Tag Archives: traditions

Jeannie Mai Didn’t Speak To Her Mom For 8 Years Because She Didn’t Believe Her Cousin Molested Her

Posted on May 23, 2019 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

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Source: Image Group LA / Getty Earlier this month on “The Real,” Jeannie Mai revealed that  she and mother were estranged for eight years . Essentially, the two disowned one another. Jeannie left the family home, she and her mother didn’t speak and on the rare occasions when they did find themselves in the same place, at the same time, it was often tense and violent. During the episode, Jeannie didn’t share why she stopped speaking to her mother. She simply said their relationship suffered “because she wasn’t supportive to me when I needed her most at that time.” Text “RICKEY” to 71007 to join the Rickey Smiley Morning Show mobile club for exclusive news.  ( Terms and conditions ). I had an inkling that she was referring to the sexual abuse she endured as a child, which she also spoke about on “The Real,” but I wasn’t sure. Well, in a very emotional, tear-jerking video on her YouTube channel, she and her mother sat down to explain that the two didn’t speak from the time Jeannie was 16 until she was 24-years-old because of the way her mother reacted to the admission that Jeannie was being molested. Sign Up For Our Newsletter! Close Thank you for subscribing! Please be sure to open and click your first newsletter so we can confirm your subscription. Email Submit Jeannie: Coming from an Asian culture, specifically Vietnamese, Chinese, we don’t usually have therapeutic conversations. We don’t talk out our problems. We don’t usually have family meetings where we say, ‘Hey guys, I’m hurting.’ There are problems, but most of time, you keep it to yourself. Even though Mama Mai grew up in a culture where you hide your problems, you tried to teach me to be proud of who you are, to speak up, don’t let somebody else silence your voice. I grew up with an Americanized way of thinking but with my mom who still had traditional ways, there still is a learning curve to connect the two. When my second brother was born, there were three kids in the house now, so Mama Mai had to take on a second job so she became very busy, we needed to find a babysitter. So we called upon a family member. This family member came over every single day and stayed with me after school and became a really cool, iconic person in my life. This person was about 16, 17 and I was 9…And I just remember one day, this person sitting really close to me, we were playing video games and he started to touch my thigh. Every day, the touching continued a little bit more. Him taking off some of my clothes. I remember him pulling me into that shower. It was the first time I’d ever seen a grown man and what he looked like. I remember him telling me to touch him in certain ways. And this happened every day for a few weeks and then it turned into months and then I remember one year going by. I didn’t want to say anything because I was afraid. Honestly, I knew that you and dad were struggling with money and I knew that we had to have a babysitter so I was afraid of getting him in trouble because then who would watch over us. And you were always really tired because you had two jobs and you were stressed out. He said certain things that would make me afraid of making you angry at me. He said things like, “Your mom’s going to hit you if you talk about the family.” “Nobody’s going to believe you. People think little girls like you are crazy.” I would come home and go to my room and I just kind of knew he would come in at some point. And there was nowhere in my house to run to. At this point, I’m like a teenager, like 13, 14 and I remember getting quieter. I started getting nightmares. I feel like you and I got farther from each other because you were working so much. I approached my mom and I tried to tell you what had happened. You were in the kitchen you were cooking something and I remember telling her, almost pleading with her, ‘I don’t like this person. I don’t want to stay at home with him anymore, please stay home with me.’ I remember you were confused. I think you thought we were fighting like kids fighting. The words I was saying was trying to get my mom to get him to leave. But I wasn’t able to say it clearly. So she didn’t get it. SO she just said, ‘You guys don’t like each other right now, just ignore each other for now.’ And I kind of went back to my own corner and he was becoming more aggressive with what he was doing to me, in private. So I went to my mom and I said, ’[This person] was doing things to me that gave me nightmares. You looked really confused.” Mama Mai: I don’t realize what you trying to say. Jeannie Mai: I told you he tried to take off my clothes. Mama Mai: I don’t believe it. That’s my reaction because his parents is divorced. So my father bring him to our house at one years old. He’s like a real son. He talked to me, he respected me. He’s very sweet, he’s really nice. If I ask for help, he’s going to do it. So when you tell me, I feel like it’s not right. It doesn’t match up. I don’t believe it and I just let it go. I should have get action to ask him. Maybe I can say I’m stupid or I didn’t pay attention. I never think he going to do that. I never because I love him very much. Jeannie: But did you love him more than your daughter? Who was trying to tell you something? Mama Mai: I love him more than you because at that time I’m thinking, he has no parents. I bring him to my house, I feel like I rescue him. At least you have father, you have mother. Him have nobody… I got tricked because I didn’t see anything bad about him. He’s a part of the family. Jeannie: So, in that moment, I was about 15. I remember distinctly those words, ‘I don’t believe you. He wouldn’t do that. That’s your cousin. This is in your head.’ I felt by myself. I even got to the point where I asked myself, did I imagine these things? I knew that it wasn’t just in my head. And that’s when I started to separate from you mom. I decided at 16, I ran away from home. So I packed up my things, I left the house and moved to San Francisco. And pretty much have been independent since 16. I spent 9 years, almost ten years never celebrating Mother’s Day, never celebrating Christmases with my family, all of the traditions we always did, it stopped completely. My mom was mad at me for running away because she felt that that was disrespectful and I hated you at the time… Mama Mai: At that time I feel like, if you want to run away, you want to learn the hard way, go ahead, run. I don’t need that kind of daughter. That’s how I feel. Jeannie: For anybody who has distance from your family member or maybe even a broken connection with your mom, you feel it. So at that time, my mom was doing her own thing and I had to find a way to reconnect with her. I finally got to where you were at that moment. I knocked at the door and as soon as the door opened, we went at it, the ugly cry, the ugly scream, the scene from “Love and Hip Hop” everything you can think of. And I said it one more time, ‘You never believed me when I needed you to.” You listened. You said, ‘What do you mean? What are you talking about?’ I said, ‘I told you this person, this family member has been touching me and has been doing things to me for years and you never helped me.’ All of a sudden you stopped and you said, ‘Tell me everything.’ And I told you everything he did. Mama Mai: I don’t know why I really listened to every single detail and I’m really shocked. This is a real thing that happened to my family. It make me feel guilty and make me feel so bad and make me cannot sleep. And I want to come over to his house. I want to punch him, I want to put him in jail. I cannot believe this happened to my daughter and she run away because I don’t believe her. I have to say I’m really sorry because I don’t know what happened. I don’t know why I loved that boy and I take care of like a real son and he do that to you. I cannot believe it. Jeannie: Mom, I obviously forgive you now. You’re my best friend. But I’ll never forget why you didn’t believe me. And even when you say that you loved him more than me because you felt bad for him, I don’t understand. Mama Mai: That’s how I feel. The only thing I can say is that I’m really sorry. The whole night I cannot sleep. And in the morning, I came over to his house. I ask him ‘Why you do that to my daughter?’ What did you do? Can you tell me what’s going on? He’s shocked and then he said, ‘I didn’t do anything. Who told you?’ I say, ‘My daughter told me. You better tell me right now before I call the police.’ I’m so mad, I just do it without you. I almost slap you and he begging me. ‘Please don’t say anything. Please don’t say anything.’ He told me forgive him because he’s too young, he doesn’t know what he’s doing. And that he know he stupid.’ Then he said, ‘Can you please tell Jeannie that we can talk so I can buy a present for her.’ Jeannie: Oh my God. Mama Mai: I try to tell him, my daughter hates people like that. And if she writes a book she’s talking about you. And I cannot stop my daughter. I feel embarrassed. What did I do to her? How come I don’t on her side? I be on your side. Right now, if I can kill you, you the first one on my list. Jeannie: I wish you told me you went to his house. That part was all I needed, that you supported me and you defended me. How come you never told me? That right there was all I needed to know that you believed me and that you listened and that you would go and try to do something about it. I know that I’m crying right now but I feel like you just set something free in me. Because you believed me enough to go to his house and say something to him. That’s all I needed to see mom! You didn’t tell me this for years. Mama Mai: The reason I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to think back again. It’s already over. Let me take care of him. I feel like if I bring it back to you, it would make you more hurt. And I don’t want that, that’s why I let it go. Jeannie: I understand you now mom, but you have to realize what he did to me, that hurt. But my own mother not believing me that hurts more. I’m so happy right now because all I needed to know is that you are behind me, you support me and you believe me. This is all I needed my entire life. My mom knows her daughter and when her daughter says she’s not okay, you will be there for me and fight for me. You can watch the full video of the conversation in the video below. Source : MadameNoire.com ALSO TRENDING ON RICKEYSMILEYMORNINGSHOW.COM : Keke Palmer Reveals She Had Abortion Trey Songz Welcomes Baby Boy, Noah [PHOTOS] Monica Opens Up About Her Divorce From Shannon Brown [VIDEO] Follow @TheRSMS

