Filmmaker Rik Cordero is one of my favorite video directors in the biz right now. And for the record, I have been given Rik props since Joell Ortiz's 2007 video, "Brooklyn Bullshit" (checkthearchives). So I'm not jumping on the bandwagon, fools.
So far, Rik has helmed two excellent videos for two of my favorite summer songs.
"I drew my inspiration from the ending of Larry Clark’s "Kids" in which Slaughterhouse wakes up in a penthouse hotel after a highly promiscuous party. The performance shots recall what happened the night before as they see liquor, garbage and half naked women strewn throughout the rooms. Enjoy!
Slaughterhouse's video also reminds me of N.E.R.D.'s very first video for their 2007 single, "Lap Dance." Remember that clip? You don't? Well, through the magic of YouTube you can watch it right HERE.
K'Jon has released a new video for his tranquil ballad "On the Ocean," which has become an airplay mainstay on urban contemportary radio. In the clip, the Detroit crooner plays a recently unemployed factory worker who pursues his dream of becoming a restaurateur. The video speaks to the ballad's own inspirational message that if you stay focused on your dreams they will eventually come true. The clip features some great "step" dancing, as well. The song is from K'Jon's upcoming album, I Get Around (due Aug. 4).
The Michael Jackson memorial did something that the media probably has failed to do in the last 25 years of the King of Pop's life -- it humanized him.
Thousands of mourners pay their final respects to the greatest entertainer that ever lived -- Michael Jackson. Civil right leaders, sports figures, music artists all came together Tuesday (July 7) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and eulogized a man who has touched the world a million times over. "We come together to 'Remember the Time'," the Reverend Lucious Smith told mourners at the beginning of what would become a tasteful and emotional ceremony. Motown Records dignitaries Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy, Jr. recall their moments of meeting a young 10-year-old Michael and their wonderment of a little boy who had so much talent. When Smokey heard Michael out-sang a song that he wrote, "Who's Loving You," he thought: "This boy cannot possibly be 10 years old. This song is about somebody who had somebody who loved him, but they treated him bad . . . and now they are paying the price . . . how could he possibly know these things? I quickly went over to him because I wanted to see his birth certificate." He concluded, "The world will never, ever forget Michael Jackson."
Other celebrities like Brooke Shields, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Kenny Oretega and others shared funny anecdotes and remembered Michael for his innocence, talent, generosity and love for life. Reverend Al Sharpton spoke of the singer's racial-barrier busting achievements and addressed Michael's three surviving children: "There wasn't nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what your daddy had to deal with."
Not only did The Michael Jackson memorial featured heartfelt speeches from dignitaries but also emotional performances from several music artists. Mariah Carey (with Trey Lorenz) led the list of performers, singing her rendition of the Jackson 5's classic song, "I'll Be There." Another teary-eyed moment came from Stevie Wonder who sung a medley that was apropos for such an occasion -- his 1971 ballad "Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer" and a lesser-known 1974 song, "They Won't Go When I Go."
**True Confession: I wept during Stevie's performance. God Bless Stevie Wonder**
(Click HERE for pictures from the Michael Jackson Memorial)
As the day continued, the memorial featured several heart-tugging performances. Lionel Richie sung the spiritual "Jesus Is Love," a very pregnant Jennifer Hudson performed "Will You Be There" and John Mayer strummed his guitar to recreate "Human Nature." Two musical centerpieces of the day: Usher getting choked up while singing "Gone Too Soon" as he looked at Michael's casket; and Jermaine Jackson performing Michael's favorite song, "Smile," a tune written by Charlie Chaplin for his 1936 film Modern Times. The finale featured the London cast of Michael's This Is It Tour as well as the Jackson Family as they collectively sang, "We Are the World" and "Heal the World," respectively.
The memorial ended with Michael's 11-year-old daughter, Paris Michael Katherine, telling mourners, "Daddy has been the best father you can imagine." Paris's lasting comments for once humanized Michael. He wasn't a freak, he wasn't this so-called pervert, he wasn't this reclusive entertainer hiding at Neverland Ranch.
Michael Jackson was actually . . . a doting father. Go figure?
It seems so. After 16 years of reporting on hip-hop, R&B and fashion, Vibe magazine has ended its publication run. The magazine has succumbed to the recession, declining readership and even more declining music and fashion industry. It's so sad. We have lost our (urban America) voice in the publishing world.
I'm not going to front -- magazines like the Source and Vibe magazine inspired me to write about hip-hop and R&B music. I have always dreamed that one-day I would joined the staff of Vibe. I even sent my resume and clips to their offices (circa 1998-1999) with the hopes of getting some freelance work. No dice.
Nevertheless, what I will remember fondly about Vibe is their eye-popping covers. I still have -- in mint condition -- Vibe's first-issued newsstand copy, which is the one with Treach (from Naughty by Nature) on the cover with his arms folded. And I have other cover stars: Rosie Perez, an Afro-ed Ice Cube, Aaliyah tribute, Biggie tribute, Tupac Shakur (but the cover is ripped up -Ugh!) and a slew of others.
And of course, Vibe magazine also will be remembered for its journalism. Their controversial coverage of the East Coast/West Coast hip-hop rivalry had me running to the newsstands monthly without fail. And their "Revolutions" album reviews section was always on-point. I loved reading what cultural critic/author Scott Poulson-Bryant had to say about a particular album.
And much like Michael Jackson is/was the King of Pop, Vibe magazine is/was the King of Urban Magazine. The publication's influence and journalistic impact on the hip-hop and R&B industry is forever etched in popular culture.
