was an overall great year in general. I will not argue this. This was the soundtrack of the summer of '94.
9. BROWN SUGAR (2002).
Just a nice, mellow, slow jam, quiet storm type album.
10. GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN' (2005).
50 at his apex.
11. GIRL 6 (1996).
Because you-know-who produced it and threw some of his best slow jams on there.
12. LOVE & BASKETBALL (2000).
An excellent mix of slow jams from back in the day and some newer songs that have become classics. It is one of the better examples of when a soundtrack fits a movie perfectly; scene for scene, throughout.
13. LOVE JONES (1997).
I honestly liked the movie more than the soundtrack at first, but as I dug in the crates and sometimes listen to some of these songs on the artists' individual albums at times, I realize how well it was put together.
14. NEW YORK UNDERCOVER (1995).
Vintage mid-90s music.
15. NOTORIOUS (2009).
Because it features BIGGIE.
16. PLAYER'S CLUB (1998).
The movie was so good that I sometimes forget about the soundtrack, but Cube, Mack 10 and Kurupt definitely did their thing -- along with others -- on here.
17. STREETS IS WATCHING (1998).
Back when I was a fan of Jay. I had the movie and the soundtrack and I swear I watched it 50 times that year. Maybe it was blind fandom, or because I was living in Brooklyn at the time, but what have you, it was excellent in my eyes. But I don't know that it would appeal to others if you weren't on the wave in '98.
18. RUSH HOUR (1998).
Just like the movie, the soundtrack hits you like a torrent of 25 great songs. Those first two Rush Hour movies/soundtracks were something to behold in the late 90s.
19. SET IT OFF (1996).
Another soundtrack that you'd have to be in that type of mode to really fully appreciate.
20. SHAFT (2000).
No individual classic songs, but fused together, it works.
21. HIGH SCHOOL HIGH (1996).
All I know is I was fiending for more Wu when this movie/soundtrack came out, and I got what I wanted. "Wu-Wear: Garment Renaissance" is one of my all-time favorite songs. And contrary to what non-Hip Hop heads may think, RZA MURDERED THAT SONG -- both the production that he used and his lyrics on the first verse.
22. THE PREACHER'S WIFE (1996).
I am guilty of two chick flicks and soundtracks. Sue me.
23. SOUL FOOD (1997).
I dunno, it just works for me.
24. THE BEST MAN (1999).
I think the music fit the scenes perfectly and it didn't detract from the movie itself. You want a good background for particular scenes, and for the poignant ones, the songs were perfect.
25. DEAD PRESIDENTS (1995)
COMING OF AGE ALBUM. If you were in high school back then, who DIDN'T love this?
Honorable Mention:
Bulworth (1998).
Hav Plenty (1998).
48 Hrs (1982).
Beverly Hills Cop (1984).
Coming To America (1988).
DISCUSS>>>
M.D. Wright
2.17.10
***EDITOR'S NOTE: Back with the Favorites Series after a week-long hiatus. May be a purge of them, so be prepared.
Today's 5: TOP 25 SOUNDTRACKS SINCE 1980.
Anytime I have to condense my musical tastes down to anything under a limit of 25, it is extremely tough. I almost think the best way for me to do these is to go rapid fire and go with the first one that comes to mind. Of course what that leads to is a lot of people being offended and inquiring why the soundtrack that got them through a bad season or a breakup in high school isn't listed ha. But hey, I'll do my best (since my tastes are very good if I do say so myself) to do the list justice. As always, feel free to chime in and give me your feedback. As a matter of fact, I encourage it.
1. NEW JACK CITY (1991).
Ushered in a new era of music and defined an entire generation in one album. If you weren't feeling this back then, something was seriously wrong with you. Christopher Williams had probably the headlining jam off the soundtrack with the classic song, "Dreamin'".
2. SUNSET PARK (1996).
This was that summer jam that year. The summer of '96 was great in many regards, but this soundtrack was the THEME of the summer, I think many people who were coming of age or in their 20s at the time will agree.
3. JUICE (1992).
2Pac making his debut and doing it in classic form. Oh, and Rakim spitting on "Know The Ledge" will never get old.
4. BOOMERANG (1992).
Say what you want about the movie, but the soundtrack was great. All those slow jams and this comes out as I am entering 8th grade -- which was a pretty good year for me.
5. WAITING TO EXHALE (1995).
NO SKIPS ALBUM. You have to be in that mindframe though. And I don't mean Angela Bassett lighting ol' boy's clothes on fire in the car, but the mellow/slow mood.
6. KRUSH GROOVE (1985).
WHEN HIP-HOP WAS STILL HIP-HOP.
7. THE BODYGUARD (1992).
Whitney headlined it and it's a classic.
8. ABOVE THE RIM (1994).
THAT SUMMER WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE TOP 3 SUMMERS EVER FOR ME. It was an overall great year in general. I will not argue this. This was the soundtrack of the summer of '94.
9. BROWN SUGAR (2002).
Just a nice, mellow, slow jam, quiet storm type album.
10. GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN' (2005).
50 at his apex.
