Compare & Contrast Thursdays

The Notorious B.I.G vs Jay-Z



Now I wanted to compare Notorious B.I.G & Jay-Z for a long time. While I was watching the KNICKS game yesterday, I knew that I had a compare and contrast blog to do. As soon as I was thinking about my topic, Brooklyn Finest came on, which was a sign from GOD to do a blog between the two Brooklyn rappers. 

Starting it off with the Notorious B.I.G, (aka BIGGIE, FRANK WHITE, B.I.G) his considered to be one of the best rappers of all time. B.I.G stepped into the scene in 1992 on the remix to Mary J. Blige's Real Love. Then he was know for the remix to Dolly Dolly Baby with Supercat, Puff Daddy, and Mary J. Blige. Finally in 1994, he released the classic "Ready To Die" which talked about a guy from Brooklyn and the experiences that he faced. The hits included Juicy, Big Poppa, One More Chance, and Unbelievable. This album made B.I.G the biggest artist of 1995. However, with him being a star a beef with another great rapper Tupac Shakur, the EAST COAST vs WEST COAST beef. In 1996, Tupac Shakur was killed in Las Vegas, which B.I.G was said to have something to do with it. In 1997, "Life After Death" was finished, however he wouldn't be able to see it released because March 9 he was killed in LA, while promoting the album. The album sold 10 million albums and produced 2 number 1 singles. Above all, B.I.G told stories about a dude from Brooklyn trying to make it.

Being from a Brooklyn family, "Ready To Die" & "Life After Death" was always being played in my household. "Ready To Die" in my opinion is the best hip hop album of all time. Even though "Life After Death" is viewed as his best selling album, "Ready To Die" was just raw and real. B.I.G explained that "Life After Death" album was more commerical because he couldn't talk about killing and hustling, he wasn't doing that anymore. Although "Life After Death" was a good album, "Ready To Die" spoke to me more. As I stated before, these albums explained about a Brooklyn dude going from negative to positive, "and it's all good".

During the times of B.I.G, another Brooklyn rapper was getting noticed, Jay-Z. Jay-Z was known for being Big Daddy Kane's hype man and being Jaz-O's protage. Finally, in 1996 Jay-Z was released his first album, which is considered a hip hop classic "Reasonable Doubt". The album included the hits, Can't Knock The Hustle w/Mary J. Blige, the Brooklyn anthem Brooklyn Finest w/The Notorious B.I.G, Dead Presidents, Can I Live, and Ain't No Nigga w/Foxy Brown. After a year of the album's release in 1997, the death of the Notorious B.I.G took a toll on Jay. In addition, Brooklyn was missing that void since B.I.G died, so Jay took the roll. In 1997, he released "In My Lifetime Vol 1", which was very commerical. In 1998, he went back into his Reasonable Doubt days and released "Vol 2. Hard Knock Life", which included the classic, Hard Knock Life, Can I Get A, and Nigga What Nigga Who. From 1999 to 2009, he released albums that Jay-Z a powerhouse in the hip hop world. When Jay-Z accepted the role after B.I.G died, he has really stood by his word. Like Jay-Z says "What More Can I Say", in my opinion he doesn't have too.

I didn't start listening to Jay-Z until I became a teenager. This around the time when "The Blueprint" was released. However, I knew Jay's songs like Hard Knock Life, Can I Get A, and Can't Knock The Hustle. But I just didn't get into his music until "The Blueprint". To me, that album is a classic because of songs like The Takeover, Ain't No Love(Heart of The City), Song Cry, and U Don't Know. Then, I started to listen to albums like "Reasonable Doubt" and "Volume 1-3". As result, I started liking his music. My mother and father like Jay-Z, but they were more B.I.G fans, that's why he wasn't really play in my household.

SIMLIARITIES

• Both are from Brooklyn, New York
• Both were hustlers
• First albums are considered classic
• Both married R&B singers
• Both had their own record label

DIFFERENCES

• Jay-Z was a hype man for Big Daddy Kane, B.I.G wasn't a hype for anyone.
• Jay-Z had to create his own record label to get into the rap game, B.I.G was signed to Bad Boy Records, then he branched out.
• In the beginning Jay-Z was knew to be rhyming fast, but then he changed his style up. B.I.G kept his style the same
• Both artists like the KNICKS until Jay-Z went a brought the NETS. B.I.G stayed LOYAL to the KNICKS unlike Jay.
• 2 albums made B.I.G one of the best rappers of all time & it took Jay-Z about 5 albums.

