Walkin' That Aisle!

This weekend wrestling legend Ric Flair fought his last match and officially retired on Monday night. Emotional shit for sure. But, before I go any further let me say, if you didn't watch wrestling growing up, and you were a dude, man, I feel sorry for you. Actually, I take that back, I don't know what to say to you. If you wasn't watching wrestling as a kid, man, you must have been baking cakes and playing with My Little Pony. If you at least watched G.I. Joe and Transformers, you might still be cool, but its still a stretch.

Anyways, the Nature Boy Ric Flair is the all-time great, eff Hulk Hogan! Ric Flair was the most shit-talkingest wrestler ever. Coolest white boy ever. If you look up swag in the dictionary, it should have his face next to it, for real. He had quotes galore my personal favorite was "In order to be the man, you gotta beat the man!" and that shit rings true in every aspect of life.

He was probably the first bad guy that you still cheered for. I mean, he called himself "the dirtiest player in the game" and he lived it. That man cheated his ass off, but you still had to like him though. I think the only time I didn't really like Ric Flair was when he was beefing with Sting and later Bret Hart. Other than that, Ric was my dude.

But, as much as I liked Ric Flair and wrestling, I also kinda blame him for ruining it for me. When I was about 9 or 10, me and my family went on a CNN Center tour. Ted Turner owned WCW, the wresting league Ric was in at the time so, it was nothing to see him strolling through CNN Center, probably picking up a check. But, I fucked around and saw him and Lex Luger chilling and having lunch together. Mind you, these two was at the zenith of their beef. I just saw them beating the breaks off each other weeks prior. From that point on, I had to go ahead and believe what my mom always told me, wrestling is fake. I was still a hardcore wrestling fan up until I turned about 16. Because even though I knew it was fake, it still looked believable. But somewhere in the mid-90s that shit just got too outlandish. Nigga, I had 6 year old cousins calling that shit fake.

Through it all though, I'd still tune in just to hear Ric Flair talk shit and do that crazy ass thing where he'd let someone punch him and he'd flip over the ropes, stumble down the ring apron and fall on his back. Granted, I saw him do it a thousand times, it was always entertaining. I still like to see him do that chest slap and ye'll "WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO."

So, when he retired this weekend, it was sad to see, but I was also kinda happy to see him go, I mean, Ric was looking bad out there. He was getting old, and I was feeling old just looking at him. I have a younger cousin I watch from time to time and he's at that stage where all that matters is wrestling and video games. He was watching SmackDown on time and I saw Ric Flair and the Undertaker fighting. I was like DAAAAAAMN! They still wrestling? My cousin didn't want to believe me when I told him that Undertaker's name used to be Mean Mark and that Ric Flair used to have a head full of hair. He just shot me a look like "nigga, you old."

Anyways, since I did the same for Chris Webber, I had to do the same for the Nature Boy! Here are some of his finer moments. I did little something over on Black Ice @ XXLMag.com too.

Walkin' That Aisle!

This weekend wrestling legend Ric Flair fought his last match and officially retired on Monday night. Emotional shit for sure. But, before I go any further let me say, if you didn't watch wrestling growing up, and you were a dude, man, I feel sorry for you. Actually, I take that back, I don't know what to say to you. If you wasn't watching wrestling as a kid, man, you must have been baking cakes and playing with My Little Pony. If you at least watched G.I. Joe and Transformers, you might still be cool, but its still a stretch.

Anyways, the Nature Boy Ric Flair is the all-time great, eff Hulk Hogan! Ric Flair was the most shit-talkingest wrestler ever. Coolest white boy ever. If you look up swag in the dictionary, it should have his face next to it, for real. He had quotes galore my personal favorite was "In order to be the man, you gotta beat the man!" and that shit rings true in every aspect of life.

He was probably the first bad guy that you still cheered for. I mean, he called himself "the dirtiest player in the game" and he lived it. That man cheated his ass off, but you still had to like him though. I think the only time I didn't really like Ric Flair was when he was beefing with Sting and later Bret Hart. Other than that, Ric was my dude.

But, as much as I liked Ric Flair and wrestling, I also kinda blame him for ruining it for me. When I was about 9 or 10, me and my family went on a CNN Center tour. Ted Turner owned WCW, the wresting league Ric was in at the time so, it was nothing to see him strolling through CNN Center, probably picking up a check. But, I fucked around and saw him and Lex Luger chilling and having lunch together. Mind you, these two was at the zenith of their beef. I just saw them beating the breaks off each other weeks prior. From that point on, I had to go ahead and believe what my mom always told me, wrestling is fake. I was still a hardcore wrestling fan up until I turned about 16. Because even though I knew it was fake, it still looked believable. But somewhere in the mid-90s that shit just got too outlandish. Nigga, I had 6 year old cousins calling that shit fake.

Through it all though, I'd still tune in just to hear Ric Flair talk shit and do that crazy ass thing where he'd let someone punch him and he'd flip over the ropes, stumble down the ring apron and fall on his back. Granted, I saw him do it a thousand times, it was always entertaining. I still like to see him do that chest slap and ye'll "WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO."

So, when he retired this weekend, it was sad to see, but I was also kinda happy to see him go, I mean, Ric was looking bad out there. He was getting old, and I was feeling old just looking at him. I have a younger cousin I watch from time to time and he's at that stage where all that matters is wrestling and video games. He was watching SmackDown on time and I saw Ric Flair and the Undertaker fighting. I was like DAAAAAAMN! They still wrestling? My cousin didn't want to believe me when I told him that Undertaker's name used to be Mean Mark and that Ric Flair used to have a head full of hair. He just shot me a look like "nigga, you old."

Anyways, since I did the same for Chris Webber, I had to do the same for the Nature Boy! Here are some of his finer moments. I did little something over on Black Ice @ XXLMag.com too.

Pauly Shore: Not Racist, Just Not That Funny

Well, Pauly Shore had the internets buzzing when a youtube video of him dissing Black comics surfaced.



Well, he has a second one up hoping to clear up the situation with some of the angered comedians he mentioned.

{the video was disabled at one point today...big up to to Xplosive World for the re-up}


Your thoughts please.

[spotted at The Kaos Effect]

Pauly Shore: Not Racist, Just Not That Funny

Well, Pauly Shore had the internets buzzing when a youtube video of him dissing Black comics surfaced.



Well, he has a second one up hoping to clear up the situation with some of the angered comedians he mentioned.

{the video was disabled at one point today...big up to to Xplosive World for the re-up}


Your thoughts please.

[spotted at The Kaos Effect]

Can You Hear Me Now?

So, ever since the latest issue of VOGUE with LeBron and Gisele Bundchen hit stands, alot of people in the media (and the office and the bar) have been going back and forth as to how they feel about the cover image and its racial connotations. Anyone with two good eyes can look at it and see what's really going on. I'm not saying to raid the streets with molotov cocktails over this, but to have a "whats the big deal" attitude about it ain't acceptable either. But, for those of you who still don't get why this cover is deemed offensive to some, The Starting Five found a visual for you that should make the picture clearer.



Peep their on-point commentary HERE.