Unfortunately, Vibe magazine shuttered its doors just as they were assigning and editing a Michael Jackson tribute issue. And so, there won't be a MJ Tribute from Vibe. Damn.
From the Web:
Quincy Jones is in the process of buying back Vibe magazine and turn it into an online magazine. "You better believe it, I'mma take it online because print and all that stuff is over," he told Ebonyjet.com. (Source)
RapRadar Makes It Official: R.I.P. Vibe Magazine (press release from former Vibe Media Group Content Officer Danyel Smith)
11:25 RT @BKWheresMars Working on a master plan. You thought it was over You thought wrong! -- A Spike Lee Block Party in BK would be nice #
11:27 RT @BKWheresMars Working on a master plan. You thought it was over You thought wrong! -- Or a "Do The Right Thing" showing in Prospect Park. #
11:47 Ch eck out my blog post: Five Thrilling Michael Jackson Covers" (twitthis.com/zutta6) #
12:57 RT @QueenEnvy My dream is to one day be able to watch an award show w/ my daughter that truly reps us & not be completely embarrassed. -- Agreed! #
13:12 New Blog Post: "Five Thrilling Michael Jackson Covers" (twitthis.com/zutta6) #
13:20 Wow! People are dying left and right. Please make it stop! -- Celebrity Impressionist Fred Travalena Has Died tinyurl.com/koz6zw#
14:06 It's scary how TMZ is on top of the journalism game with their Michael Jackson updates. It would be nice if they would do this all the time #
15:01 RT @AquaAHH Ma$e hoppin on a Drake remix reeks of desperation. As if that's going 2 make people forget his last album was buttocks ~>Agreed! #
15:16 #musicmonday: Listening to Maxwell's CD BLACKsummer'snight --> tinyurl.com/nse3zx#
16:17 RT @foliomag Michael Jackson Cover Blitz: Jackson commemorative issues could set record total sales for weeklies: tinyurl.com/mqltos#
16:22 The Hottest MILF in America Right Now --> tinyurl.com/n7ab6tTaraji P. Henson. Good Lawwd! Holla! (aside from @vasbestkept -*wink*) #
16:30 This trailer is funny as hell --> "Skank Robbers" (starring Martin Lawrence & Jamie Foxx) www.twitvid.com/DE575. Heeey! #
17:18 RT @vasbestkept Michael Jackson Tribute tee by DC's own . . . pretty hot! RT @clockwisedc bit.ly/A0FKl reserve yours now! #
17:20 RT @LaBlaxicana LA, DC, NYC --> new event flyers tinyurl.com/nofrtw . . . Women in Hip Hop! #
17:22 #musicmonday Best R&B/Soul Album of the Year: Listening to Maxwell's CD BLACKsummer'snight -- tinyurl.com/nse3zx#
Holla!
Trent's "Twitterings" are automatically shipped by LoudTwitter. And eff yo Twitter.
While I was surfing the Internet and listening/watching several Michael Jackson tributes online, I stumbled across the Daily Swarm's article Five Atrocious Michael Jackson Covers, which lists five of the worst MJ covers songs performed by music artists. Fall Out Boy's punk-rock "Beat It," Chris Cornell's acoustic take of "Billie Jean" and Alien Ant Farm's guitar-charged "Smooth Criminal," among others are featured on the list.
But then it hit me that '90s R&B crooner Al B. Sure! recently sung a cover of Michael Jackson's touching ballad, "Lady In My Life,"on his just-released new album, Honey, I'm Home. "Lady In My Life," which was penned by songwriter Rod Temperton (of Heatwave fame), appears on Mike's best-selling-album-ever 1982's Thriller. Al B. Sure!'s remake is elegant as the original version and his falsetto gives the song a nice tender touch.
So I was inspired by the Daily Swarm's piece, to put together a list of the Five Thrilling Michael Jackson Covers:
As I explained above, Al B. Sure did a great job reworking Michael's classic ballad from the Thriller album. I'm quite sure Al B. Sure was shook when he heard the news that MJ has passed away -- especially since it happened just two days after he released his album. What a sad twist of fate.
**ADDED BONUS: Check out Ne-Yo's version of "Lady In My Life" at the BET Awards this past Sunday, right HERE.
KT Tunstall - "I Want You Back" (Jackson 5 cover)
I watched KT Tunstall performed on PBS' SoundStage and she was phenomenal. I was surfing on YouTube for some old KT clips and found this gem -- her acoustic flip of Jackson 5's "I Want You Back." She added a little country twang to the Jackson's Motown classic.
Tarrus Riley -- "Human Nature" (MJ Cover)
Tarrus Riley is a wonderful roots-reggae crooner that is mostly known for his reworking of John Legend's ballad "Stay With You." His take on Michael Jackson's "Human Nature" originally appeared on a reggae charity album, and it will also be featured on his upcoming disc, Contagious (due Aug. 4).
Maysa Leak -- "I Can't Help It" (MJ Cover)
Maysa Leak is the wonderful vocalist from the U.K. jazz troupe Incognito. And if you don't who Incognito is -- get familiar, google them. This MJ cover is from Maysa's 2007 covers album Feel the Fire. The collection boasts Maysa's reinterpretation of such classic gems as Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" and Chaka Khan's "Feel the Fire," among others. Here, she offers a nice smooth jazz reworking of Michael's "I Can't Help It."
Marsha Ambrosius -- "Butterflies"
Floetry originally penned this song in 1997 and held on to it. Fours years later, they gave it to Michael Jackson and he recorded it for his final album, Invincible (2001). Then, in 2003, the duo flipped the song for their live album Floacism. I actually prefer Floetry's version better -- maybe it's Marsha's angelic falsetto that appeals to me.