WHICH RAPPER I LIKE BETTER

To me B.I.G was a better storyteller. He took you through the hood with his rhymes. Not taking anything from Jay-Z, I just think B.I.G didn't change for anybody. I think Jay-Z rode B.I.G death to become popular. However, Jay-Z is a great rapper one of the best. But if B.I.G was still living, I feel that Jay-Z would have been like Fabolous is today. I feel that "Ready To Die" is the best hip hop album of all time. My favorite Jay-Z has to be "The Blueprint" because that was the album that made me fall in love with his music. Even though "Reasonable Doubt" is considered a classic, "The Blueprint" spoke to me more. I feel that if B.I.G was still out today I think he wouldn't have changed for the coporate world, but Jay-Z did. Like B.I.G said, when you get into this industry everyone wants to go commerical because that's where the money is. But you don't change who you are, in my opinion I think Jay-Z did. Above all, I like both of this rapper because they represented Brooklyn to the fulliest, but B.I.G to me was the better rapper.

SONGS THEY DID TOGETHER

Brooklyn's Finest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_DLD7OMUns

I Love The Dough
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6HLi4oCebc&feature=related

5 FAVORITE B.I.G JOINTS

Everyday Struggle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rogvlB2SP4k

Ten Crack Commandments
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyWTJWrH1aI&feature=related

Who Shot Ya
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJC2ax18oQM

Warning
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6HC4SpqyCo

Suicidal Thoughts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GygEAcFFMVs

5 FAVORITE JAY-Z JOINTS

Takeover
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAnGnevKxJE

Moment of Charity
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L92dYzBGBHk

Ain't No Love(Heart Of The City)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QePjIIBI-sI

Can't Knock The Hustle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORQOYpLaA9U

Can I Live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC7MJ8l73SQ&feature=related


WHO'S YOUR FAVORITE OF THE TWO??

BeBe & CeCe Winans

BEBE & CECE WINANS

Wassup people, I know it's been a while since I had a blog entry. But I was on vacation in Las Vegas. However, it seemed that I was really inspired to write a blog about Bebe & Cece Winans while I was there. As you all know, music is the center of my life; it speaks for me and gets me through life challenges. Meanwhile, I was in Las Vegas and it seemed like I couldn't stop listening to "Lost Without You" by BeBe & CeCe Winans. Every morning I had to listen to that song, I didn't understand why. 

LISTEN TO UNDERSTAND!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNk866aycAs

Now that you listen to the song. Throughout the whole song GOD & JESUS was never said, but it was clearly imply. "Ever since I ask you into my heart, my world has change and you promise me you never part". The lines explains that day you gave you life to GOD he will change your world around for the good and he will never leave you.

From my friend Alicia, she explained that the record label told Bebe & Cece they were not allowed to say Jesus or God in the song. But what the record label didn't understand GOD will get his word across even if you don't use his name & that's what Bebe & Cece did. 

Bebe & Cece was the one of the reason why I feel in love with GOD music. When I was growing up my grandmother loved playing the "traditional gospel music". With me being young, I needed to hear music that spoke to me and for me. So, when my mother and I moved to South Carolina I heard "Addictive Love" on the radio. It touched my soul at 7. I remember asking my mother who this was. Every since that day, I have been listening BeBe & CeCe everyday. Bebe & CeCe seemed to make gospel speak to the young generation in a way that made you understood who and what GOD is.

For example, after I graduated college things wasn't going the way it I expected. This caused me to become discouraged. During this time, I knew GOD was with me but I didn't pray, but I expected for things to work out. In addition, I was working with a company that I was blessed to work with FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE BOUND because working with this company is where I found GOD for myself. However I knew GOD for what he did for my family, but I didn't know him for myself.  Everyone that I worked with was really spiritual, I couldn't understand how people so young can be so close with GOD. Until one day my supervisor, Raymond told me that he found a church that he knew I would like. He realized this by the artists that I played at work. I played Bebe & Cece, Kirk Franklin & the Family, and Mary Mary. He knew I needed more than just the traditional gospel music to get me to understand GOD. He took me to REID AME TEMPLE, from that day I attend that church faithfully. The second Sunday, I gave my life to GOD and I went on a fast. I gave up all music expect GOSPEL music. During this time, Bebe & Cece got back together to make an album called "STILL" after 15 years. For 40 days, I listened to that album, I cried, laugh, and sung with it. After lent and finding GOD for myself, things started to work in my life. I got the job with government, I have my own apartment, and brand new car. GOD works when you let him GUIDE and PROTECT you.