Jeannie Mai Didn’t Speak To Her Mom For 8 Years Because She Didn’t Believe Her Cousin Molested Her

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Fats Domino, Rock ‘N’ Roll Pioneer Has Died At Age 89

Posted on October 25, 2017 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

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NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Fats Domino , the amiable rock ‘n’ roll pioneer whose steady, pounding piano and easy baritone helped change popular music while honoring the traditions of the Crescent City, died Tuesday. He was 89. Mark Bone, chief investigator with the Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, coroner’s office, said Domino died of natural causes at 3:30 a.m. Tuesday. In appearance, he was no Elvis Presley. He stood 5-feet-5 and weighed more than 200 pounds, with a wide, boyish smile and a haircut as flat as an album cover. But Domino sold more than 110 million records, with hits including “Blueberry Hill,” ”Ain’t It a Shame” and other standards of rock ‘n’ roll. He was one of the first 10 honorees named to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Rolling Stone Record Guide likened him to Benjamin Franklin, the beloved old man of a revolutionary movement. His dynamic performance style and warm vocals drew crowds for five decades. One of his show-stopping stunts was playing the piano while standing, throwing his body against it with the beat of the music and bumping the grand piano across the stage. Domino’s 1956 version of “Blueberry Hill” was selected for the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry of historic sound recordings worthy of preservation. The preservation board noted that Domino insisted on performing the song despite his producer’s doubts, adding that Domino’s “New Orleans roots are evident in the Creole inflected cadences that add richness and depth to the performance.” Domino became a global star but stayed true to his hometown, where his fate was initially unknown after Hurricane Katrina struck in August 2005. It turned out that he and his family were rescued by boat from his home, where he lost three pianos and dozens of gold and platinum records, along with other memorabilia. Many wondered if he would ever return to the stage. Scheduled to perform at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 2006, he simply tipped his hat to thousands of cheering fans. But in May 2007, he was back, performing at Tipitina’s music club in New Orleans. Fans cheered — and some cried — as Domino played “I’m Walkin’,” ”Ain’t It a Shame,” ”Shake, Rattle and Roll,” ”Blueberry Hill” and a host of other hits. That performance was a highlight during several rough years. After losing their home and almost all their belongings to the floods, his wife of more than 50 years, Rosemary, died in April 2008. Domino moved to the New Orleans suburb of Harvey after the storm but would often visit his publishing house, an extension of his old home in the Lower 9th Ward, inspiring many with his determination to stay in the city he loved. “Fats embodies everything good about New Orleans,” his friend David Lind said in a 2008 interview. “He’s warm, fun-loving, spiritual, creative and humble. You don’t get more New Orleans than that.” The son of a violin player, Antoine Domino Jr. was born on Feb. 26, 1928, to a family that grew to include nine children. As a youth, he taught himself popular piano styles — ragtime, blues, and boogie-woogie — after his cousin left an old upright in the house. Fats Waller and Albert Ammons were early influences. He quit school at age 14 and worked days in a factory while playing and singing in local juke joints at night. In 1949, Domino was playing at the Hideaway Club for $3 a week when he was signed by the Imperial record company. He recorded his first song, “The Fat Man,” in the back of a tiny French Quarter recording studio. “They call me the Fat Man because I weigh 200 pounds,” he sang. “All the girls, they love me, ’cause I know my way around.” In 1955, he broke into the white pop charts with “Ain’t it a Shame” — but actually sang the lyrics as “ain’t that a shame.” The song was covered blandly by Pat Boone as “Ain’t That a Shame” and rocked out years later by Cheap Trick. Domino enjoyed a parade of successes through the early 1960s, including “Be My Guest” and “I’m Ready.” Another hit, “I’m Walkin,’” became the debut single for Ricky Nelson. Domino appeared in the rock ‘n’ roll film “The Girl Can’t Help It” and was among the first black performers to be featured in popular music shows, starring with Buddy Holly and the Everly Brothers . He also helped bridge rock ‘n’ roll and other styles — even country/western, recording Hank Williams’ “Jambalaya” and Bobby Charles’ “Walkin’ to New Orleans.” Like many of his peers, Domino’s popularity tapered off in the 1960s as British and psychedelic rock held sway. Domino told Ebony magazine that he stopped recording because companies wanted him to update his style. “I refused to change,” he said. “I had to stick to my own style that I’ve always used or it just wouldn’t be me.” Antoine and Rosemary Domino raised eight children in the same ramshackle neighborhood where he grew up, but they did it in style — in a white mansion, trimmed in pink, yellow and lavender. The front double doors opened into an atrium with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and ivory dominos set in a white marble floor. In 1988, all of New Orleans seemed to be talking about him after he reportedly paid in cash for two Cadillacs and a $130,000 Rolls-Royce. When the salesman asked if he wanted to call his bank about financing, Domino smiled and said, “I am the bank.” In 1998, he became the first purely rock ‘n’ roll musician to be awarded the National Medal for the Arts. But he cited his age and didn’t make the trip to the White House to get the medal from President Clinton. That was typical. Aside from rare appearances in New Orleans, he dodged the spotlight in his later years, refusing to appear in public or even to give interviews. Like BlackAmericaWeb.com on  Facebook . Follow us on  Twitter  and   Instagram Sign Up For Our Newsletter! Close Thank you for subscribing! Please be sure to open and click your first newsletter so we can confirm your subscription. Email Submit (AP Photo/Doug Parker, File & AP Photo/Richard Drew & AP Photo/Cheryl Gerber & AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

