Legend Lost

*This was originally written a few days after Michael's death on June 25, 2009*

It seems surreal typing this right now. Even after all the CNN, BET, MTV and Vh-1 coverage, I still can't grasp the fact that Michael Jackson is gone. We all have our stories of what Mike meant to us and what song made us want to throw our cares away and just dance the night away. I can remember growing up in Baltimore and wanting to watch Friday night videos to see the new talked about video from Michael of course known as 'Thriller.' As a 6-year-old in 1982, I was scared out of mind of that video but it was intoxicating to me even at a young age. I begged my mom to let to stay up to watch it and although I closed my eyes a few times I was hooked. Michael became my favorite artist of all times from that day forth.

I like any other kid and or teenager wanted to move like Mike. I wanted to have the precise moves and feet of magic. In our lifetime we rarely have a chance if ever to encounter greatness. I can honestly say I (we) all have encountered greatness from a special child from Gary, Indiana who grew to become the 'King Of Pop.' His music is timeless and fresh and will last for centuries to come.

Growing up I was that class-clown and some may argue I am still but I digress. :) But one of my favorite things to do and still till today is to dance like Michael Jackson. I had the moves down to a 'T'. There wasn't a time when I wouldn't bust out in a Mike dance routine as a kid when 'Beat It' came on the radio. Or in the hallways and talents shows at school. Most took it for laughs because of my long branchy body flying all over the place but to me I was Michael. I even took that same feeling as I became a man. Still today I will get a circle around me to bust out some Mike when one of his many songs hit the airwaves.

I know many will try to focus on the odd and peculiar things that have happen in the latter years of his life. But I ask why? We all have our demons and flaws in our life but just because this man was bigger than life it was blown out of proportion and set for the world to see. I believe those who were so quickly to revel in his greatness and pat him on the back were also the first to casts stones at him and shun him when things went bad. Michael was a visionary and truly gifted artist. He will be missed and greatly admired for his work to heal the world! Folks may focus on his idiosyncrasies and odd behavior at times but that won't ever take away from the bright star he was and will always be. Again in our lifetime we are only given a chance to witness greatness and when we do we must cherish those moments. So much love goes out to Michael Jackson. Thank you for all the magic you created and may God protect you now in the gates of heaven.

Enjoy this play list that I put together of some of my favorite Michael Jackson songs!

Happy Birthday Prince!

Today is a day fit for a King err...I mean Prince! It's Prince's 56th birthday! All hail the Prince!

On this special day, I thought I'd show my appreciation to a man, who has been coined a musical genius, in this time.  The eclectic styles and transformations of Prince have been noted  as well as celebrated throughout his 56 years on this place called Earth. He has made music that our grand children's grand kids will be rocking to til the end of time! So join me in wishing the Purple One a happy birthday--"Let's Go Crazy" on "A Raspberry Beret" and stir up a little "Controversy", while the "Purple Rain" falls from the sky and we watch "Erotic City" come alive, I guess that's just the "Sign O' The Times" so said "Darling Nikki" who also shouted "Baby I'm A Star!!"


https://play.google.com/music/playlist/AMaBXyleLmM2hIpn3FI3Rn0z3Tx0wYYHY6R0CbLreufWDGmmSUtfrAWvW6x0BPdLLp19EOq-Rq9XPpr7x1sSCVqHeCQ6BY938w%3D%3D

Happy Birthday Mr. Prince Nelson Rogers!

Enjoy the special Prince mix I put together in honor of his b-day!

Kane Is Still Able

It has nearly been 25 years since Antonio Hardy had his debut on Cold Chillin' Records, dropping his notorious single "Raw" to the hip-hop masses. As a 12-year-old kid back in 1988 all I knew was Thundercats, G.I. Joe, my ever growing crush on Hillary Grimm and Big Daddy Kane! When I reflect on how music especially hip-hop has evolved and then regressed over the past 25 years, there is one consummate that holds true and that is Kane was a ill MC back then and can still hold his own today.