For that I have to thank Ray, Anastasia, and Jazmin for coming into my life to let me find GOD for myself. 

THANK YOU BEBE & CECE for making music that speaks to my heart about how good GOD is.

OTHER FAVORITE SONGS FROM BEBE & CECE

HEAVEN

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRnSYA7wBTE

GRACE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEU86TsUDWE

ADDICTIVE LOVE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLy7t0eGB5s

IT'S OK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9RPiiPN1dE&feature=related

NEVER THOUGHT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ho0uDVj64w

CLOSE TO YOU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANLHbYMemE4

SAM COOKE

Portrait of A True Legend

Sam Cooke in my opinion is the "King of Soul". Sam Cooke is the reason for many of our great artists of yesterday and today. Sam Cooke has been an inspiration for old school artists like Aretha Frnaklin, Marvin Gaye, and Tina Turner. As well as the new school artists like Tyrese, Usher, and Ne-Yo. Sam Cooke was soulful and classy at the same time. With songs, like Cupid, You Send Me, and my late grandfather's personal favorite Wonderful World. Cooke's music is timeless and memorable, as a result I felt that if I didn't a blog on him, my grandfather would be angry. So, granddaddy this one is for you.

Sam Cooke started his singing in church with the group "The Soul Stirrers". However, during this teenage years he wanted to be a soul singer. As a result, he started to make soul music under an alias. Finally, by 1957 he decided that soul music was in his heart, so he stop singing with the group and went solo. In 1958, he released his first single, You Send Me. Then the hits just kept coming including Chain Gang, Sad Mood, and Twisting the Night Away. By this time, Cooke was a big star, but when there is happiness there is also pain. In 1963, his son died when he was 8 months because he drowned in the pool. This cause Cooke into a deep depression, which helped him write one of the greatest songs of all time A Change is Gonna Come. He recorded the song, but never got to hear it because in 1964, Cooke was shot and killed. Even though, his death stirred a lot of controversy, you can't take away Cooke's great music. I felt that this blog had to be done, because just like Mary J. Blige, Sam Cooke is also a part of my family.

When I was younger, Sam Cooke was played in my house. When you look at our record collection, you realize the artists that my grandparents like because they brought a lot of them, Sam Cooke was one of them. Every Friday is family time, so the music and the drinks starts flowing. So, my mother would always start with request, my grandfather would be the first person to say "I want to hear Sam Cooke, "Don't know much about history", however the song title was Wonderful World. As a kid, I would just imagine Cooke singing this in front of us because on the record he sounded so cool, in today's world he had swag. When I got older, I started to watch live performances of him, just like I thought he was cool and soulful.

One Friday, my mother and I was going through our music collection and she pulled out the "Sam Cooke: Live At The Copa" album. I recalled her saying, "Get your drink ready, we are going to sit down and listen to this straight through". After the album finished, I understood the definition of class and soul, because during this live album he brought both. As a result, this album is in my top 10 albums of all time. In addition to "Live At The Copa", my mother played A Change is Gonna Come. This was my first time hearing it, I couldn't get through the song without crying . I was only 14, I didn't really know why I was crying, but later I realized that the song is so real, you can tell in Cooke's voice. Today, I still can't get through this song without crying. This is what you call a song for the ages because we can all relate to it. For example, when Barack Obama won the presidency, that song played all day because in the world's eyes a change did come. The world finally got to see a African American president.

In addition, when my grandfather was in his last days, my mother would play Sam Cooke from her phone and put it to his ear so he can listen when he sleep. When you looked at him sleep with Sam Cooke playing in his ear, he seemed so peaceful. Now, that my grandfather has passed on, I know he is at a Sam Cooke concert in heaven.

                           THANKS MR. COOKE FOR YOU GREAT MUSIC

Three of my favorite Sam Cooke songs

A Change is Gonna Come

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48K5Y0421Ig

A Wonderful World

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNO72aCnVr0&feature=related

Sad Mood

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY9Eb0tZZkA



NEW YORK KNICKS

THE BEST TEAM IN THE WORLD

Like music, I love the NEW YORK KNICKS just the same. I have been a knicks fan since 1991. These were the days when KNICKS had so much heart, they brought it every night. The players consisted of Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley, Anthony Mason, Derrick Harper, and my favorite player of all time John Starks. However, these guys had heart but they never won a championship. But when you remember these guys, it was all about dedication and heart. By the late 90's the Knicks was still a force, which included players like Allen Houston, Latrell Sprewell, Marcus Camby, Larry Johnson, Chris Childs, etc. In 1999, the Knicks went to the championship, but again lost. After the 1999 season the KNICKS went into the "BAD YEARS". Even though, in 2004 the KNICKS made it to the playoffs, it still showed that team needed a new beginning.