Fats Domino, Rock ‘N’ Roll Pioneer Has Died At Age 89

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Bangers: Pro Ballerina Misty Copeland Talks Discrimination Against Black Dancers Without “The Right Body Type” For Vogue Italia [Photos]

Posted on October 9, 2013 by Benny Hollywood

Should ballet companies be subject scrutiny because their traditions seem racist? Misty Copeland Talks To Vogue Italia Magazine Extraordinarily talented professional ballerina Misty Copeland is continuing carrying on the torch as one of the only black women in her profession today and she’s doing it with effortless class, style and grace. Vogue Italia recently caught up with Misty and got her to open up about how she got her start, discrimination against young black girls aspiring to be ballerinas and more. Check out a few interview excerpts below: via Vogue Italia During your training, did anyone ever explain to you how rare it was for a black ballerina to gain entrance into any of the major ballet companies? I think that in a lot of ways, I’m happy that my race was not something that was discussed (during my training). It wasn’t an issue that was presented to me at that time. Of course, I was aware that I was black. My mother was very clear about telling all of my siblings who we were. Even though I was of mixed raced, my mother was clear about it…telling me I was black, and that I was going to be seen as black. So that is just how I knew of myself. But it wasn’t something that I thought about when I started dancing. I didn’t see myself any different than all the other girls. And I think that helped me in the beginning. At what point did you realize how few black ballerinas there were in the world of classical ballet? By the time I got to ABT, I was not at all prepared to deal with what I walked into. I just had no history of the ballet and black women in it. I had no idea that I was going to walk into ABT and be the only black woman there, and for the next eleven years still be the only black woman there. And so I just wasn’t prepared. I think over time, maturing and growing, and understanding how the ballet culture and the history of it works, it’s become easier on a daily basis. But it is hard.   Just hearing things every so often, like the fact that I don’t exactly look like a “white swan.” It was very difficult. Historically, the argument has been made that black women don’t have the right body type for ballet. Is this a valid assessment, or an excuse to justify the exclusion? It’s a hard thing to separate and try to figure out. Is it about them being black? Or is it really about the body type only? Because I’ve see dancers that are not black that get accepted into major companies, that do not have ideal bodies. I think it is something that is kind of used as an excuse.There are so many excuses that are used. Too muscular. Too athletic. Just not the right proportion. But I think that the ideal physique and look of a ballerina is always changing with different eras. And it’s continuing to change. And I think more dancers are just more healthy and athletic in general, because of the way that choreography and the different kind of dancing is making its way into ballet. So your muscles are going to change and develop. I don’t think they can, or will be able to use that excuse for much longer. We’re definitely team Misty over this way! In case you’re not too familiar with the bangin’ Ms. Copeland, hit the flip to check out a few flawless flicks of magnificence that is Misty. Continue reading →