11. GIRL 6 (1996).
Because you-know-who produced it and threw some of his best slow jams on there.
12. LOVE & BASKETBALL (2000).
An excellent mix of slow jams from back in the day and some newer songs that have become classics. It is one of the better examples of when a soundtrack fits a movie perfectly; scene for scene, throughout.
13. LOVE JONES (1997).
I honestly liked the movie more than the soundtrack at first, but as I dug in the crates and sometimes listen to some of these songs on the artists' individual albums at times, I realize how well it was put together.
14. NEW YORK UNDERCOVER (1995).
Vintage mid-90s music.
15. NOTORIOUS (2009).
Because it features BIGGIE.
16. PLAYER'S CLUB (1998).
The movie was so good that I sometimes forget about the soundtrack, but Cube, Mack 10 and Kurupt definitely did their thing -- along with others -- on here.
17. STREETS IS WATCHING (1998).
Back when I was a fan of Jay. I had the movie and the soundtrack and I swear I watched it 50 times that year. Maybe it was blind fandom, or because I was living in Brooklyn at the time, but what have you, it was excellent in my eyes. But I don't know that it would appeal to others if you weren't on the wave in '98.
18. RUSH HOUR (1998).
Just like the movie, the soundtrack hits you like a torrent of 25 great songs. Those first two Rush Hour movies/soundtracks were something to behold in the late 90s.
19. SET IT OFF (1996).
Another soundtrack that you'd have to be in that type of mode to really fully appreciate.
20. SHAFT (2000).
No individual classic songs, but fused together, it works.
21. HIGH SCHOOL HIGH (1996).
All I know is I was fiending for more Wu when this movie/soundtrack came out, and I got what I wanted. "Wu-Wear: Garment Renaissance" is one of my all-time favorite songs. And contrary to what non-Hip Hop heads may think, RZA MURDERED THAT SONG -- both the production that he used and his lyrics on the first verse.
22. THE PREACHER'S WIFE (1996).
I am guilty of two chick flicks and soundtracks. Sue me.
23. SOUL FOOD (1997).
I dunno, it just works for me.
24. THE BEST MAN (1999).
I think the music fit the scenes perfectly and it didn't detract from the movie itself. You want a good background for particular scenes, and for the poignant ones, the songs were perfect.
25. DEAD PRESIDENTS (1995)
COMING OF AGE ALBUM. If you were in high school back then, who DIDN'T love this?
Honorable Mention:
Bulworth (1998).
Hav Plenty (1998).
48 Hrs (1982).
Beverly Hills Cop (1984).
Coming To America (1988).
DISCUSS>>>
Thursday, February 11, 2010
My Favorites: Today's 5 - NO SKIPS ALBUMS
My Favorites: Today's 5 - NO SKIPS ALBUMS
M.D. Wright
2.11.10
***EDITOR'S NOTE: Continuation of My Favorites, Today's Top 5 List.
Simple explanation for the records on this list: I was feeling them so much both when I bought them and to this day, that I could listen to them from start to finish without hitting "SKIP" on the CD player, iPod touch, iTunes, moving the needle on the vinyl (for some of those old records that I wish my dad had passed down to me instead of giving away ha) or wear the battery down fast forwarding the cassette in the "Walkman" back in the day.
While there aren't all that many albums that bear this distinction, I will be expanding the list to 25 for this one -- not including Honorable Mentions.
1. PRINCE - "PURPLE RAIN" (1984).
I have yet to get tired of listening to this album. Twenty-five years later and all. There isn't a track on the album that I don't like. The only song I ever came close to skipping was "Take Me With U" and it grew on me by the time Prince's "Around the World in a Day" and "Under The Cherry Moon" albums dropped.
2. JANET JACKSON - "CONTROL" (1986).
This album dropped in 1986 and I think I heard almost every track whenever we went skating (which was big to those of us who grew up in the 1980s). Timeless classics if you ask me. I liked every track start to finish easily.
3. MICHAEL JACKSON - "THRILLER" (1982).
No words necessary. I even know people who weren't born when this was the craze who are huge Michael Jackson fans (although I will say "Off The Wall" was a better overall album, this one made you pay attention -- there were a couple of songs that I didn't care much for on "Off The Wall", which is why it did not make this list).
4. FAITH EVANS - "FAITH" (1995).
As I wrote in a separate column, Faith's debut album was a masterpiece. It came along at the right time, as the R&B genre of the music industry was undergoing a shift, and many high school and college students could vibe and relate to her music. The whole album sounds like one huge outpouring from Faith's heart. It fits together like a Jigsaw Puzzle.
5. JANET JACKSON - "RHYTHM NATION: 1814" (1989).
Her music videos for this album were the stuff of legend. The music made you want to dance even if you didn't care about dancing. Mixed in were a few love songs and slow grooves, but Janet was OFFICIAL by 1989, if she wasn't already considered as such after the success of her "Control" album throughout 1986 and 1987 with the remixes to that same album. You could get a good workout (or two, if you will *wink*) just pressing play and letting this one play from beginning to end.