Can You Hear Me Now?

So, ever since the latest issue of VOGUE with LeBron and Gisele Bundchen hit stands, alot of people in the media (and the office and the bar) have been going back and forth as to how they feel about the cover image and its racial connotations. Anyone with two good eyes can look at it and see what's really going on. I'm not saying to raid the streets with molotov cocktails over this, but to have a "whats the big deal" attitude about it ain't acceptable either. But, for those of you who still don't get why this cover is deemed offensive to some, The Starting Five found a visual for you that should make the picture clearer.



Peep their on-point commentary HERE.

Brothas Gonna Work It Out

Congrats to Antron Brown. This past weekend he made history becoming the first (not first Black, but first period) driver in National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) history to win races in both the Pro Stock Motorcycle and Top Fuel divisions. Meaning dude has won races on both a motorcycle and in a hot rod.

As many speeding tickets black folks get, I always wondered why there aren't more of us interested in auto racing as a sport, let alone actually being involved in it. A couple of years ago I got the chance to actually sit in a NASCAR car with it going at top speed around Atlanta Motor Speeedway. GAAAAAHHHHHHAAAAAAAWWWWWWT DAAAAYUUUM! That shit was fun. Better than any roller coaster I've ever been on.

Anyways, here's a website on dude. Sounds like we're going to be hearing more of him in the future.

Brothas Gonna Work It Out

Congrats to Antron Brown. This past weekend he made history becoming the first (not first Black, but first period) driver in National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) history to win races in both the Pro Stock Motorcycle and Top Fuel divisions. Meaning dude has won races on both a motorcycle and in a hot rod.

As many speeding tickets black folks get, I always wondered why there aren't more of us interested in auto racing as a sport, let alone actually being involved in it. A couple of years ago I got the chance to actually sit in a NASCAR car with it going at top speed around Atlanta Motor Speeedway. GAAAAAHHHHHHAAAAAAAWWWWWWT DAAAAYUUUM! That shit was fun. Better than any roller coaster I've ever been on.

Anyways, here's a website on dude. Sounds like we're going to be hearing more of him in the future.

Tonight...

Going down to my Alma Mater to talk at a forum my younger brother put together. Should be interesting, alot of intelligent people involved. I'm curious to see who's actually gonna get a chance to talk. Any panel with Killer Mike on it is usually a one man show.

Tonight...

Going down to my Alma Mater to talk at a forum my younger brother put together. Should be interesting, alot of intelligent people involved. I'm curious to see who's actually gonna get a chance to talk. Any panel with Killer Mike on it is usually a one man show.

Cold Hearted

I know we were all raised not to lie, but sometimes, a lie is appropriate.



C'mon now, she could have at least just said yes out there and then told him no when they left...I could take that.

(Spotted at Q-Storm's blog)

Cold Hearted

I know we were all raised not to lie, but sometimes, a lie is appropriate.



C'mon now, she could have at least just said yes out there and then told him no when they left...I could take that.

(Spotted at Q-Storm's blog)

Courtroom Crunkness!

Aight so, I'm out riding today, running errands, handling business. I keep getting phone calls and text messages with folks asking "ay, you going down to the courthouse?" Of course, I respond with "for what?" And they all would respond as if I was silly with "T.I. nigga!"

Excuse me. I didn't know that the T.I. sentencing was the place to be. Please forgive me. Its not that I don't care about dude going to prison or not, because I actually do. But, I've never thought of the courthouse to be a popular place to hang. Every time I've been to one, the outcome was never good.

Since when was seeing a dude going to the big house the event of the day? I mean, I know I'm in "the media" so folks was probably assuming I'd be there for whatever reason, but really...thats some shit I'd just leave to Monica Kauffman and John Pruitt. I could see if there was some kind of fuckery going down where T.I. was being treated unfairly or being framed for something he didn't do. But shit, he got caught breaking the law. Yeah, its messed up that his bodyguard baited him into the sting, but it was T.I. that set the stage for it. Whats the use in going down there? To witness a piece of history? I think not.

Now, to all my folks that went down there today to work on assignment, aight cool. But man, I just found it pretty corny for folks to be talking about the courthouse hearing like it was a damn Braves game. Folks talking about "man, you missed it, everybody was here!" No the hell they weren't. Crazy, I actually had to drive by there today on my way somewhere. Mah fuggas was outside camped out and shit like they waiting for U2 tickets....fuggouttaheeere.

Related Posts:
The Kaing Ain't Dead
T.I. is the Lennox Lewis of Rap

UPDATE: T.I.'s Post Plea Press Conference


(swiped from Nah Right)

Courtroom Crunkness!

Aight so, I'm out riding today, running errands, handling business. I keep getting phone calls and text messages with folks asking "ay, you going down to the courthouse?" Of course, I respond with "for what?" And they all would respond as if I was silly with "T.I. nigga!"

Excuse me. I didn't know that the T.I. sentencing was the place to be. Please forgive me. Its not that I don't care about dude going to prison or not, because I actually do. But, I've never thought of the courthouse to be a popular place to hang. Every time I've been to one, the outcome was never good.

Since when was seeing a dude going to the big house the event of the day? I mean, I know I'm in "the media" so folks was probably assuming I'd be there for whatever reason, but really...thats some shit I'd just leave to Monica Kauffman and John Pruitt. I could see if there was some kind of fuckery going down where T.I. was being treated unfairly or being framed for something he didn't do. But shit, he got caught breaking the law. Yeah, its messed up that his bodyguard baited him into the sting, but it was T.I. that set the stage for it. Whats the use in going down there? To witness a piece of history? I think not.

Now, to all my folks that went down there today to work on assignment, aight cool. But man, I just found it pretty corny for folks to be talking about the courthouse hearing like it was a damn Braves game. Folks talking about "man, you missed it, everybody was here!" No the hell they weren't. Crazy, I actually had to drive by there today on my way somewhere. Mah fuggas was outside camped out and shit like they waiting for U2 tickets....fuggouttaheeere.

Related Posts:
The Kaing Ain't Dead
T.I. is the Lennox Lewis of Rap

UPDATE: T.I.'s Post Plea Press Conference


(swiped from Nah Right)

Still Here...

Since a few folks have been asking...yes, I still blog for XXL. Its been a while since my last post but, I'm still over there. I just didn't have anything to say really, well, I've had shit to say, but nothing I deemed necessary to sit down and write a blog about as it pertained to whats going on in Hip Hop right now. I mean, there's only so much I'm going to say about 50 Cent and Lil Wayne which seem to be the favorite topics around those parts. Plus, a couple of the other bloggers there (Noz!) beat to the punch on a couple things anyways.

But yeah...Black Ice @ XXL is still in operation and there will be some new posts in the coming days. I posted a brief yesterday about Eazy-E not being dead enough to warrant any attention yesterday, the 13th anniversary of this death.

Oh yeah, while you're at it, please pick up the book I borrowed the above image from. Black Ice is a book about the Colored Hockey League of the Marintimes, an all Black hockey league that was in Nova Scotia, Canada in the late 1800s and early 1900s, very interesting read. When it came out I tried to get Sports Illustrated and a few other mags to let me write about it...each and everyone of them called me back only to say "great pitch, great story, not interested." Go figure.

