Flashing lights, lights
Flashing lights, lights
Flashing lights, lights
Flashing lights, lights

[Kanye West]
She don't believe in shootin' stars,
but she believe in shoes & cars
Wood floors in the new apartment,
couture from the store's department
You more like L'eau de Stardee shit,
I'm more of the, trips to Florida
Order the h'orderves, views of the Water
Straight from the page of your favorite author
And the weather so breezy,
man why can't life always be this easy
She in the mirror dancing so sleazy,
I get a call like where are you Yeezy
Try to hit you with a 'Oeur de Whopee'
Till I get flashed by the paparazzi
Damn, these nigga's got me,
I hate these nigga's more than the Nazis

[Dwele]
As I recall, I know you love to show off
But I never thought that you would take it this far
What do I know? Flashing lights, lights
What do I know? Flashing lights, lights

[Kanye West]
I know it's been a while,
Sweetheart, we hard-ly talk, I was doing my thing
I know I was foul bay-bay,
a-bay late-ly you been all on my brain,
And if somebody would've told me a month ago
Fronting though, yo I wouldn't wanna know
If somebody would've told me a year ago
it'd go, get this difficult
Feeling like Katrina with no fema
Like Martin with no Gina
Like a flight with no visa
First class with the seat back I still see ya
In my past, you on the other side of the glass
Of my memory's museum,
I'm just saying, Hey Mona Lisa,
come home you know you can't Rome without Caesar

[Dwele]
As I recall, I know you love to show off
But I never thought that you would take it this far
What do I know? Flashing lights, lights
What do I know? Flashing lights, lights

As you recall, you know I love to show off
But you never thought that I would take it this far
What do you know? Flashing lights, lights
What do you know? Flashing lights, lights

Flashing lights, lights
Flashing lights, lights

[Fade out]
Lights, lights, lights, lights...

“College Dropout” is one of my top five favorite hip-hop albums of all time. The music inspired me at poignant time in my life. He showed me that talent had nothing to do with forging a hood persona through lyrics dripping the blood of dead hustlers. He rapped about his shitty mall job, getting fucked up in a car accident, and Jesus—but it was cold. With that in mind I can agree with some people that this album wasn’t as good as College Dropout. I doubt anything he ever does will top that. Simply because an album is more than the music—it’s the timing. On the same token in effort to separate the present from the past I make this statement. Graduation is a true evolution in his sound.

“Good Morning” is an intro that has that reminiscent sound of old school hip-hop and has that ‘College Dropout’ feel. “Champion” is one of my top four along with “I Wonder”, “Everything I Am” & “Homecoming” [my absolute favorite track]. I claim these songs because I listened to them twice on my first run through of the album. The tracks are well crafted, the lyrics are creative, and the messages relate to me at this point in my life.

One track I could do without is “Drunk & Hot Girls”. Not a fan. I listened to it once—that’s all I could take.

“Good Life” was a surprise. Ye and T. Pain paired well. The video is definitely a candidate for one of Kanye’s best. I just caught it on Sucker Free via MTV. It’s more a driving track, it makes your head bob and it’s pretty smooth how he mentions 50. It’s a stand out for me. “Stronger” is still spinning when I need that motivation, “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” is my anthem until I get my money right. “Barry Bonds” is a stunner that showcases a series of lucid rhymes (from Ye and Weezy)—it’s a raw song, mostly drums and beat.

“Flashing Lights” is the best song on this album in terms of production. Listen to it. It far reaches anything on this album. It sounds pompous and stylish.

“Big Brother” is just a damn good song. He’s candid remembrance of his relationship with Jay-Z flows well. He keeps it real, mentioning his envy, their issues, his fuck ups, & their best moments. I can appreciate how Kanye always includes his love for his family in his albums (“Family Business” & “Hey Mama”).

Somehow I obtained the track “Bittersweet” featuring John Mayer & “Can’t Tell Me Nothing Remix”…*avoids eye contact*. I’m not a huge Jeezy fan, but I must admit he murdered his verses. I like “Bittersweet” because I’ve been wanting to hear it for like 2 years—plus John Mayer is cool.


I see Graduation as a culmination record—considering I’m graduating in the spring. I’m not sure if this collegiate motif will continue—I doubt it (then again). As a listener of hip-hop I think this an valiant effort. I give two thumbs up.

Buy it. Listen to it. Live it. Love it.
…*sings* “do you think about me now and then, cause I’m coming home again”

sidenote: he seriously got robbed at the vma's

Two words: MaRk RoNsOn!
One Album: Version

“Mark Ronson has assembled a dream team of mega talented artist to create a smooth contemporary blend of sixties soul and contemporary urban funk.”