6. CARL THOMAS - "EMOTIONAL" (2000).
My supposed look-alike back then in the 2000/2001 era. I never saw it, but what have you -- the album is what the drop was. We kept hearing Puff mention Carl Thomas would drop an album on the heels of the success yielded by Biggie, Mase and Puff's albums -- to go along with what Total and Faith had done between 1995-1997 themselves. We had to wait until 2000 and it was worth the wait. The music was sensual, relevant (especially to this then-21 year old) and it was good to hear that R&B wasn't dead. We were really worried about the genre after the late 90s, as we are again now in 2010 -- although I think now we've gone reprobate and past the point of no return (another topic itself for a COMPLETELY different day and time)
I think that is the reason I am waxing nostalgic more than ever about the 80s and 90s. Unlike past years, we had an artist or two bring some elements of the past back successfully and bridge the gap between our halcyon days (for me, mid-80s through the late-90s) and today and have a similar sound. I don't think we'll ever have that again with the way the music industry is structured and who "runs" things. But this was a great album for 2000, and that's all that matters.
7. MARY J. BLIGE - "WHAT'S THE 411?" (1992).
This was the jumpoff for Mary's career, and she hit the ground running. It seemed like every track was on the radio back then. And even the ones that weren't, they were getting heavy play at house parties and our school dances, as I was in middle school at the time. A lot of the girls had their hair cut like Mary and wanted to be like her. And since Mary is my type of lady, I ain't mad at them for it. These were great tunes -- with Sean "Puffy" Combs (I refuse to call him "Diddy" -- we called him "Puff" in the early 90s and the only time we called him "Diddy" was when Mase and Biggie referred to him as such in the late 90s) Executive Producing the records and Directing her videos. It was good times all around.
The video "Real Love" was OD nice. "Love No Limit"? CLASSIC. Need I say more?
8. MARY J. BLIGE - "MY LIFE" (1994).
This album was a stark contrast to her debut, "What's The 411?". Whereas the predecessor was more upbeat, dance-oriented and overall a fun album, "My Life" seemed to be dark and mellow. It was a better album in my opinion, but that is not to take away from "What's The 411?" -- because honestly Mary's work has gotten better with each passing album since day one. She's been in the game 20 years and was great off cuffs, so there's no shock that so many of her albums made this list.
9. MARY J. BLIGE - "SHARE MY WORLD" (1997).
This one dropped right as I was graduating high school. Amazing how photographic and capsulized my memory is, right? It is uncanny. But this album was SMOOTH. That is the superlative that I would affix to it more than anything. It set the mood for probably the best summer of my life to date, 1997. I don't know if it is a good or bad thing that I haven't had a summer that good since, but here's to hoping 2010 is close to it, even though I'm 100% certain the music WON'T BE. If you haven't already, cop this album and listen to it on a Saturday night when you're too tired to go out. You will love it.
10. MARY J. BLIGE - "MARY" (2000).
Not what I was expecting, per sé, after "Share My World" was released in 1997, but she followed up the 1997 release with a similar album. I figured she was going to go back to the painful songs ha. But hey, by 1997, Mary was rid of the major culprit (K-Ci of Jodeci) of the pain in her life, so there was no reason to continue singing such poignant tunes -- although some people sing blues and don't really have them. Mary's "My Life" hit extra hard because she wrote the lyrics and they were deeply personal. "Mary" was similar in that fashion, just that you could tell Mary's life was starting to take a turn for the better -- and she experienced a great decade after the release of this album in 2000.
11. MONICA - "MISS THANG" (1995).
If I didn't look at Monica and see her girlish figure in 1995, I would've thought she was a good 10 years older than she was. To be singing such songs with a powerful voice out of such a small frame at age 15 was remarkable. Shades of Stephanie Mills. The album was very well conceived, arranged and written. Monica's vocals aren't earth-shattering like Whitney Houston's or Mariah Carey's, but she's a very good singer nonetheless. This album spawned several singles and memorable songs from a great summer of 1995.
12. NAS - "ILLMATIC" (1994).
CLASSIC. It's more like a demo, especially given the length of the "album", but it's almost as if Nas went in, spit in the booth for 3 hours and came out with an album all in the same day. This joint was so intoxicating from the point that "It Ain't Hard To Tell" was released as a single and the video that accompanied it dropped that I was immediately a Nas fan -- and lyrically, I'll put him up against anyone, dead or alive. Listen to this one, start to finish, no skips (you can do it in less than an hour, even if you want to run a few bars back a few times because of the multis and phors) and you will be inclined to do the same.
13. THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G. - "READY TO DIE" (1994).
I dunno about anyone else, but we heard this dude for the first time in '93 and by the time his solo debut dropped, we were like -- "WHO IS THIS BIG BLACK N---A??? AND HE GOT A CRAZY EYE AND STUPID LISP??? BUT HE NICE THOUGH!!!" And that's pretty much what you have to say about Biggie. Call him ugly. Clown him because of his eye. Mock the lisp, but his stories could be envisioned on a the big screen in my your mind as he weaved them effortlessly on every track. I swear I still listen to "Ready To Die" to this day and don't skip a single track when I'm on the entire album. I mean, how can you? Each track builds off the other. Even the weakest link of the album, "Friend Of Mine" is so relevant (listen to the lyrics, you'll immediately envision situations that we've ALL either been a party to or witnessed with our friends or in high school or college life) that you can't dismiss it. This may in fact be my favorite album of ALL-TIME if you ask me on certain days.
14. THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G. - "LIFE AFTER DEATH" (1997).
So Biggie leaves us a couple of weeks before this album drops. I got the news leaving church on March 9, 1997, a few hours after he had been shot to death in Los Angeles. I was working the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game at the Greensboro Coliseum as an usher. Most of us had just found out and still couldn't believe it. We sat by our radios trying to record leaks as they hit the airwaves -- everyone between Greensboro and New York were playing tributes, mixtape tracks and unreleased music by Biggie after the news spread. Later in the year, I was living in Brooklyn at the time and went to a memorial type service during parade season. It was probably the most bittersweet part of the year, but this album STILL only blew up half of what it would have if Biggie had lived to promote it and would still be here today. One can only suppose, but we could not put this album down. It was like the purest Coke one could get their hands on.
15. PRINCE - "DIAMONDS & PEARLS" (1991).
Just when people thought Prince was washed up and had fallen off after ruling the 80s (from a non-pop standpoint -- since I know a legion of Michael Jackson stans [I'm a fan, so why would I knock him, but I'm no STAN] will come after me if I merely state that he ruled the 80s outright). Prince could not be labeled. He was not "pop", nor "rock", nor "R&B" or "Hip-Hop" (although he tried to dabble into it with "Diamonds & Pearls" as the landscape of the music industry began shifting once again as the 80s were coming to a close.
Prince has always evolved musically and in his style, so it wasn't a shock that he was able to go from 80s Glam to 90s jazzy with D&P. If anyone could make the transition and remain relevant for now nearly 35 years, wouldn't you bet the house that it would be Prince?
The tracks "Thunder", "Gett Off", "Cream", "Money Don't Matter 2 Night", "Diamonds & Pearls" and "Insatiable" are the must-listen songs, and the rest of them are still good songs -- to the point where you don't want to skip them. Especially if you listened to the album in 1991 when it was originally released.
16. PRINCE - "SIGN O' THE TIMES" (1987).
For this to have been a double album, which a couple of songs that some may deem as "filler" but are captivating (at least to Prince "fams") nonetheless, it is an accomplishment for a double album to make this list. And as many Prince fams may agree, this MAY have been his best work/album. Hard to argue against it.
"U Got The Look".
"Hot Thing".
"Adore".
Just to name a few.
17. PRINCE - "LOVESEXY" (1988).
All you can say is this album was "DIFFERENT". But to me, it was in a good way. Prince has always been creative and expressive in a multitude of ways. By 1988, his popularity was waning a bit. So critics figured he was reaching for shock value with the cover (at the time it was released, you had to ASK FOR IT SPECIFICALLY, because it came packaged covering the artwork -- remember how prudish we were in the 80s ha?) and some of the odd lyrics. Coming off the skitzo last-minute shelving of his "Black Album" that was set to drop in late 1987 (there was still an extensive black market for it, and I heard a few of the tracks in '88 as Prince performed some of them during his Lovesexy tour -- "Bob George" in particular, as my little cousins now get a kick out of hearing it), people especially figured Prince had lost his mind. But listen to the lyrics, the musicianship and appreciate the album for what it is. It's short, so it will keep your attention, but this was some of Prince's best work that went largely ignored by the general public.
18. PRINCE - "1999" (1982).
Everyone talked about "partying like it was 1999". Who do you think came up with that? Anyway, aside from that track, "Little Red Corvette" and "Delirious" the rest of the album is PURE GENIUS and a gem. "Let's Pretend We're Married" has that prototypical "Minneapolis Sound" that Prince is known for -- sounding fresh out of a video game or action movie from the early 80s. DMSR (Dance, Music, Sex, Romance) is another great one. The entire album is great. Don't just focus on the hit songs like most non-Prince fams do.
19. PUFF DADDY - "NO WAY OUT" (1997).
Yes, I know, everyone talked about how Puff had 30 ghostwriters writing for him, he stole songs, he couldn't produce a beat if his life depended on it, etc. etc. etc. Whatever. I don't claim that Puff is a great anything other than being good at getting the pulse of the public and exploiting it for profit in music. You can't knock his hustle there.
But back to the album at hand. I LOVED IT. Maybe it was because I was fiending to hear more Biggie now that he was gone and we had begun to accept it. Maybe because it was a chance to hear more Ma$e who had the streets AND the club in a smash. Or the LOX, who debuted on Biggie and Mase's albums and had another song on Puff's album ("I Got The Power"). It had cameos from everyone on the Bad Boy roster, plus Lil Kim (who was unofficially Bad Boy), and even a few bars by Jay-Z, who himself was just beginning to blow up by 1997. Great album from start to finish.