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Rolling Stone Cover Controversy: Magazine Issues Statement, Defends "Thoughtful" Coverage

Posted on July 17, 2013 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

With controversy swirling over the latest Rolling Stone cover – it features Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and teases how he “became a monster” – the magazine has come out with an online statement. As an editor’s note to the Web version of the story, Rolling Stone writes: “Our hearts go out to the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing, and our thoughts are always with them and their families. The cover story we are publishing this week falls within the traditions of journalism and Rolling Stone’s long-standing commitment to serious and thoughtful coverage of the most important political and cultural issues of our day. ” It continues: “The fact that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is young, and in the same age group as many of our readers, makes it all the more important for us to examine the complexities of this issue and gain a more complete understanding of how a tragedy like this happens.” Along with stinging criticism from those who feel the cover story is inappropriate, CVS has announced a boycott of the issue. The chain says it will not sell the August edition of Rolling Stone “out of respect for the victims of the attack and their loved ones.” Where do you stand? What do you think of the magazine putting Dzhokhar Tsarnaev on its cover?   Why not? He’s topical and interesting … What a disgrace. View Poll »

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Rolling Stone Cover Controversy: Magazine Issues Statement, Defends "Thoughtful" Coverage

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Barry-O Admits To Bustin’ His Gun On The Regular: “I Go Shooting All The Time”

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

President Obama Talks About His Love Of Skeet Shooting Via DailyMail Obama has attempted to pacify jittery gun-owners by talking about his love of clay pigeon shooting. The President’s words will be seen as an attempt to reassure conservative voters who are angry about his plans to ban assault weapons as part of a drastic overhaul of gun laws. In a soon-to-be published interview with The New Republic, President Obama is asked whether he has ever fired a gun. He said: ‘Yes, in fact, up at Camp David, we do skeet shooting all the time.’ He added: ‘Not the girls, but oftentimes guests of mine go up there. And I have a profound respect for the traditions of hunting that trace back in this country for generations. ‘And I think those who dismiss that out of hand make a big mistake.’ The POTUS explains why his use of firearms and why he feels that the gun control issue has 2 valid sides. ‘Part of being able to move this forward,’ President Obama says, ‘is understanding the reality of guns in urban areas are very different from the realities of guns in rural areas.’… ‘If you grew up and your dad gave you a hunting rifle when you were ten,’ the president said, ‘and that became part of your family’s traditions, you can see why you’d be pretty protective of that.’ Obama referred to the gap between urban and rural views on gun ownership as ‘part of the biggest task over the next several months’ in his fight for public support of his assault weapons ban. ‘And that’ he says, ‘means that advocates of gun control have to do a little more listening than they do sometimes.’ Does Barry’s love of blam-blammin’ his cannon at clay pigeons make him a hypocrite in regards to wanting to enforce tougher gun laws? Image via OpinionMaker

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Barry-O Admits To Bustin’ His Gun On The Regular: “I Go Shooting All The Time”

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From Shirley Bassey To Dr. No, The 007 DNA Of Adele’s Skyfall Theme