Still Here...

Since a few folks have been asking...yes, I still blog for XXL. Its been a while since my last post but, I'm still over there. I just didn't have anything to say really, well, I've had shit to say, but nothing I deemed necessary to sit down and write a blog about as it pertained to whats going on in Hip Hop right now. I mean, there's only so much I'm going to say about 50 Cent and Lil Wayne which seem to be the favorite topics around those parts. Plus, a couple of the other bloggers there (Noz!) beat to the punch on a couple things anyways.

But yeah...Black Ice @ XXL is still in operation and there will be some new posts in the coming days. I posted a brief yesterday about Eazy-E not being dead enough to warrant any attention yesterday, the 13th anniversary of this death.

Oh yeah, while you're at it, please pick up the book I borrowed the above image from. Black Ice is a book about the Colored Hockey League of the Marintimes, an all Black hockey league that was in Nova Scotia, Canada in the late 1800s and early 1900s, very interesting read. When it came out I tried to get Sports Illustrated and a few other mags to let me write about it...each and everyone of them called me back only to say "great pitch, great story, not interested." Go figure.

Happy Trails Chris Webber

Today one of my favorite players growing up retired (finally), Chris Webber. I can't think of any pre-teen basketball fan that didn't ride for the Fab Five in the early 90's. Really, I can't think of any young, urban basketball fans period for that matter. If you didn't ride for the Fab Five, your coolness immediately went into question. In fact, I think the first ever article of clothing I actually bought with my own little money was a University of Michigan hat when I was on a field trip in D.C. I bought it during tourney time, one week before the infamous "time out" call.

Anyways, Webber got drafted with the #1 pick in the 1993 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic, one year after they just picked Shaquille O'Neal. They wound up trading Webber to the Golden State Warriors for their #3 pick, Penny Hardaway. I mean, Shaq & Penny did their thing, but man, I dunnno shawty. I think I woulda kept C-Webb. Can you imagine that? Shaq & C-Webb on the same team?

Well, C-Webb faired pretty well out in Oakland taking home Rookie of the Year honors and teaming up with Latrell Spreewell and Billy Owens (Tim Hardaway was injured and out for the season and Chris Mullins body started breaking down) to become one of the more exciting teams in the league. They got put out in the first round of the playoffs by Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns, but everyone was already looking forward to seeing them next year. Unfortunately, Webber and coach Don Nelson had a falling out and he got traded to the Washington Bullets.

Once again, shit was supposed to be off the chain! The Bullets had Webber and Juwan Howard! But Webber got hurt. Then they drafted Rasheed Wallace the next year! But Webber got hurt again. The Bullets wound up making the playoffs once under Webber's watch but got put out by Jordan and them. This was also around the time Nike came out with those ridiculously priced C-Webb Air Max's. I know of at least two dudes got got robbed for theirs. I'm glad I was raised to know better than to spend $130 on some damn sneakers.

Webber started getting in a little trouble out in D.C. so he got traded to the Sacramento Kings. And from that point, he pretty much helped but that franchise on the map (and put out a rap CD). Their first squad with Jason Williams, Corliss Williamson and Vlade Divac had a good season ending with a playoff defeat at the hands of the Utah Jazz. They later switched things up trading for Mike Bibby and Doug Christie...but they couldn't get past Shaq & Kobe in the 2002 Playoffs, because they got cheated.

Webber went down with a major knee injury the next season and he'd never be the same from that point. He got traded to the 76ers, then he signed with the Pistons and got to the Eastern Conference Finals but lost to Lebron. He signed back with the Warriors this season and barely played.

I know I got kinda long winded, but I got caught up in the moment. I really liked C-Webb, I even got the chance to talk to him in the locker room once when he was in town playing the Hawks. He told me that he was starting to make beats, but wouldn't say for who. Last year a track of his surfaced with Nas rapping on it.

Anyways, I just wanted to send dude a little sendoff (I must be in a sendoff mood today).

My brother dug up a nice piece of nostalgia too...

Happy Trails Chris Webber

Today one of my favorite players growing up retired (finally), Chris Webber. I can't think of any pre-teen basketball fan that didn't ride for the Fab Five in the early 90's. Really, I can't think of any young, urban basketball fans period for that matter. If you didn't ride for the Fab Five, your coolness immediately went into question. In fact, I think the first ever article of clothing I actually bought with my own little money was a University of Michigan hat when I was on a field trip in D.C. I bought it during tourney time, one week before the infamous "time out" call.

Anyways, Webber got drafted with the #1 pick in the 1993 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic, one year after they just picked Shaquille O'Neal. They wound up trading Webber to the Golden State Warriors for their #3 pick, Penny Hardaway. I mean, Shaq & Penny did their thing, but man, I dunnno shawty. I think I woulda kept C-Webb. Can you imagine that? Shaq & C-Webb on the same team?

Well, C-Webb faired pretty well out in Oakland taking home Rookie of the Year honors and teaming up with Latrell Spreewell and Billy Owens (Tim Hardaway was injured and out for the season and Chris Mullins body started breaking down) to become one of the more exciting teams in the league. They got put out in the first round of the playoffs by Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns, but everyone was already looking forward to seeing them next year. Unfortunately, Webber and coach Don Nelson had a falling out and he got traded to the Washington Bullets.

Once again, shit was supposed to be off the chain! The Bullets had Webber and Juwan Howard! But Webber got hurt. Then they drafted Rasheed Wallace the next year! But Webber got hurt again. The Bullets wound up making the playoffs once under Webber's watch but got put out by Jordan and them. This was also around the time Nike came out with those ridiculously priced C-Webb Air Max's. I know of at least two dudes got got robbed for theirs. I'm glad I was raised to know better than to spend $130 on some damn sneakers.

Webber started getting in a little trouble out in D.C. so he got traded to the Sacramento Kings. And from that point, he pretty much helped but that franchise on the map (and put out a rap CD). Their first squad with Jason Williams, Corliss Williamson and Vlade Divac had a good season ending with a playoff defeat at the hands of the Utah Jazz. They later switched things up trading for Mike Bibby and Doug Christie...but they couldn't get past Shaq & Kobe in the 2002 Playoffs, because they got cheated.

Webber went down with a major knee injury the next season and he'd never be the same from that point. He got traded to the 76ers, then he signed with the Pistons and got to the Eastern Conference Finals but lost to Lebron. He signed back with the Warriors this season and barely played.

I know I got kinda long winded, but I got caught up in the moment. I really liked C-Webb, I even got the chance to talk to him in the locker room once when he was in town playing the Hawks. He told me that he was starting to make beats, but wouldn't say for who. Last year a track of his surfaced with Nas rapping on it.

Anyways, I just wanted to send dude a little sendoff (I must be in a sendoff mood today).

My brother dug up a nice piece of nostalgia too...

Ain't Too Proud To Beg

Call me cruel, but I am {this} close to buying one of those shirts. I'd hate to have to do that because I'm a pretty giving, encouraging and helping guy for the most part. But got damn, these folks in Atlanta be BEGGING!

