April - 2017

Mary J. Blige: Strength, Pain and Triumph

Pain can bring out the best in an artist. Yes, this is fortunate for the fans but at times a heavy burden on the musician. Over the years we’ve seen Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Johnny Cash, Lauryn Hill and later Amy Winehouse speak about battling demons from within. The result often ended in records that showcased emotions most artist could only hope to reach. Mary J. Blige fall into this category as well. As a young woman her voice provided fans with her pleasure and pain. As

Chuck D: The Grown Man of Rap Music

In 1988 during my Junior High School years I heard my older brother playing Public Enemy’s sophomore album, It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back. This was actually my introduction to the group and lead MC, Chuck D. Looking back, it’s funny that I heard this album before I heard PE’s debut Yo! Bum Rush The Show. As for Chuck D, my first impression of him in 1988 was similar to how I felt about Rakim. They were both very conscious and mature as young men. As a rap mus

Phonte' - The Underrated MC from NC

Back in 2005, I ran into 9th Wonder in Raleigh outside a Hip Hop event. We talked about Little Brother's new LP The Minstrel Show. He played me several tracks in his Truck and of course, I thought it was dope. It was a few weeks from being released. I was still giving their first album The Listening a lot of run in my car. I was like "Phonte' is nice bruh." He was like, "Nah man, he is not just nice. He is one of the best MC's in the game period." I thought dude could rap but

Muhammad Ali – How to Maximize a LIFE

I’m sure most people walking this earth could only dream of having an existence so fulfilling as Ali. Talk about maximizing your time and life. There have been plenty books, documentaries, articles and a movie on the life of Muhammad Ali. That said, it is impossible for me to say something about his life that you don’t already know. So, what’s the point of this blog? Ali’s life in my opinion can be used as a case study in regard to getting the most out of every breath. By the

30th Anniversary of Prince/Sign o' the Times Album...Wow!

Artwork provided by David R. Gaines "Prince/Sign o' the Times (30th Anniversary)" From what I remember, by the time Prince released his 6th album Purple Rain in 1984, people called it an instant classic and his best album to date. Well, just three years later, the great one did the impossible. Prince dropped the soul sonic mastery of Sign o’ the Times on March 31, 1987. Yes, 30 years ago. By this time in his career, he could have probably went on cruise control but of cours