Posted on October 5, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

With her soulful contralto, Adele was born to sing a Bond theme song. She delivers with “Skyfall,” produced by regular collaborator Paul Epworth, and released yesterday on James Bond’s 50th birthday . That should be a relief to music lovers and Bond fans alike, but just how much musical DNA does Adele’s “Skyfall” share in common with the best Bond themes to date? At some point in the mid ’70s, Bond theme songs lost their way. I blame Carly Simon. “Nobody Does it Better,” which she sang for 1977’s The Spy Who Loved Me , is a perfectly good pop ballad — it was Simon’s greatest hit, after all — but it was not a Bond song. It broke all the traditions: its title was different from the movie’s, it was in a major key, and it made no musical allusions to the composer behind the unmistakable 007 sound, John Barry. As if in apology, producers brought back Goldfinger and Diamonds are Forever songstress Shirley Bassey for the next movie, Moonraker , but the rekindling was all too brief. After that, there was a string of songs that sounded like ’80s sitcom theme songs. Seriously, listen to Sheena Easton’s “For Your Eyes Only” and imagine it playing over Three’s Company –style opening credits, with scenes of Bond walking into MI6’s office and throwing his hat onto the coat rack while Ms. Moneypenny rolls her eyes and smiles. Same with “ Octopussy .” Just think of what “Thunderball”’s Tom Jones could have done with that title. MGM and Albert Broccoli seemed to come to their senses after realizing what a mistake they’d made entrusting the theme song for The Living Daylights to A-Ha. They took a step in the right direction with the next one, Gladys Knight’s “License to Kill,” which opens with a direct quote of the opening motif from “Goldfinger.” In 1996, with “Goldeneye,” Tina Turner did with the music what Pierce Brosnan did with the character and helped rescue the entire franchise. Since then, the only real crime against 007 tradition was Madonna’s disjointed dance number for Die Another Day . Adele’s “Skyfall” is the most classic Bond theme since the classic Bond themes. The song may not be as infectiously hummable as some of Adele’s other hits, like “Rolling in the Deep,” but it fits perfectly within the James Bond tradition. Breaking the song down to its constitution elements, we can see how it compares to its predecessors: Voice You can’t listen to this song and not immediately think of Shirley Bassey, though Adele throws in a little more melisma. C-minor key More than three quarters of James Bond songs are in a minor key. The only other one in C-minor, however, was Garbage’s “The World is Not Enough. ” Dr. No references Peppered throughout the song are echoes of the original instrumental theme John Barry wrote for Dr. No , including the unmistakable four-note riff here played by the electric guitar 1 minute 50 seconds in, and the distinctive, sixties-sounding final chord (a minor ninth, if you’re curious), which is the same chord that concludes the Dr. No theme. Instrumentation Like Carly Simon’s “Nobody Does it Better,” the song begins simply, with vocals over piano. But then the strings, electric guitar, and John Barry–esque horn blasts kick in, bringing to mind the Sean Connery–era Bond themes. Thankfully, “Skyfall” did away with the tambourine. Melody The rising fifth in the hook (“… let the sky fall”) is reminiscent of “Goldfinger,” “Diamonds Are Forever,” and “The World is Not Enough,” which all have same interval in the main melody. Also like “The World is Not Enough” and Sheryl Crowe’s “Tomorrow Never Dies,” the verse ends on a suspended fourth chord. Tempo: ca. 78 bpm Practically the same as “License to Kill.” Lyrics This song does a better job of integrating the title into the lyrics than many of its predecessors, although Adele has to break the nonsensical title into two words. Carly Simon simply plopped the words “The spy who loved me” into an otherwise boilerplate love song, and Chris Cornell didn’t even bother including “Casino Royale” into his theme song , “You Know My Name.” Adele’s repetition of the title at the end of the song makes me think of what Tom Jones did with “Thunderball” and Tina Turner did with “Goldeneye.” Anything else? How much deeper can we go in overanalyzing this? Let me know in the comments. Julian Sancton is a writer based in Manhattan. He has contributed to Vanity Fair, Esquire and Playboy, among other publications. Follow Julian Sancton on Twitter . Follow Movieline on Twitter .