Don't get me wrong, I don't think I'm better than anyone and I understand that I could be a few checks and a missed prayer away from being on the street, especially in this economy, but got damn, that begging shit just get on your nerves now.

I used to be that guy (and occasional sucker) that would just give folks out on the street some change or money because deep down, I really believed that they needed the help. Plus, I believe in the whole if you give you will get twice back thing. But, over the last few years of living here, I've grown to realize that we just got a city of careers beggars. Really, not even that, just a city full of sorry ass mah fuggas who just think its cool to ask for shit all the got damn time.

Last night I was walking out of Wal Mart after stocking up on some medicine, tea and other things to help me battle this hay fever cold thing I got going right now. As I'm going to my car, this dude creeps up in a Ford Explorer. At this point, I'm thinking this dude is about to either ask something of me or take something from me. He starts talking and he's like: "hey, brotha...I was wondering if you could "help" me. I just put my last $2.50 in my gas tank and I'm on E. I'm not going to make it home."

Now, the nice guy in me gave the dude a couple dollars to match that bullshit $2.50 he was talking about. The tired-as-hell-of-this-shit guy in me straight up told him: "brah, if thats the case don't you need to be AT THE GAS STATION asking for help, why are you driving around in the Wal Mart parking lot wasting gas?!?"

Am I being mean for thinking that this nigga was just going around trying to beg for money? Because that's what it felt like. If I was down to my last dollar and needed gas, nigga, I'm gonna be at the fucking gas station...I mean, thats where the money AND gas is, aint it?

That reminded me of another time, also dealing with gas. I was walking out of the cigar bar one night...you know, doing "research" for this story I was writing on at the time. The bar is in one of the newer gentrified areas of the city where everything is a loft. Its down there around where Usher's restaurant is. Anyways, I'm walking out and from about 30 feet I could see a shadow standing on the corner. Now, I hate to sound like a conclusion-jumper but, a nigga standing on the corner, in the cold, in a nice neighborhood usually ain't waiting on a taxi.

So, I have to walk past dude to get to where I'm parked. Of course, he starts talking...opens with the "i was wondering if you could..." line. Here's how the conversation when.

Dude: I was wondering if you could help me.

Me: With what?

Dude: I'm not from around here. Me, my wife, my kids and my mother drove down here from Kentucky. I ran out of gas about 10 blocks away from here. The ATM machine took my card so I can't get any money to get gas. My family is in the car right now. I had to leave them behind so I could go out and try and find away to get back on the road. And I was wondering if you could help me.

Me: So what are you asking me?

Dude: For help?

Me: What kind of help?

Dude: Anything you can do to help?

Me: Like what, what are you asking me?

Dude: Are you driving?

Me: Yeah.

Dude: Well, I'll give you the title to my car and $500 if you can help me. I've been standing out here for an hour waiting on this guy who said he was going to help me, and he never came back. He said he was gonna run to the ATM and help me with some money, but he never came back. They said that this is a nice part of town with nice people and I was just looking for someone to help me out.

Me: Ok. So...what are you asking me?

Dude: For help.

Me: A ride? Money? What are you asking me for?

Dude: Cmon brotha. I don't mean to bother you, I'm just trying to get home. My family is freezing in the car.

Me: Ok.

Dude: So can you help me?

Me: DUDE! I'm trying to see if I can, what are you asking me for!

Dude: Well. I heard there is an ATM machine around the corner. I was wondering if you could let me hold few dollars and then take me back to my car.

Me: Got damn nigga...

Dude: I know man...

Me: So, you still gonna give me the title your car and $500? Why aren't you using the $500 for gas?

Dude: Well, because its in my account and remember the ATM took my card.

Me: So where are you parked?

Dude: Down by the hospital.

Me: Thats far as hell dude.

Dude: I know, but, if thats too far, we can just go to the ATM I was talking about.

Me: Oh really?

I'll end it there but, know that I was tipsy and thats the only reason I even entertained that shit for that long...I guess I needed a laugh. But, this nigga left his "family" ten blocks away, isn't from here but knows where the best ATMs are and once again, needs gas, but isn't at the gas station...cmon now. Then this nigga was giving me directions to where his "family" was using streets that even I didn't know could get me there..."im not from here," nigga please. When I walked off on his ass, he had the gall to say "man, I thought Atlanta people were nice." Whatever dude.

The begging in Atlanta is so out of control that I don't even like going certain places anymore. Mainly Slice on Peters St. Them niggas are out of control. I remember one night I was talking to an old friend outside, he was sitting in his car. A dude came up and interrupted our conversation with that "excuse me brotha, I..." shit. We shut him down and told him we were talking...but he didn't leave, he just stood on the wall and waited for us to finish. Then, a second dude came and stood next to him. Then a third dude came a stood on the corner. I mean, damn...are these niggas about to rob us?

So after we finished talking, one by one these niggas came up begging. One wanted something to eat, but he didn't want me to actually get him something to eat, he wanted the money to get something to eat...riiiiiight. The other dude just came out and said "im out here fucked up, i dont even be out here begging like that everyday, i just need some help." His face went cold when I told him "nigga, i just gave some money yesterday, yes, you do be out here everyday." The third dude asked me if I wanted to hear some poetry. I told him no because he came at me with that line last month, and the poem was wack and I wasn't going to pay him again for that shit.

Sorry if I'm sounding mean, but damn, that shit is getting crazy. I mean, I tend to keep my car clean and I'm not a club promoter...so I don't need my car washed or my flyers handed out...but, if I did, I'd give them money for that if they offered. At least they offering a service. But shied, I don't even see alot of them anymore. These new niggas just beg for the sport.

They be doing shit like standing in parking spots talking about "$5 to park here, I'll watch it for you" like its their lot or they actually gonna do something if someone messes with my car, shied, its yo ass that needs be getting watched.

I can't be the only person that feels this way. I mean, I still "help" some of these folks out if it feels like they really genuinely need it. Unfortunately, I'm not Jesus so I don't know how to gauge if these folks be lying or not, but, I'd like to think that I'm pretty good at determining if I'm being hustled or not. I understand that employment and homelessness is a problem not to be made fun of, but man, some of these folks out here just lazy people man. They don't want to "help" themselves.

I wish I could find my Ready To Die CD, so I can just start blasting "The What" and turn up the hook when ever these cats come around.

Ain't Too Proud To Beg

Call me cruel, but I am {this} close to buying one of those shirts. I'd hate to have to do that because I'm a pretty giving, encouraging and helping guy for the most part. But got damn, these folks in Atlanta be BEGGING!

Don't get me wrong, I don't think I'm better than anyone and I understand that I could be a few checks and a missed prayer away from being on the street, especially in this economy, but got damn, that begging shit just get on your nerves now.

I used to be that guy (and occasional sucker) that would just give folks out on the street some change or money because deep down, I really believed that they needed the help. Plus, I believe in the whole if you give you will get twice back thing. But, over the last few years of living here, I've grown to realize that we just got a city of careers beggars. Really, not even that, just a city full of sorry ass mah fuggas who just think its cool to ask for shit all the got damn time.