“…a sizzling masterpiece…”

“Version is chocked of blazing sounds that sizzle the soul and sends your senses into overload”

“His sultry cover of Britney Spears' Toxic clearly indicates this DJ's ear for innovation…”

“Who is this guy?”

“I just put it on and let it play on repeat.”

“It’s a dazzling cornucopia of sexy songs—the album is rather addictive”

“Gotdamn! This is good.”

[all are comments by me]

Smoking Gun: Bullets on STYLE
• MTV Correspondent John Norris is approximately 107 years old.
• Lil’ Mama arrived clad in cabbage patch, purple bubble coat with tea-cup bottom—apparently she called it the birth of hip-hop (w/ a pacifier to top it off)
• Alicia Keys stepped fresh off the set of the new Matrix movie.
• Nelly Furtado was a stunning blond coke whore.
• Rihanna super sexy in tight fighting pink number.
• Eve had a bad weave I think but her dress was hot.
• Mary J. was purely hood chic.
• Nicole Scherzinger smoking hot, really great performer (she actually sang and dance)
• Lil Wayne had a nice on liner “can’t pronounce her last name so it should be mine.”
• Common is completely uncommon and looked like Hollywood royalty.
• Shia Lebeouf was stylish and debonair.
• Gym Class Heroes looked the same they stayed true their style
• Jennifer Hudson dress was very flattering but she should’ve gave Kelly Rowland her wig back.
• Ludacris looked like an original gangsta, very trendy suit and his haircut was snazzy.
• Paris Hilton looked like her mom.
• Kanye had the Tux look—it was simple—I guess it worked.
• Neyo looked like the hamburglar/pirate.
• Ceelo wore a tablecloth.
• Beyonce was Helen of Troy with a snatchback [Tacky Tina has struck again]


Smoking Gun: Bullets on THE SHOW
• Britney Spears was an absolute disappointment. I’m not sure what was going on but I could tell she wasn’t feeling it. She didn’t seem to care. She was the worst part of her own performance. I will say her dancers, the pole dancers, lights, and set design were all incredible and this could have been a smash, sadly it wasn’t.
• Sarah Silverman is simply a bitch.
• The rest of the show was a sloppy mess.
• Poor transitions and over too much chaos.
• Chris Brown’s performance was a smash (even though him not attempting to sing was troubling). He did well the only thing I didn’t like was his little MJ bit—I think this obsession with Michael Jackson is over-rated and I’ve seen too many people do that Billie Jean routine.

Over the course of the past 4+ years I've noticed at massive decline in quality of the Video Music Awards. As a spawn of the MTV era I feel extremely disappointed with the lack of planning, ragged transitions, and an overall feeling that every presenter and performer is drunk off their ass.

get it together, or pay the piper.

also, my run-through of last nights events is still to come.
there is so much that needs to be said.

Today I will receive an advanced copy of the KanYe album.
[shout out to my music supplier]
I will post the review ASAP.

(Relax! I'm still going out to support him on Tuesday)

Maroon 5 is the shit—just to put it simply. Their newest album “It Won’t be Long Before Soon” is a well needed departure from the typical rock & roll sound you may be accustomed to. Say farewell to stale regurgitated sound of other contemporary bands and & accept a warm greeting from the funkiest members of the rock and roll royal family.

I first discovered this band through the video for their smash single “This Love” from the album “Songs about Jane”. Crooning his heart and soul, Adam Levine (no relation to Avril) is a perfect front man for this colorful cohort of fluent musicians. Their highly anticipated new release has me back on track with my favorite five rock stars. The video for “Makes Me Wonder” is trendy, hip, and sexy while the spot for the new single “Wake Up Call” is gritty, rough, and tantalizing. Enough lip service—on to the review.
I predicted that this album would be a slight different variation on their signature sound and for the most part I was correct. I mean if ain’t broke don’t fix it. “It Won’t Be Long Before soon is filled with longing lyrics, poignant rifts, and of course this album is saturated with sex. The sexiest song is “Kiwi” *hands down*.
“Sweet kiwi, your juice is dripping down my chin…Don’t stop it before it begins.” Not only is it well crafted but the guitar solo featured on this track is phenomenal. Adam has effect has an effect on people, by that I mean it’s relatable and often evokes internalized emotions. The saddest song is “Better That We Break” is haunting and has a tendency to moisten the eyeballs. It’s one of my top three tracks—I’m kind of emo some of the time.

“Goodnight, Goodnight” is a track that I immediately liked upon first listen. It has a loving tone and a theatrical appeal that sits well with me. If any of you are familiar with Kanye West’s sophomore album “Late Registration” you may recognize the song “Nothing Last Forever” Adam sang some of the chorus on Kanye’s “Heard Em Say”—this track is smooth and ballad-like.