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From Shirley Bassey To Dr. No, The 007 DNA Of Adele’s Skyfall Theme

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Ne-Yo Responds To Regretting Giving Beyonce’ “Irreplaceable”

Posted on March 13, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

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R&B singer/songwriter, Ne-Yo, recently visited Choice FM Radio where he mentioned that he regretted giving the chart topping song, “Irreplaceable” to Beyonce. He stated: “One song that I gave away and didn’t want to is Beyonce’s ‘Irreplaceable’. I honestly wrote that song for myself. But that song actually taught me a very interesting lesson – men and women don’t actually think that much differently in the grand scheme of things. However, a man singing it comes across a little bit misogynistic, a little bit mean.” Ouch. After the news aired that Ne-Yo said this about the song, he took to his Twitter page to clear it up before he things got ugly. He tweeted on Thursday: @NeYoCompound: Ok. What’s this I hear about me wishing I never gave Beyonce’ Irreplaceable? Y’all ACTUALLY believe I said that? SERIOUSLY? Wow. Aiight. @NeYoCompound: Believing everything you read is just as bad as letting somebody run you. Stop letting these media haters and bloggers control y’all. @NeYoCompound: You wanna know ’bout me? ASK ME. You wanna know if I said somethin’ ASK ME. C’mon y’all. I KNOW you’re smarter than that. Much love. And continued to Tweet… @NeYoCompound: All good. Beyonce’ is a friend of mine. I’m sure she knows I’d never dis her in regard to Irreplaceable or at all for that matter. @NeYoCompound: Wonderful to know her fans have her back the way they do tho. Say what you will about me, I’ll sleep comfortably tonight regardless… @NeYoCompound: ….But do not allow the ignorance of some let you question my gratitude to those who’ve helped me along the way. Way to clear that one up Ne-Yo! Read the full story over at necolebitchie.com. Is Ne-Yo’s Baby Mama Monyetta Shaw Pregnant Again? Ne-Yo Is Not Feeling “Singers” Who Rely On Autotune Kandi And Ne-Yo’s “Me & U” [NEW MUSIC]

Ne-Yo Responds To Regretting Giving Beyonce’ “Irreplaceable”