Last night I was walking out of Wal Mart after stocking up on some medicine, tea and other things to help me battle this hay fever cold thing I got going right now. As I'm going to my car, this dude creeps up in a Ford Explorer. At this point, I'm thinking this dude is about to either ask something of me or take something from me. He starts talking and he's like: "hey, brotha...I was wondering if you could "help" me. I just put my last $2.50 in my gas tank and I'm on E. I'm not going to make it home."

Now, the nice guy in me gave the dude a couple dollars to match that bullshit $2.50 he was talking about. The tired-as-hell-of-this-shit guy in me straight up told him: "brah, if thats the case don't you need to be AT THE GAS STATION asking for help, why are you driving around in the Wal Mart parking lot wasting gas?!?"

Am I being mean for thinking that this nigga was just going around trying to beg for money? Because that's what it felt like. If I was down to my last dollar and needed gas, nigga, I'm gonna be at the fucking gas station...I mean, thats where the money AND gas is, aint it?

That reminded me of another time, also dealing with gas. I was walking out of the cigar bar one night...you know, doing "research" for this story I was writing on at the time. The bar is in one of the newer gentrified areas of the city where everything is a loft. Its down there around where Usher's restaurant is. Anyways, I'm walking out and from about 30 feet I could see a shadow standing on the corner. Now, I hate to sound like a conclusion-jumper but, a nigga standing on the corner, in the cold, in a nice neighborhood usually ain't waiting on a taxi.

So, I have to walk past dude to get to where I'm parked. Of course, he starts talking...opens with the "i was wondering if you could..." line. Here's how the conversation when.

Dude: I was wondering if you could help me.

Me: With what?

Dude: I'm not from around here. Me, my wife, my kids and my mother drove down here from Kentucky. I ran out of gas about 10 blocks away from here. The ATM machine took my card so I can't get any money to get gas. My family is in the car right now. I had to leave them behind so I could go out and try and find away to get back on the road. And I was wondering if you could help me.

Me: So what are you asking me?

Dude: For help?

Me: What kind of help?

Dude: Anything you can do to help?

Me: Like what, what are you asking me?

Dude: Are you driving?

Me: Yeah.

Dude: Well, I'll give you the title to my car and $500 if you can help me. I've been standing out here for an hour waiting on this guy who said he was going to help me, and he never came back. He said he was gonna run to the ATM and help me with some money, but he never came back. They said that this is a nice part of town with nice people and I was just looking for someone to help me out.

Me: Ok. So...what are you asking me?

Dude: For help.

Me: A ride? Money? What are you asking me for?

Dude: Cmon brotha. I don't mean to bother you, I'm just trying to get home. My family is freezing in the car.

Me: Ok.

Dude: So can you help me?

Me: DUDE! I'm trying to see if I can, what are you asking me for!

Dude: Well. I heard there is an ATM machine around the corner. I was wondering if you could let me hold few dollars and then take me back to my car.

Me: Got damn nigga...

Dude: I know man...

Me: So, you still gonna give me the title your car and $500? Why aren't you using the $500 for gas?

Dude: Well, because its in my account and remember the ATM took my card.

Me: So where are you parked?

Dude: Down by the hospital.

Me: Thats far as hell dude.

Dude: I know, but, if thats too far, we can just go to the ATM I was talking about.

Me: Oh really?

I'll end it there but, know that I was tipsy and thats the only reason I even entertained that shit for that long...I guess I needed a laugh. But, this nigga left his "family" ten blocks away, isn't from here but knows where the best ATMs are and once again, needs gas, but isn't at the gas station...cmon now. Then this nigga was giving me directions to where his "family" was using streets that even I didn't know could get me there..."im not from here," nigga please. When I walked off on his ass, he had the gall to say "man, I thought Atlanta people were nice." Whatever dude.

The begging in Atlanta is so out of control that I don't even like going certain places anymore. Mainly Slice on Peters St. Them niggas are out of control. I remember one night I was talking to an old friend outside, he was sitting in his car. A dude came up and interrupted our conversation with that "excuse me brotha, I..." shit. We shut him down and told him we were talking...but he didn't leave, he just stood on the wall and waited for us to finish. Then, a second dude came and stood next to him. Then a third dude came a stood on the corner. I mean, damn...are these niggas about to rob us?

So after we finished talking, one by one these niggas came up begging. One wanted something to eat, but he didn't want me to actually get him something to eat, he wanted the money to get something to eat...riiiiiight. The other dude just came out and said "im out here fucked up, i dont even be out here begging like that everyday, i just need some help." His face went cold when I told him "nigga, i just gave some money yesterday, yes, you do be out here everyday." The third dude asked me if I wanted to hear some poetry. I told him no because he came at me with that line last month, and the poem was wack and I wasn't going to pay him again for that shit.

Sorry if I'm sounding mean, but damn, that shit is getting crazy. I mean, I tend to keep my car clean and I'm not a club promoter...so I don't need my car washed or my flyers handed out...but, if I did, I'd give them money for that if they offered. At least they offering a service. But shied, I don't even see alot of them anymore. These new niggas just beg for the sport.

They be doing shit like standing in parking spots talking about "$5 to park here, I'll watch it for you" like its their lot or they actually gonna do something if someone messes with my car, shied, its yo ass that needs be getting watched.

I can't be the only person that feels this way. I mean, I still "help" some of these folks out if it feels like they really genuinely need it. Unfortunately, I'm not Jesus so I don't know how to gauge if these folks be lying or not, but, I'd like to think that I'm pretty good at determining if I'm being hustled or not. I understand that employment and homelessness is a problem not to be made fun of, but man, some of these folks out here just lazy people man. They don't want to "help" themselves.

I wish I could find my Ready To Die CD, so I can just start blasting "The What" and turn up the hook when ever these cats come around.

Hate That I Missed This

Fuggin Awesome is one of the many, well not many, underground shows in the A that showcases some the dopest and coolest music in the city. I got a chance to go the the first one and really enjoyed myself. They're held at the Drunken Unicorn which probably has the cheapest drinks in town. It gets smoky as hell in there, but its still cool. The environment really makes you feel like you are witnessing history every time you go.

Well, I missed the one they had this weekend because I was at the A3C (Chris Rock, Jannelle Money, Van Hunt...damn, alot of shit was going on on Saturday). But here is some video and pics of what went down courtesy of The Hydrilla. I heard the shit was crunk and it damn sure looked like it.

Yelawolf




Yelawolf, Gangsta Pill (from Grind Time) & Suntoucher

Hate That I Missed This

Fuggin Awesome is one of the many, well not many, underground shows in the A that showcases some the dopest and coolest music in the city. I got a chance to go the the first one and really enjoyed myself. They're held at the Drunken Unicorn which probably has the cheapest drinks in town. It gets smoky as hell in there, but its still cool. The environment really makes you feel like you are witnessing history every time you go.