Fast forwarding to 2010-2011 season, in July Amare Stoudemire came to the KNICKS. It seemed like New York was beginning to become revelant again. Including Amare, we picked up Raymond Felton, Ronny Tariaf, Landry Fields, and Timofey Mozgov. During the beginning of the season, the team had chemistry problems. Finally, the KNICKS got it together and started to show the NBA that "NEW YORK was back". However, during this time Carmelo Anthony was said that he wanted to come to the KNICKS. As a result, from the middle of the season trade talks we really heating up, which caused players like Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari to play badly. These guys really wanted to stay with the KNICKS. Finally, the rumors were over and Carmelo Anthony was traded to KNICKS on Feb. 21. The trade sent Chandler, Gallo, and Mozgov to Denver for Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups. Since this big trade the DENVER Nuggets are 8-3, the KNICKS are 7-8.

Now during the trade rumors, I would listen to KNICKS BLOG RADIO with Anthony "Riceballs" Donahue(@anthonyMSG) a lot of KNICKS fans were not happy with the team that developed greatly during the season. All I heard was "when MELO comes to NY the KNICKS will be a be okay" Things like that made me angry because, you shouldn't worry about what you don't have, be glad the KNICKS are revelent again. In addition, you had people with signs in the GARDEN that would say "WE WANT MELO", which also bother me. To me, it made the current players feel like they are not wanted, which cause them to play badly in my opinion. However, I would be lying if I said I didn't want MELO as a KNICKS. But I was very hesistant about it because you don't know how players play together. Realizing that we had a big offensive player like Amare, we needed defense because that was an area that Amare lacked. Carmelo brings the offense, but would he add defense? That was my questioning.

Today we also have a big three, which included Amare, Carmelo, and Chauncey Billups. But it seems that these guys don't have the chemistry that everyone hoped for. For the last couple of games, the KNICKS have been losing to under .500 teams, such as the CAVS, PISTONS, and BUCKS. It seems to me the only BIG win we have have since the MELO trade has been the game against the Miami HEAT. Now, with the KNICKS having this 7-8 record with MELO, all these fans are saying that the KNICKS should be ashamed and how bad they are, but these were the same people saying "IF WE HAD MELO" during the beginning of the season. As a result, so far it seems the NUGGETS got the better deal.

Above all, I love my KNICKS to the end. I'm ride for them when they are losing or winning. But I feel that the players and fans should forget about the last couple of games and finish the season strong. We are finally making it to the postseason in a decade, we need to show NBA and  the world that "NEW YORK ARE STILL BACK".

Three songs the KNICKS need right now:

The Beatles- Come Together
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axb2sHpGwHQ

Jay-Z & Alicia Keys-Empire State of Mind
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Em5UYOs0Mg

@JudgeHYP- Stat n Melo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSgjzqf15vE&feature=related

TGIF

FRIDAY'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

No matter what age you are, or what your circumstances might be, you are special, and you still have something unique to offer. Your life, because of who you are, has meaning.

- Barbara de Angelis

FRIDAY'S SONG OF THE DAY



MARY J BLIGE'S "BEAUTIFUL DAY"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QqZilsg7Dc

Another Friday is here, be thankful that GOD woke you up this morning. "Millions didn't make it, but I was one of ones who did" Yall be safe this weekend...Cheers

Compare & Contrast Thursdays

The Supremes vs. En Vogue vs. Destiny's Child

GIRLS GROUPS FROM THEN TO NOW

                                       

Today at work I was listening to En Vogue's Too Gone Too Long, then Destiny's Child's Free, then the playlist ended with the Supremes' I Hear a Symphony. With that, I figured for this compare and contrast Thursday I had to the girl groups from then to now.

The Supremes are considered to be best girl group of all time. They have 12 number one singles that include Baby Love, Where Did Our Love Go, and Love Child. They were the blueprint for many girls groups that came after them. The Supremes brought class and elegence, even through live performances they were classy. The group member included Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard. After Ballard was fired Cindy Birdsong of the Blueblues joined. Then after Diana Ross went solo Jean Terrell become the lead singer. By 1977, the group disbanded.