Overall this album resonates loud and clear with the eclectic mix of Maroon 5 fans, well I can only speak for myself. I think it’s pretty damn good. My favorite track is the first one “If I Never See Your Face Again”.

If you don't have it get, and when you get it spin it.

peace.

I won't lie.
I kinda like this song.
Did some digging.
Some new producers spearheaded a lot of this project, there might even be some JT on there.
I conceptualized this superdiduper video for it.
It's a hot track.

it's britney bitch.

I'm a flip-flopper.
I like hood music only while driving @ night through the city or somewhere with crowds.
It's not to boost the swag--seeing as how I'm currently car-less, I thinks its a cultural thing.
Last night I listened to Lil Boosie.....nuff' said.....*avoids eye contact*
I didn't absolutely hate it, the beats were mediocre, the raps were weak but it fit the occasion.
The songs were bass heavy with simple crunk hooks.
I won't ever sit down long enough to listen to that entire album & write a review but I might get a copy of it burned so I can have something to stunt to if I rent/borrow a car in the coming weeks.

(*this entry doesn't endorse or support the idea that the current state of hip-hop is stable...our foundation is still cracking**& I don't support Lil Boosie**)

"At first when I see you cry, it makes smile, yea it makes me smile" OUCH! sounds pretty harsh, right? Well this lyric turned me on to pond-crossing sour patch kid, Lily Allen, her sound was refreshing and me message was edgy. She's the casual yet glamorous mean girl next door.

A review of Common's "Finding Forever", Lily Allen's current album "Alright, Still", Maroon 5's sophomore release "Won't Be Long Before Soon", & predictions about the forthcoming albums from Kanye West, Alicia Keys, & others.

I'm going to honestly admit to myself and to all of you that I am not a patient man. In this new age of high speed internet, instant messaging, 30 minute meals, SMS text, and red eye jets, I figure time is valuable and I don't like to feel like my time is being wasted. Last night while sitting in the dimly lit Apache cafe, I went through a full spectrum of intense emotions. My anticipation for this performance had sustained me for most of the week. We found some seating, I observed the diverse crowd of hipster, trendy off brand-tall-white-mocha-latte-20 somethings intermingling with a cavalier attitude about the evening, just there to be there and to soak in the soul.

I suffered (harsh word huh) through a total (approx.) seven opening acts...I remember the first and the last, everything in between seemed to be a boggling blur of loud obnoxious sounds and cacophonous clamor that made me feel like an old fart, because I honestly wanted to ask them to turn the music down. The first opening act was a tapper.....he was cool. I like tap, he kilt I will say that....The Jaspects I'll admit were good...but since they were one of the last few before Janelle came out....I wasn't feeling like "throwing up my J's".....I wanted to throw my drink on stage (if I could afford one)....I was dead tired of jazz and it seemed like they played an entire anthology. I wanted Janelle, no substitutions. We got there @ 8, got inside the place @ 9:30 Janelle came out at 1:37 am....I was beyond pissed.

But then....in an instant all of that changed, the fog machines pulsed cool blasts of smoke, the room fell silent as her intro blared. No one knew where to look, some were looking in the back of the cafe, while others focused on the stage dead set on the idea that she would just appear out of thin air...A stage hand/ princess carried a box on stage and out pops Janelle, a petite powerhouse...the drum kicked and she burst into "Violet Stars Happy Hunting". The thumping beat, & her "signature dance moves" brought the crowd to their feet. She was jazzy, energetic, and provocative. My rage disappeared by the first utterance of the phrase "I'm a cyber girl without a face, a heart or a mind". She sang with the grace, eloquence, & precision of Lena Horne and Anita Baker, and her sound was beyond outstanding. "Smile" was the song that brought me into her light. She's incredibly humble, thankful, and energetic. Her androgynous look wasn't too flashy, it was authentic and fit her persona. I'm in aw! I Love HER!

I'm hooked, like a trout.

I'm connoisseur of music, I'm in love with the live performance, and I'm on a constant quest for hot new artist, or golden oldies. Thus the inception of this blog.

Chaseology is a venture to which I , CHASE , will scour the city of Atlanta, the internet, local cafes, and music stores, wherever.

The goal is two fold, I want to implore others to explore the nether regions of the radio and television and seek the sound of those who aren't connected to the corporate mechanism & I want to have a venue to express my thoughts, opinions, and display my own work to the world.

this is day one.

the first official entry will be about the wonderfully splendid Ms. Janelle Monae...

give a minute.