Well, I missed the one they had this weekend because I was at the A3C (Chris Rock, Jannelle Money, Van Hunt...damn, alot of shit was going on on Saturday). But here is some video and pics of what went down courtesy of The Hydrilla. I heard the shit was crunk and it damn sure looked like it.

Yelawolf




Yelawolf, Gangsta Pill (from Grind Time) & Suntoucher

Blinds Have All The Fun

I mean got damn brah, newly-appointed New York Governor David Patterson has led a busy life hasn't he? Much props to dude for making it from Brooklyn to the Governor's office without even being able to see the path he's walked. But shit, this dude is doing alot.

In case you haven't heard, in attempts to avoid the scrutiny that his successor Elliot Spitzor (and Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick) have been receiving in lieu of their sex scandals...Patterson figured it would be a good idea to just put his past out in the open. You know, like how Obama did when he admitted to VIBE that he'd punched a white boy at a basketball game and that he partook in dank, drank and crank when he was in high school.

Well, first Patterson told the media that yes, he's cheated on his wife. More than once. Okay, no big deal I guess.

Then, today he admitted that yes, he's done drugs. More than once.

I mean yeah, no one is perfect. But got damn buddy. I don't know if I want to hear anymore. I know he's a politician, but shit, he can keep somethings to himself. Lord knows what else this man has to reveal.

But, kudos to him for living his life I guess. I don't know any blind people personally, I've only met two blind people in my life. One was Stevie Wonder and the other was some rapper in Macon, Georgia. And yes, in case you are wondering, he went by FBR...First Blind Rapper.

I was ignorant, literally blind to the fact that blind people could live extraordinary lives until I saw Ray for the first time. But even then I was still like, "man, thats one in a million." But I guess I'm wrong...blind niggas be doing the damn thang.

Let me close by asking this, and I'm not trying to be funny or rude. But I mean, with Stevie and Ray, okay, they were entertainers. So yeah, thats all good. But damn, how a blind dude get to be Governor? Don't they have to sign bills into law and shit? And you're not going to convince me that they are printing up thousands of braile pages just for him...something don't look right.

Blinds Have All The Fun

I mean got damn brah, newly-appointed New York Governor David Patterson has led a busy life hasn't he? Much props to dude for making it from Brooklyn to the Governor's office without even being able to see the path he's walked. But shit, this dude is doing alot.

In case you haven't heard, in attempts to avoid the scrutiny that his successor Elliot Spitzor (and Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick) have been receiving in lieu of their sex scandals...Patterson figured it would be a good idea to just put his past out in the open. You know, like how Obama did when he admitted to VIBE that he'd punched a white boy at a basketball game and that he partook in dank, drank and crank when he was in high school.

Well, first Patterson told the media that yes, he's cheated on his wife. More than once. Okay, no big deal I guess.

Then, today he admitted that yes, he's done drugs. More than once.

I mean yeah, no one is perfect. But got damn buddy. I don't know if I want to hear anymore. I know he's a politician, but shit, he can keep somethings to himself. Lord knows what else this man has to reveal.

But, kudos to him for living his life I guess. I don't know any blind people personally, I've only met two blind people in my life. One was Stevie Wonder and the other was some rapper in Macon, Georgia. And yes, in case you are wondering, he went by FBR...First Blind Rapper.

I was ignorant, literally blind to the fact that blind people could live extraordinary lives until I saw Ray for the first time. But even then I was still like, "man, thats one in a million." But I guess I'm wrong...blind niggas be doing the damn thang.

Let me close by asking this, and I'm not trying to be funny or rude. But I mean, with Stevie and Ray, okay, they were entertainers. So yeah, thats all good. But damn, how a blind dude get to be Governor? Don't they have to sign bills into law and shit? And you're not going to convince me that they are printing up thousands of braile pages just for him...something don't look right.

The Greatest Soap Opera of All Time?

Yesterday, I kept having old Alexander O'Neal and Cherrelle songs popping up in my head for some reason. I grew up listening to these songs on the radio and I remember seeing the videos on TV. But you know how it is when you're a kid, you know the words, you know the melody, but you don't completely grasp on to exact meaning of the songs...you feel me? You know, like how people like to play Earth, Wind & Fire's "Reasons" at their wedding...if you listen to the words, you'd know that's not the look.

Anyways, as a grown man, I'm really just now starting to understand exactly what Alexander O'Neal and Cherrelle were saying in their songs. I mean, I've known what they've been saying for some years now, but I mean, what they are saying to each other. Am I late to the game for just now discovering this? Obviously they were singing to each other on the many duets they had, but, their solo songs seemed to be a part of a long saga that Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis might have thought up.

Now before I get into this, let me start by saying that that damn Alexander O'Neal was a straight up p**** hound. This dude went hard on his songs! My brother said that from the looks he used to shoot the camera, he seemed like the kinda cat that thought like "ok now, I can sing and you can give it to me...or I can yell and I'll take it!" That said, lets start with the scenario from this "Innocent" video.

Playa ass 'Zander O'Neal walks into a diner (probably after an intense night of playing with his nose) looking like the got damn Big Bad Wolf. He spots a sweet, cute little Cherrelle and they exchange a couple looks. From the looks of it, 'Zander is the man around town as all the ladies in the diner are throwing themselves at them as if its nothing new. Cherrelle is trying to play the "innocent" role, turning down 'Zander's offerings of "alot of love." She looks like she's starting to break, but dude might have messed up saying some bold shit like "you know you could lose your innocence." When ol' girl hears that she snaps, slaps dude and runs in the bathroom to cool off. But, the Big Bad Wolf done laid his mack hand down so strong that she think she sees this nigga in the got damn mirror! That's not all, check this shit out. Dude left his car keys on the jukebox earlier so that when she walks out, she can choose or lose. She straight chose, took the keys hopped in his car, pulled up and told him to get. That's some cold game dude laid down. Peep the story for yourself below.

[Side Note: Its always a trip how back in the day the word "love" was used to substitute the more graphic terms we use when talking about sex. Oh yeah, see if you catch the "that's fragile" reference. That's some slick literary allusion right there.]

"Innocent" Alexander O'Neal f/ Cherelle



Aight, so, after they ride out, some miscommunication must have went down on the way to the crib. Evidently, Cherrelle's "innocent" girl routine turned out to be exacly what it looked like, some straight up d*** teasing. I'm not sure if they made it to the crib or not, but at some point between the diner and the house, she got on that bullshit talking about "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On." From the looks of the video, 'Zander must have gotten pissed...he went from Big Bad Wolf to straight gorilla pimp on her ass.

Cherrelle "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On"

Now, you know how niggas do when girl get on that bullshit. They do one of two things: get mad and snap or beg their ass off. Sounds like my man 'Zander O'Neal opted for the latter.

After calming down (and probably coming down from his coke high) he got emotional realized that he wasn't going to be hitting that night, and probably no time soon. So what does he do? What most niggas with blue balls would do...he hits the streets looking for the next candidate. You have to remember now, he's far from the diner where all the willing hoochies were at. So, after roaming the streets and coming up empty, he takes it to the crib where it looks like gave his mattress and pillows the business. See it for yourself in the "If You Were Here Tonight" video.