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Top 10 Prince Songs

Posted on March 13, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

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It’s hard to argue that Prince is one of the most talented and versatile musicians to ever set foot in a recording studio.  Since 1978, he’s released over 30 albums, had dozens of hit singles, a few movies, and sold out concert venues from his hometown of Minneapolis to Japan. With a catalog as vast as his, picking his ten best songs is no easy task.  We’re still not sure that this list is complete.  We’ve left off quite a few songs. There’s no “I Wanna Be Your Lover” on the list. “Uptown?” That didn’t make it either. “Let’s Go Crazy?” Not this time. Samples of History: Inheriting Prince’s Funk 10. When You Were Mine Prince’s third album, 1980′s Dirty Mind , was what most people would call a “departure” record. Gone were the disco influences that shaped songs like “I Wanna Be Your Lover” and “Soft & Wet.” In their place were shades of the punk rock and new wave scenes that were beginning to take hold of America at the time.  “When You Were Mine” manages to combine the new wave influence with an admitted Beatles-esque sensibility that provides the soundtrack to Prince’s obsession with an ex. 9. Pop Life In 1985, Prince followed up the massive success of the Purple Rain album and film with Around The World In A Day , a psychedelic pop record that only someone as weird as Prince could make.  Despite its many nods to psychedelia, one of ATWIAD’s best songs was “Pop Life,” a song that addresses social issues like the dangers of drugs. 8. Adore Influenced by R&B ballads by singers like Anita Baker and Luther Vandross, one of Prince’s biggest songs that never became a single was “Adore,” the final song on Prince’s sprawling 1987 double album, Sign O’ The  Times .  Prince toes the line between the sacred and profane with the song’s churchy instrumentation, and erotic lyrics.  The song also is home to the classic lyric “You could burn up my clothes / Smash up my ride / Well maybe not the ride…” 7. Purple Rain We all know this song, which probably owes more to the traditions of country music than to R&B.  The nearly nine-minute album version is a revelation with Prince’s extended guitar solo. There’s a reason why Prince performs this song at nearly every concert he does. 6. Kiss Originally intended for a group called Mazarati that Prince signed to his Paisley Park Records label, “Kiss” started off as a simple 90 second demo.  Prince gave the demo to his engineer, David “Z” Rivkind who managed to take Prince’s extremely rough sketch of a song, and turn it into one of the funkiest songs His Royal Badness ever touched.  Mazarati recorded a version of the song, which Prince is rumored to have taken to a popular outdoor basketball court in Minneapolis to get feedback.  The feedback was so positive that Prince decided to keep the song for himself.  Mazarati weren’t left completely in the dirt though.  Their background vocals remain on the track. 5. If I Was Your Girlfriend “If I Was Your Girlfriend” was released as the second single from Prince’s 1987 album, Sign O’ The  Times . Despite a warm reception from black radio at the time, the song stalled on the pop charts, mainly by those who were confused by the song’s premise.  Using a sped up vocal to simulate a woman’s voice, Prince is actually singing to his then-girlfriend, Susannah Melvoin about how he wishes that he had a closer relationship with her, like that of one of her girlfriends.   Of course, things get kinda freaky as the song goes along, but this is Prince we’re talking about. 4. Joy In Repetition A relatively obscure track to casual fans, “Joy In Repetition” appears on the soundtrack to Prince’s 1990 film disaster Graffiti Bridge .  The song’s narrative vividly details Prince walking into a club where “four-letter words are seldom heard with such dignity and bite.”  Inside the club he sees a woman on stage singing the same two words over and over again as he falls in love with her, dragging her from the stage and running out of the club arm in arm.  Prince rarely goes into narrative mode to the extent that he does in this song.  Plus, he straight up murders the guitar solo. 3. The Ballad Of Dorothy Parker “The Ballad Of Dorothy Parker” is another one of those rare narratives in Prince’s discography.  A deceptively simple song, the song features little more instrumentation than a drum machine, keyboard, guitar and bass.  In the song, Prince tells the tale of meeting a waitress, the titular Dorothy Parker, who starts flirting with him.  He leaves the restaurant with her even though he admits that he’s seeing someone.  But as the song ends, he reveals that Dorothy “didn’t see the movie cuz she hadn’t read the book first.” 2. Little Red Corvette With those opening synth chords, and the opening lyric, “I guess I shoulda known by the way you parked your car sideways that it wouldn’t last,” Prince hit critical and commercial pay dirt. Prince works the fast woman as fast car metaphor for all its worth on this song, which was reportedly written in between cat naps while riding in the car of one of his band members. “Little Red Corvette” has the distinction of being one of the first videos by a black artist played on MTV. 1. When Doves Cry The last song written for Purple Rain , “When Doves Cry” is a pop music masterpiece. The opening guitar riff grabs your attention and doesn’t let go until the sparsely arranged song comes to an end.  “When Doves Cry” helped propel Purple Rain , the film and album, to classic status. RELATED: Prince Sued For $3 Million Over Canceled Ireland Concert RELATED: Can A Man Go To A Prince Concert By Himself? [VIDEO]

Top 10 Prince Songs

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Gather ‘Round Ye Gawker Yule Log [Video]

Posted on December 24, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

We’ve got some punch to drink and cookies to eat, so we’re signing off now—though we’ll be back tomorrow! Until then, we invite you to gather ’round our very own Yule Log and bask in its warm glow. More

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Topeka Kansas: April Fools Pranks Online: Google April Fool: Google Topeka

Posted on April 1, 2010 by Benny Hollywood

Topeka Kansas: April Fools Pranks Online: Google April Fool: Google Topeka – Well I guess some of you now are much aware of whats happening and the latest buzz about the Topeka in Google search engine. And yes, indeed that the biggest search engine in the world change its name into Topeka, thus making most of the online users now confused of whats happening around the internet surface now. And still in connection with the April Fools Day, it seems that Google participated so much with this traditions and celebration that is why they have made their own “Google April Fool” or should I say “April Fools Pranks Online” made by Google. And for everyone’s information, Google said the move was inspired by a Kansas town which in March changed its name to that of the Internet giant as part of a US bidding process to be the test hub for the company’s experimental super-fast broadband network. Apparently, through its official announcement, Bill Bunten, Topeka Mayor announced that during one month, starting March 1 until March 31, the city will be called Google . Google full, Kansas – the capital city of fiber optics. So this is the big questions now, are you willing to celebrate the April Fools day with Google for this day? Well I must admit that I have learned an additional word today which might be included from now on in my historic list of vocabulary words in my brain. Have a nice day! Topeka Kansas: April Fools Pranks Online: Google April Fool: Google Topeka is a post from: Daily World Buzz Continue reading →

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