20. JAY-Z - "IN MY LIFETIME, VOL. I" (1997).
This was back when I was actually a fan of Jay. A HUGE fan. Had "Reasonable Doubt" early and I went through THREE DIFFERENT copies of this album here -- because I listened to it so often. The samples were on point. The greasy talk was catchy. The cameos were perfect. I was tight when the last track was finished playing, because I wanted to hear more. It was really after the tour for the following album that I began not liking Jay anymore, but for his first two albums, I was definitely big fan.
"Where I'm From" was definitely the most hard-hitting song on there with the sample/beat that was used and the imagery from the snippet in the video during the movie "Streets Is Watching" (which I did own, BTW).
21. SWV - "IT'S ABOUT TIME" (1992).
Who didn't like them? They had the love songs ("Weak"), the party jams ("Right Here/Human Nature"), and the joints that became soundtrack classics the following year "Anything", "Downtown" and "I'm So Into You". Those were some great times. Wish I could go back an re-live them. SWV had a nice run between 1992-1997.
22. JAY-Z - "REASONABLE DOUBT" (1996).
I had heard Jay on Hot 97 with Big L. a few weeks before this came out and I knew he had the ability. Once he linked up with Dame Dash to get the business part of things down, it was a wrap. Jay and Dame got distribution with Def Jam and now people outside of New York City knew who he was. This album was so addictive. "Can't Knock The Hustle", "Can I Live", "Friend Or Foe", "Cashmere Thoughts", you can't go wrong. In light of discoveries I've made in the past decade, I don't quite listen to Jay's early music quite the same anymore (and I can't even listen to anything released since 1999 by him as is), but this was the jumpoff, I'll admit.
23. AL B. SURE! - "IN EFFECT MODE" (1988).
Al was a funny cat. He dated and had his son young Al B. by Kim Porter (yeah, THAT Kim Porter) and Puff ends up serving as a half-stepfather/half-trust fund account bearer for the kid.
Al had some classic jams though. This album was where most of them were, though. I liked the entire album, obviously. I liked the spin he put on "Killing Me Softly", but also the hits, "Nite & Day", "Off On Your Own (Girl)" and my personal favorite, "Oooh This Love Is So..."
He had the falsetto going, and although he was no Ron Isley, he did his thing, especially during New Jack season.
24. WU-TANG CLAN - "ENTER THE WU-TANG (36 CHAMBERS)" (1993).
WHERE DO I EVEN START??? RZA's beats make me wanna fight and Wu throws so many lyrical darts at you that you cannot catch your breath from running this joint back about 50 times without listening to anything else. We did that in '93 and anyone who is just getting put onto REAL Hip-Hop should do the same. I can't even write about this album. It was THAT crazy. So many all-time tracks on ONE album. People still readily quote things that were said in some of those songs a good 17 years later.
25. MARIAH CAREY - "MARIAH CAREY" (1990).
This is where it all began for young Mariah. Pre-nose job, pre-boob job, pre-botox, pre-whack job antics, pre-Nick Cannon and Tommy Mottola and pre-cougar act. Back when she was still innocent, cute and was afraid to sing outside of the studio. She had a string of hits with every album, but the first one is always the most memorable, as some people like to say.
Honorable Mention:
Tamia - "Tamia" (1998).
R. Kelly - "12 Play" (1993).
Zhané - "Pronounced Zah-Nay" (1994).
112 - "112" (1996).
CeCe Peniston - "Finally" (1991).
Changing Faces - "Changing Faces" (1994). ***SN: I used to be CRAZY about Cherise ha.
Faith Evans - "Keep The Faith" (1998).
Ghostface Killah - "Ironman" (1996).
Ghostface Killah - "Supreme Clientele" (2000).
Raekwon - "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" (1995).
Mobb Deep - "The Infamous" (1995).
NaS - "It Was Written" (1996).
The Diplomats - "Diplomatic Immunity" (2003).
Cam'ron - "SDE" (2000).
Cam'ron - "Come Home With Me" (2002).
Janet Jackson - "janet." (1993).
Michael Jackson - "Off The Wall" (1979).
Whitney Houston - "Whitney Houston" (1985).
Whitney Houston - "Whitney" (1987).
Mariah Carey - "Emotions" (1991).
DISCUSS>>>
M.D. Wright
2.11.10
***EDITOR'S NOTE: Continuation of My Favorites, Today's Top 5 List.
Simple explanation for the records on this list: I was feeling them so much both when I bought them and to this day, that I could listen to them from start to finish without hitting "SKIP" on the CD player, iPod touch, iTunes, moving the needle on the vinyl (for some of those old records that I wish my dad had passed down to me instead of giving away ha) or wear the battery down fast forwarding the cassette in the "Walkman" back in the day.
While there aren't all that many albums that bear this distinction, I will be expanding the list to 25 for this one -- not including Honorable Mentions.
1. PRINCE - "PURPLE RAIN" (1984).I have yet to get tired of listening to this album. Twenty-five years later and all. There isn't a track on the album that I don't like. The only song I ever came close to skipping was "Take Me With U" and it grew on me by the time Prince's "Around the World in a Day" and "Under The Cherry Moon" albums dropped.