After all that dry humping, I guess 'Zander O'Neal got himself back together and decided to give it another shot. Much to his surprise, Cherrelle was entertaining his advances. Now, seeing this change in behavior, I have to assume that Cherrelle must have been playing those games because she already had a dude she was messing with, but things were going kinda sour at the time.

Cherrelle "Artificial Heart"



You know, since things in her relationship weren't exactly on the sunnyside, she probably wanted to hook up with ol' 'Zander but didn't because she wasn't all the way sure about how to do it. So looking back on the situation, she handled it like a lil' player, you just can't be having niggas from the diner all up in the house when you got a dude who just might be home or on his way there. So, after a couple conversations and rendezvous, 'Zander and Cherrelle decided get sneaky freaky on the weekends.

Alexander O'Neal & Cherrelle "Saturday Love"

[there aren't any story telling scenes in this vid, but the lyrics at the end tell the story for you: Never on Sunday, Monday's too soon...Tuesday and Wednesday JUST WON'T DO!...Thursday and Friday, we can begin...But our Saturday love, Will never eeeeeeeeend, *sugar*]



Eventually they must have got their schedules down pat to where they could see each other more than just once a week, but they still had to keep it on the low.

Alexander O'Neal & Cherrelle "Never Knew Love Like This"
[notice that they are never actually seen together in this vid until the very end. They are in different places playing phone tag and hiding their relationship from the cameras until they catch them at the end.]



Now, besides folks being all up in their business, everything seems to be going pretty good. They got a cool little understanding going on here. I mean Cherrelle was really down for this shit. Peep these vids:

"Affair" Cherrelle
[the hook says "I don't need commitment...all I need is just to be close to you"]



Hell, she even tells 'Zander that he's on his job, for real for real.

Cherrelle "Everything I Miss At Home"



Somewhere something happened though. Their little arrangement started falling apart. I think this is around the time 'Zander O'Neal started going overboard with the booger sugar, because he just started going off for no apparent reason. It didn't help that dude in the video above obviously wasn't him. That must have got him feeling all defensive and paranoid and shit.

Alexander O'Neal "Fake"
[peep how he going off about how the woman he's singing about having long hair one day and short hair the next. funny how Cherrelle went from short to long back to short in the video above]


Alexander O'Neal "Criticize"
[peep how he was sweating hard as hell singing "don't criticize my lifestyle!"]



Eventually 'Zander's outbursts became too much to deal with so Cherrelle started cheating on 'Zander and Jimmy Jam and Terri Lewis by rolling with some of Whitney Houston's producers to put out an album. The single was "Never In My Life." The song is pretty much about growing tired of a relationship that just ain't right, wanting something new. Peep it or listen.

Doesn't sound like 'Zander O'Neal was really faded though. He got back on his Big Bad Wolf and got back on the prowl. From the looks of this video, he upgraded from cheap diners to more classy establishments. Hell, at some points, he even sounded like he was telling Cherrelle "you still got the number."

Alexander O'Neal "All True Man"



Now, to the best of my knowledge and research, all of these songs are presented in chronological order. So in saying that, man, there had to be some real life shit going down between these two. You don't just make songs like these and release them in this order by mistake. Either that or them and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis done fugged around and crafted an epic audio soap opera that deserves some type of award.

Once again I ask, am I late in discovering this? I mean, I already know I'm crazy for putting this long ass blog together, so that's not in question. But really though...ya'll got to feel me on this one.

The Greatest Soap Opera of All Time?

Yesterday, I kept having old Alexander O'Neal and Cherrelle songs popping up in my head for some reason. I grew up listening to these songs on the radio and I remember seeing the videos on TV. But you know how it is when you're a kid, you know the words, you know the melody, but you don't completely grasp on to exact meaning of the songs...you feel me? You know, like how people like to play Earth, Wind & Fire's "Reasons" at their wedding...if you listen to the words, you'd know that's not the look.

Anyways, as a grown man, I'm really just now starting to understand exactly what Alexander O'Neal and Cherrelle were saying in their songs. I mean, I've known what they've been saying for some years now, but I mean, what they are saying to each other. Am I late to the game for just now discovering this? Obviously they were singing to each other on the many duets they had, but, their solo songs seemed to be a part of a long saga that Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis might have thought up.

Now before I get into this, let me start by saying that that damn Alexander O'Neal was a straight up p**** hound. This dude went hard on his songs! My brother said that from the looks he used to shoot the camera, he seemed like the kinda cat that thought like "ok now, I can sing and you can give it to me...or I can yell and I'll take it!" That said, lets start with the scenario from this "Innocent" video.

Playa ass 'Zander O'Neal walks into a diner (probably after an intense night of playing with his nose) looking like the got damn Big Bad Wolf. He spots a sweet, cute little Cherrelle and they exchange a couple looks. From the looks of it, 'Zander is the man around town as all the ladies in the diner are throwing themselves at them as if its nothing new. Cherrelle is trying to play the "innocent" role, turning down 'Zander's offerings of "alot of love." She looks like she's starting to break, but dude might have messed up saying some bold shit like "you know you could lose your innocence." When ol' girl hears that she snaps, slaps dude and runs in the bathroom to cool off. But, the Big Bad Wolf done laid his mack hand down so strong that she think she sees this nigga in the got damn mirror! That's not all, check this shit out. Dude left his car keys on the jukebox earlier so that when she walks out, she can choose or lose. She straight chose, took the keys hopped in his car, pulled up and told him to get. That's some cold game dude laid down. Peep the story for yourself below.

[Side Note: Its always a trip how back in the day the word "love" was used to substitute the more graphic terms we use when talking about sex. Oh yeah, see if you catch the "that's fragile" reference. That's some slick literary allusion right there.]

"Innocent" Alexander O'Neal f/ Cherelle



Aight, so, after they ride out, some miscommunication must have went down on the way to the crib. Evidently, Cherrelle's "innocent" girl routine turned out to be exacly what it looked like, some straight up d*** teasing. I'm not sure if they made it to the crib or not, but at some point between the diner and the house, she got on that bullshit talking about "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On." From the looks of the video, 'Zander must have gotten pissed...he went from Big Bad Wolf to straight gorilla pimp on her ass.

Cherrelle "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On"

Now, you know how niggas do when girl get on that bullshit. They do one of two things: get mad and snap or beg their ass off. Sounds like my man 'Zander O'Neal opted for the latter.

After calming down (and probably coming down from his coke high) he got emotional realized that he wasn't going to be hitting that night, and probably no time soon. So what does he do? What most niggas with blue balls would do...he hits the streets looking for the next candidate. You have to remember now, he's far from the diner where all the willing hoochies were at. So, after roaming the streets and coming up empty, he takes it to the crib where it looks like gave his mattress and pillows the business. See it for yourself in the "If You Were Here Tonight" video.



After all that dry humping, I guess 'Zander O'Neal got himself back together and decided to give it another shot. Much to his surprise, Cherrelle was entertaining his advances. Now, seeing this change in behavior, I have to assume that Cherrelle must have been playing those games because she already had a dude she was messing with, but things were going kinda sour at the time.