I was in the gym working out and was just tossing up those 20 pound dumbbells like nothing when I was listening to "Ain't No Half Steppin'" and was just floored on how Kane was so precise and clever with his wordplay. It is said that he was Jay before Jay-Z. Yes, Kane came before his time and didn't benefit monetarily like MC's  rappers do today, but I think today's rappers can benefit off of Kane today. Kane brought swag before swag was even thought about, he had an energy about him that illuminated from his records and he actually had something to say! It was about two years ago when I saw Kane in Brooklyn at Prospect Park and he killed it! Okay, he may have put on a few more pounds and aged a bit but watching him perform you couldn't tell. So the question is could Big Daddy Kane hold his own today as a current artist in today's digital world and sub-par rappers? I think we all know that answer and that is a 44-year-old Big Daddy Kane is 90% better than most of the cats out here now claiming to be rappers.

Go back in time with me and enjoy some classic Kane tracks let the King Asiatic Nobody's Equal school us all.  It is of course "A Big Daddy Thing!" 

Rainy Night Remedy

Hey world! How goes it on this Sunday evening? Well I'm posted up in my favorite spot right now which is Starbucks. I love to come here and write, people watch and listen to the music. Tonight is nothing different except for the rain that continues to fall. Which of course has led me to think about songs that focus on "rain."

The element of rain can be used in many ways in a song. My favorite of course is in a slow  jam to set the mood. So here is my play list of "Rain" themed songs. If you have a favorite that I didn't include let me know. Leave a comment. Enjoy your Sunday night and relish in the rain. Follow me on Twitter @stretch166

The Death of an Angel

Where were you Saturday February 11, 2012? This will be a day that the world lost one of the most influential voices in music--Whitney Houston! A bona fide pop icon and global superstar is what Whitney was and will forever be remembered for being. I can honestly say I never thought I would have to be writing about the untimely death of the voice of the 80's and 90's. She took the world by storm with her debut album "Whitney Houston" in 1985. That album produced seven consecutive No.1 Billboard singles such as "Saving All My Love", "You Give Good Love", "How Will I Know and "Greatest Love Of All". Her voice and beautiful looks were all a breath of fresh air for the then 19-year-old! She was what the world needed and we all embraced her. Whitney paved the way for all female-artists that have followed her. None of them can't say that they didn't admire and looked up to the "Diva" simply known as Ms. Houston! Despite all of Whitney's fame and admiration from fans around the world she still battled her demons. They always say that the ones who are super-talented always suffer from something within that ultimately eats them up. Whitney had her issues with drugs, alcohol and of course her tumultuous and unusual marriage to Bobby Brown. But throughout all of that we thought we would get "our" Whitney back. But instead all we got was the shell of that woman that became the best-selling female artist of times, the woman who starred in "The Bodyguard" and had everyone singing "I Will Always Love You".

It saddens us all when we see our heroes fall or struggle and we can't do anything but stand-by and watch. Throughout it all Whitney Houston blessed us with her love, music and beautiful spirit. We must now not reflect on the latter years of Whitney's life but embrace all of what she did that made her the best-selling female artists of all-time! There will never be another and no one should ever try to copy an original. My thoughts and prays go out her daughter and family. So DMV let us relish and reflect on all the joy and love Whitney brought to our lives. As a fan I mourn her passing with her music that will live on forever! Her voice is undeniable and can never be duplicated. Thank you, Whitney for your mark and impression you put in my life, may God hold you tight and release you of all your pain and fears that you carried all of these years.

Forgotten Gems!

Do you remember rocking your radio in the 80's and 90's to nothing but the hotness!? Remember wondering if Tracie Spencer really had "Tender Kisses" or if New Edition would "Count You Out". Well, let me take you down a musical memory lane of some of my favorite joints we just don't hear anymore. Enjoy!

New Music Tuesdays!!

Well look at what I stumbled upon!! Peep out this track from RaVaughn Brown called "Same Ol BS," she is the new signee to Ne-Yo's Compund U label on Columbia Records! This dude can write the hell out of a song and he doesn't disappoint on this one either. RaVaughn can definitely sing and this right here will be ladies anthem for the spring. Tell me what you think!



Bonus Track: "No Where"  I'm loving this song as well!

Follow on Twitter @itsRaVaughn