This album dropped in 1986 and I think I heard almost every track whenever we went skating (which was big to those of us who grew up in the 1980s). Timeless classics if you ask me. I liked every track start to finish easily.
3. MICHAEL JACKSON - "THRILLER" (1982).No words necessary. I even know people who weren't born when this was the craze who are huge Michael Jackson fans (although I will say "Off The Wall" was a better overall album, this one made you pay attention -- there were a couple of songs that I didn't care much for on "Off The Wall", which is why it did not make this list).
4. FAITH EVANS - "FAITH" (1995).
As I wrote in a separate column, Faith's debut album was a masterpiece. It came along at the right time, as the R&B genre of the music industry was undergoing a shift, and many high school and college students could vibe and relate to her music. The whole album sounds like one huge outpouring from Faith's heart. It fits together like a Jigsaw Puzzle.
5. JANET JACKSON - "RHYTHM NATION: 1814" (1989).Her music videos for this album were the stuff of legend. The music made you want to dance even if you didn't care about dancing. Mixed in were a few love songs and slow grooves, but Janet was OFFICIAL by 1989, if she wasn't already considered as such after the success of her "Control" album throughout 1986 and 1987 with the remixes to that same album. You could get a good workout (or two, if you will *wink*) just pressing play and letting this one play from beginning to end.
6. CARL THOMAS - "EMOTIONAL" (2000).My supposed look-alike back then in the 2000/2001 era. I never saw it, but what have you -- the album is what the drop was. We kept hearing Puff mention Carl Thomas would drop an album on the heels of the success yielded by Biggie, Mase and Puff's albums -- to go along with what Total and Faith had done between 1995-1997 themselves. We had to wait until 2000 and it was worth the wait. The music was sensual, relevant (especially to this then-21 year old) and it was good to hear that R&B wasn't dead. We were really worried about the genre after the late 90s, as we are again now in 2010 -- although I think now we've gone reprobate and past the point of no return (another topic itself for a COMPLETELY different day and time)
I think that is the reason I am waxing nostalgic more than ever about the 80s and 90s. Unlike past years, we had an artist or two bring some elements of the past back successfully and bridge the gap between our halcyon days (for me, mid-80s through the late-90s) and today and have a similar sound. I don't think we'll ever have that again with the way the music industry is structured and who "runs" things. But this was a great album for 2000, and that's all that matters.
7. MARY J. BLIGE - "WHAT'S THE 411?" (1992).This was the jumpoff for Mary's career, and she hit the ground running. It seemed like every track was on the radio back then. And even the ones that weren't, they were getting heavy play at house parties and our school dances, as I was in middle school at the time. A lot of the girls had their hair cut like Mary and wanted to be like her. And since Mary is my type of lady, I ain't mad at them for it. These were great tunes -- with Sean "Puffy" Combs (I refuse to call him "Diddy" -- we called him "Puff" in the early 90s and the only time we called him "Diddy" was when Mase and Biggie referred to him as such in the late 90s) Executive Producing the records and Directing her videos. It was good times all around.
The video "Real Love" was OD nice. "Love No Limit"? CLASSIC. Need I say more?
This album was a stark contrast to her debut, "What's The 411?". Whereas the predecessor was more upbeat, dance-oriented and overall a fun album, "My Life" seemed to be dark and mellow. It was a better album in my opinion, but that is not to take away from "What's The 411?" -- because honestly Mary's work has gotten better with each passing album since day one. She's been in the game 20 years and was great off cuffs, so there's no shock that so many of her albums made this list.
9. MARY J. BLIGE - "SHARE MY WORLD" (1997).
This one dropped right as I was graduating high school. Amazing how photographic and capsulized my memory is, right? It is uncanny. But this album was SMOOTH. That is the superlative that I would affix to it more than anything. It set the mood for probably the best summer of my life to date, 1997. I don't know if it is a good or bad thing that I haven't had a summer that good since, but here's to hoping 2010 is close to it, even though I'm 100% certain the music WON'T BE. If you haven't already, cop this album and listen to it on a Saturday night when you're too tired to go out. You will love it.
10. MARY J. BLIGE - "MARY" (2000).Not what I was expecting, per sé, after "Share My World" was released in 1997, but she followed up the 1997 release with a similar album. I figured she was going to go back to the painful songs ha. But hey, by 1997, Mary was rid of the major culprit (K-Ci of Jodeci) of the pain in her life, so there was no reason to continue singing such poignant tunes -- although some people sing blues and don't really have them. Mary's "My Life" hit extra hard because she wrote the lyrics and they were deeply personal. "Mary" was similar in that fashion, just that you could tell Mary's life was starting to take a turn for the better -- and she experienced a great decade after the release of this album in 2000.
11. MONICA - "MISS THANG" (1995).If I didn't look at Monica and see her girlish figure in 1995, I would've thought she was a good 10 years older than she was. To be singing such songs with a powerful voice out of such a small frame at age 15 was remarkable. Shades of Stephanie Mills. The album was very well conceived, arranged and written. Monica's vocals aren't earth-shattering like Whitney Houston's or Mariah Carey's, but she's a very good singer nonetheless. This album spawned several singles and memorable songs from a great summer of 1995.