Cherrelle "Artificial Heart"



You know, since things in her relationship weren't exactly on the sunnyside, she probably wanted to hook up with ol' 'Zander but didn't because she wasn't all the way sure about how to do it. So looking back on the situation, she handled it like a lil' player, you just can't be having niggas from the diner all up in the house when you got a dude who just might be home or on his way there. So, after a couple conversations and rendezvous, 'Zander and Cherrelle decided get sneaky freaky on the weekends.

Alexander O'Neal & Cherrelle "Saturday Love"

[there aren't any story telling scenes in this vid, but the lyrics at the end tell the story for you: Never on Sunday, Monday's too soon...Tuesday and Wednesday JUST WON'T DO!...Thursday and Friday, we can begin...But our Saturday love, Will never eeeeeeeeend, *sugar*]



Eventually they must have got their schedules down pat to where they could see each other more than just once a week, but they still had to keep it on the low.

Alexander O'Neal & Cherrelle "Never Knew Love Like This"
[notice that they are never actually seen together in this vid until the very end. They are in different places playing phone tag and hiding their relationship from the cameras until they catch them at the end.]



Now, besides folks being all up in their business, everything seems to be going pretty good. They got a cool little understanding going on here. I mean Cherrelle was really down for this shit. Peep these vids:

"Affair" Cherrelle
[the hook says "I don't need commitment...all I need is just to be close to you"]



Hell, she even tells 'Zander that he's on his job, for real for real.

Cherrelle "Everything I Miss At Home"



Somewhere something happened though. Their little arrangement started falling apart. I think this is around the time 'Zander O'Neal started going overboard with the booger sugar, because he just started going off for no apparent reason. It didn't help that dude in the video above obviously wasn't him. That must have got him feeling all defensive and paranoid and shit.

Alexander O'Neal "Fake"
[peep how he going off about how the woman he's singing about having long hair one day and short hair the next. funny how Cherrelle went from short to long back to short in the video above]


Alexander O'Neal "Criticize"
[peep how he was sweating hard as hell singing "don't criticize my lifestyle!"]



Eventually 'Zander's outbursts became too much to deal with so Cherrelle started cheating on 'Zander and Jimmy Jam and Terri Lewis by rolling with some of Whitney Houston's producers to put out an album. The single was "Never In My Life." The song is pretty much about growing tired of a relationship that just ain't right, wanting something new. Peep it or listen.

Doesn't sound like 'Zander O'Neal was really faded though. He got back on his Big Bad Wolf and got back on the prowl. From the looks of this video, he upgraded from cheap diners to more classy establishments. Hell, at some points, he even sounded like he was telling Cherrelle "you still got the number."

Alexander O'Neal "All True Man"



Now, to the best of my knowledge and research, all of these songs are presented in chronological order. So in saying that, man, there had to be some real life shit going down between these two. You don't just make songs like these and release them in this order by mistake. Either that or them and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis done fugged around and crafted an epic audio soap opera that deserves some type of award.

Once again I ask, am I late in discovering this? I mean, I already know I'm crazy for putting this long ass blog together, so that's not in question. But really though...ya'll got to feel me on this one.

Field Trip!

Looks like the kids are having fun on this field trip to the gym. Why couldn't my school take me on ones like this? Don't nobody wanna go see no damn Fernbank! (peep the little dudes to the far right, is this what they learn in school where they're at?)

Field Trip!

Looks like the kids are having fun on this field trip to the gym. Why couldn't my school take me on ones like this? Don't nobody wanna go see no damn Fernbank! (peep the little dudes to the far right, is this what they learn in school where they're at?)

Where's The Beef?

So I'm watching some Sunday night tell-lie-vision. A Wendy's commercial came on and I realized that someone in their marketing department finally decided that the whole men wearing wigs campaign was not a good look. Now, they just have regular commercials with normal people in it. They've opted to actually use images of Wendy instead of dudes rocking fire red pigtails.

In looking at the commercials, I got the thinking. Why don't we ever see the rest of Wendy's body? In all my years of eating and even working at Wendy's in high school, I can't remember seeing the rest of this chick's body, ever. The above logo would have you believe that Wendy is some cute freckle-faced girl who enjoys a nice hamburger (with fries and milkshake and chili and sometimes a salad) from time to time. But after seeing the shit Wendy's has been selling lately, I'm starting to think that they don't show the rest of Wendy's body because she probably looks like this.

I mean really, look at the burgers Wendy's has been advertising lately:



The Spicy Baconator. The Baconator. The Triple Stack. As Clipse and Pharrell would say...GOT DAMN!

I ain't gonna lie, I messed around and got that Baconator (twice). And yeah, the shit tasted good as hell. But, halfway through that second time I got it, I started feeling bad. I felt like a damn slob. Granted, I thought I was being somewhat "healthy" by ordering mines sans cheese with lettuce, tomato and onion..you know, vegetables. But I had to ask myself, what the hell was I doing eating two pieces of beef with 6 slices of bacon? That shit don't make no damn sense. And now to see that they are hawking Spicy Baconators with who knows what kind of sauce, jalapeno peppers and pepperjack cheese? Got damn, they must be trying to kill their customers.

As crazy as those two burgers sound, I'm most surprised to see that they are actually advertising the Triple Stack hamburgers. When I worked at a Wendy's in 11th grade, that was some shit that most customers didn't know of. Mainly, because no one (except for me and my greedy ass friends who worked there with me) would even think of ordering a hamburger with 3 pieces of meat. But, sho'nuff, there was a "triple" button on the cash register, so if someone did want it, they had it for you.

Now that I think of it, there was a bunch of crazy shit on those cash registers. I worked at the one near Cumberland Mall so, you had a bunch of snobby, rich folks who always made sure you followed the "customer is always right" mantra. This one lady came up and asked for a half-burger. Naturally, I'm like "we don't do that here." She barked that we did. I replied, "how you gonna tell me what we sell, go'on with that foolishness." To my surprise we did. The manager pointed out that there was a "1/2" button on the register. So yeah, we actually cooked this woman a whole hamburger, cut it in half and sold it to her for half the price. That was the dumbest shit I ever saw.

No hold up, the dumbest shit I ever saw was when this other lady walked up talking about she'd like a "Biggie fry with no salt." Of course, I laughed at her ass and was like, "ha, funny." But she was dead ass serious. Again, I was like "nah, we don't do that." And, again, the manager came up and pointed to the "no salt" button on the register. WTF??? So yeah, we had to dump out the already cooked batch of fries...clean the thing out to get rid of any salt residue...cook a whole new bag of fries just to give this woman one six ounce box of fries. I had half a mind to be like "nah, b*tch, you taking all these damn salt-less fries!" While were on it, what the fuck did she think she was doing? Watching her health? You order fries with no salt, but get the biggest size on the menu...the fuuuuhg???

But yeah, back to the point. Why don't we see the rest of Wendy's body? I really want to see whats up. We get to see Ronald McDonald. We get to see the Burger King. Shied, we even get to see the Jack In the Box. Why not Wendy? She probably doesn't exercise like the fellas. Looks like she does hamburger curls.