12. NAS - "ILLMATIC" (1994).
CLASSIC. It's more like a demo, especially given the length of the "album", but it's almost as if Nas went in, spit in the booth for 3 hours and came out with an album all in the same day. This joint was so intoxicating from the point that "It Ain't Hard To Tell" was released as a single and the video that accompanied it dropped that I was immediately a Nas fan -- and lyrically, I'll put him up against anyone, dead or alive. Listen to this one, start to finish, no skips (you can do it in less than an hour, even if you want to run a few bars back a few times because of the multis and phors) and you will be inclined to do the same.
13. THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G. - "READY TO DIE" (1994).
I dunno about anyone else, but we heard this dude for the first time in '93 and by the time his solo debut dropped, we were like -- "WHO IS THIS BIG BLACK N---A??? AND HE GOT A CRAZY EYE AND STUPID LISP??? BUT HE NICE THOUGH!!!" And that's pretty much what you have to say about Biggie. Call him ugly. Clown him because of his eye. Mock the lisp, but his stories could be envisioned on a the big screen in my your mind as he weaved them effortlessly on every track. I swear I still listen to "Ready To Die" to this day and don't skip a single track when I'm on the entire album. I mean, how can you? Each track builds off the other. Even the weakest link of the album, "Friend Of Mine" is so relevant (listen to the lyrics, you'll immediately envision situations that we've ALL either been a party to or witnessed with our friends or in high school or college life) that you can't dismiss it. This may in fact be my favorite album of ALL-TIME if you ask me on certain days.
So Biggie leaves us a couple of weeks before this album drops. I got the news leaving church on March 9, 1997, a few hours after he had been shot to death in Los Angeles. I was working the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game at the Greensboro Coliseum as an usher. Most of us had just found out and still couldn't believe it. We sat by our radios trying to record leaks as they hit the airwaves -- everyone between Greensboro and New York were playing tributes, mixtape tracks and unreleased music by Biggie after the news spread. Later in the year, I was living in Brooklyn at the time and went to a memorial type service during parade season. It was probably the most bittersweet part of the year, but this album STILL only blew up half of what it would have if Biggie had lived to promote it and would still be here today. One can only suppose, but we could not put this album down. It was like the purest Coke one could get their hands on.
15. PRINCE - "DIAMONDS & PEARLS" (1991).Just when people thought Prince was washed up and had fallen off after ruling the 80s (from a non-pop standpoint -- since I know a legion of Michael Jackson stans [I'm a fan, so why would I knock him, but I'm no STAN] will come after me if I merely state that he ruled the 80s outright). Prince could not be labeled. He was not "pop", nor "rock", nor "R&B" or "Hip-Hop" (although he tried to dabble into it with "Diamonds & Pearls" as the landscape of the music industry began shifting once again as the 80s were coming to a close.
Prince has always evolved musically and in his style, so it wasn't a shock that he was able to go from 80s Glam to 90s jazzy with D&P. If anyone could make the transition and remain relevant for now nearly 35 years, wouldn't you bet the house that it would be Prince?
The tracks "Thunder", "Gett Off", "Cream", "Money Don't Matter 2 Night", "Diamonds & Pearls" and "Insatiable" are the must-listen songs, and the rest of them are still good songs -- to the point where you don't want to skip them. Especially if you listened to the album in 1991 when it was originally released.
For this to have been a double album, which a couple of songs that some may deem as "filler" but are captivating (at least to Prince "fams") nonetheless, it is an accomplishment for a double album to make this list. And as many Prince fams may agree, this MAY have been his best work/album. Hard to argue against it.
"U Got The Look".
"Hot Thing".
"Adore".
Just to name a few.
17. PRINCE - "LOVESEXY" (1988).
All you can say is this album was "DIFFERENT". But to me, it was in a good way. Prince has always been creative and expressive in a multitude of ways. By 1988, his popularity was waning a bit. So critics figured he was reaching for shock value with the cover (at the time it was released, you had to ASK FOR IT SPECIFICALLY, because it came packaged covering the artwork -- remember how prudish we were in the 80s ha?) and some of the odd lyrics. Coming off the skitzo last-minute shelving of his "Black Album" that was set to drop in late 1987 (there was still an extensive black market for it, and I heard a few of the tracks in '88 as Prince performed some of them during his Lovesexy tour -- "Bob George" in particular, as my little cousins now get a kick out of hearing it), people especially figured Prince had lost his mind. But listen to the lyrics, the musicianship and appreciate the album for what it is. It's short, so it will keep your attention, but this was some of Prince's best work that went largely ignored by the general public.
Everyone talked about "partying like it was 1999". Who do you think came up with that? Anyway, aside from that track, "Little Red Corvette" and "Delirious" the rest of the album is PURE GENIUS and a gem. "Let's Pretend We're Married" has that prototypical "Minneapolis Sound" that Prince is known for -- sounding fresh out of a video game or action movie from the early 80s. DMSR (Dance, Music, Sex, Romance) is another great one. The entire album is great. Don't just focus on the hit songs like most non-Prince fams do.
19. PUFF DADDY - "NO WAY OUT" (1997).Yes, I know, everyone talked about how Puff had 30 ghostwriters writing for him, he stole songs, he couldn't produce a beat if his life depended on it, etc. etc. etc. Whatever. I don't claim that Puff is a great anything other than being good at getting the pulse of the public and exploiting it for profit in music. You can't knock his hustle there.
But back to the album at hand. I LOVED IT. Maybe it was because I was fiending to hear more Biggie now that he was gone and we had begun to accept it. Maybe because it was a chance to hear more Ma$e who had the streets AND the club in a smash. Or the LOX, who debuted on Biggie and Mase's albums and had another song on Puff's album ("I Got The Power"). It had cameos from everyone on the Bad Boy roster, plus Lil Kim (who was unofficially Bad Boy), and even a few bars by Jay-Z, who himself was just beginning to blow up by 1997. Great album from start to finish.
20. JAY-Z - "IN MY LIFETIME, VOL. I" (1997).This was back when I was actually a fan of Jay. A HUGE fan. Had "Reasonable Doubt" early and I went through THREE DIFFERENT copies of this album here -- because I listened to it so often. The samples were on point. The greasy talk was catchy. The cameos were perfect. I was tight when the last track was finished playing, because I wanted to hear more. It was really after the tour for the following album that I began not liking Jay anymore, but for his first two albums, I was definitely big fan.
"Where I'm From" was definitely the most hard-hitting song on there with the sample/beat that was used and the imagery from the snippet in the video during the movie "Streets Is Watching" (which I did own, BTW).
Who didn't like them? They had the love songs ("Weak"), the party jams ("Right Here/Human Nature"), and the joints that became soundtrack classics the following year "Anything", "Downtown" and "I'm So Into You". Those were some great times. Wish I could go back an re-live them. SWV had a nice run between 1992-1997.
22. JAY-Z - "REASONABLE DOUBT" (1996).I had heard Jay on Hot 97 with Big L. a few weeks before this came out and I knew he had the ability. Once he linked up with Dame Dash to get the business part of things down, it was a wrap. Jay and Dame got distribution with Def Jam and now people outside of New York City knew who he was. This album was so addictive. "Can't Knock The Hustle", "Can I Live", "Friend Or Foe", "Cashmere Thoughts", you can't go wrong. In light of discoveries I've made in the past decade, I don't quite listen to Jay's early music quite the same anymore (and I can't even listen to anything released since 1999 by him as is), but this was the jumpoff, I'll admit.
23. AL B. SURE! - "IN EFFECT MODE" (1988).Al was a funny cat. He dated and had his son young Al B. by Kim Porter (yeah, THAT Kim Porter) and Puff ends up serving as a half-stepfather/half-trust fund account bearer for the kid.
Al had some classic jams though. This album was where most of them were, though. I liked the entire album, obviously. I liked the spin he put on "Killing Me Softly", but also the hits, "Nite & Day", "Off On Your Own (Girl)" and my personal favorite, "Oooh This Love Is So..."
He had the falsetto going, and although he was no Ron Isley, he did his thing, especially during New Jack season.
24. WU-TANG CLAN - "ENTER THE WU-TANG (36 CHAMBERS)" (1993).WHERE DO I EVEN START??? RZA's beats make me wanna fight and Wu throws so many lyrical darts at you that you cannot catch your breath from running this joint back about 50 times without listening to anything else. We did that in '93 and anyone who is just getting put onto REAL Hip-Hop should do the same. I can't even write about this album. It was THAT crazy. So many all-time tracks on ONE album. People still readily quote things that were said in some of those songs a good 17 years later.
25. MARIAH CAREY - "MARIAH CAREY" (1990).This is where it all began for young Mariah. Pre-nose job, pre-boob job, pre-botox, pre-whack job antics, pre-Nick Cannon and Tommy Mottola and pre-cougar act. Back when she was still innocent, cute and was afraid to sing outside of the studio. She had a string of hits with every album, but the first one is always the most memorable, as some people like to say.
Honorable Mention:
Tamia - "Tamia" (1998).
R. Kelly - "12 Play" (1993).
Zhané - "Pronounced Zah-Nay" (1994).
112 - "112" (1996).
CeCe Peniston - "Finally" (1991).
Changing Faces - "Changing Faces" (1994). ***SN: I used to be CRAZY about Cherise ha.
Faith Evans - "Keep The Faith" (1998).
Ghostface Killah - "Ironman" (1996).
Ghostface Killah - "Supreme Clientele" (2000).
Raekwon - "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" (1995).
Mobb Deep - "The Infamous" (1995).
NaS - "It Was Written" (1996).
The Diplomats - "Diplomatic Immunity" (2003).
Cam'ron - "SDE" (2000).
Cam'ron - "Come Home With Me" (2002).
Janet Jackson - "janet." (1993).
Michael Jackson - "Off The Wall" (1979).
Whitney Houston - "Whitney Houston" (1985).
Whitney Houston - "Whitney" (1987).
Mariah Carey - "Emotions" (1991).
DISCUSS>>>
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