When I was young, my mother always played Motown around the house. During those times, she would explained to me the Motown Sound that included top-tapping, hand clapping, and tambourine. As a result, when I heard Where Did Our Love Go, I understood what she meant, because the start of the song is just hand-clapping. However, my family loved more the soulful artists such as Sam Cooke, James Brown, and Tyrone Davis. As a result, I started listening to more of the Supremes in my teenage years. As stated before, the Supremes pave the way for groups like En Vogue & Destiny's Child.

Speaking of En Vogue, these four women understood the meaning of singing, they can circles around many girl groups today. En Vogue consist of Terry Ellis, Cindy Herron, Dawn Robinson, and Maxine Jones. During the early 1990s, En Vogue filled that void of girl groups because during the time male groups were popular. En Vogue reminded me of the Supremes but in a 90s kind of way. This was a group that my whole family liked because they crossed all ages groups.

At 5 years old was the I first noticed En Vogue. During this time, the Desert Storm was going on. As a result, many televisions shows such as A Different World had a episode talking about the war. So this one particular episode, Darryl Bell announced that this episode will be talking about the war, then the next thing I knew these four girls came on and sung the National Anthem. Though Whitney's version was historic, En Vogue blew me away, from the beginning of Maxine's tone to the Terry's last high note. With me falling in love with music, I started to ask a lot about them. So, my mother explained who En Vogue was and they I started listening to their music, 'til this day' En Vogue is a must on my daily playlist. Songs like Hold On, You Don't Have to Worry and Never Gonna Get It(My Lovin) makes me dance now. As previously stated En Vogue made popular male groups take notice because they can SANG, dance, and look good while doing it.

Meanwhile, Destiny's Child members had to be about 9 or 10 when En Vogue became famous. During this time, Destiny's Child was called Girl Tyme with 6 members, but their manager Matthew Knowles decreased the group to 4. The girls included: his daughter Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland, Latavia Roberson, and LeToya Luckett. Finally, the group line-up included Beyonce, Kelly, and Michelle Williams until the group disbanded in 2005.

Destiny's Child debuted in 1997, with the hit No, No, No Part 2. During this time, Janet was my top artist, so I remember on Planet Groove with Rachel when Janet's video came on No, No, No by Destiny's Child would come on after. So, I never play attention until one day I decided to actually listen to the song and I actually liked it. About a month later, there next single With Me was released. I noticed that the girls sung the lyrics fast, which became a formula for the girls. The hits continued like Bills, Bills, Bills, Say My Name, Survivor, and the women's anthem Independent Woman Pt 1. These women became the world-best selling group of all time. However, in their acceptance speech they explained if it wasn't for groups like The Supremes & En Vogue, the group couldn't have existed. They gave the women before them respect.

SIMILARITES OF THE GROUPS

• They each had their own style for the their time period
• They all could sing
• They danced
• They were all beautiful in their own right
• They all had group changes
• They all have their place in history

DIFFERENCES OF THE GROUPS

• The Supremes have 12 number one hits on the HOT 100. While Destiny's Child have 4, and surprising En Vogue has none.
• En Vogue is the only group that has disbanded
• En Vogue had hits with everyone signing lead. Destiny's Child hits were normally sung my Beyonce or Kelly. The Supremes hits were sung by Diana Ross or Jean Terrell
• Destiny's Child is the only group that actually wrote and produced the songs.

MY FAVORITE OF THE THREE

My favorite of the three is En Vogue. I didn't grow up on the Supremes, but I knew their music. As far as Destiny's Child, I was a teenage by the time they came out so I learning about music, to me they didn't appeal to all age groups. For example, my grandmother only knows Destiny's Child because of Beyonce. In addition, majority of the world knows the Supremes because of Diana Ross. When you think of En Vogue you don't think about one person, you know them as a group. As a result, when one of the group members tries to go solo it doesn't work because everyone wants En Vogue not one of them. Beyonce is doing great without Destiny's Child, she knows her history but she doesn't need the group. Like Beyonce, when Diana Ross went solo she did great without the Supremes. Dawn tried from En Vogue, her career never continued. But what I loved about En Vogue was those girls had the best harmony and could sing acapella. When I heard them sing their acceptance speech, hands down they were the best in my eyes. But I am not taking anything from Destiny's Child or the Supremes because they are both great groups. To conclude my mother told me this about En Vogue that I liked, En Vogue could be relevant back in the 60s and they can be relevant now. Well said Mom.

THREE PERSONAL FAVORITES FROM THE GIRL GROUPS

The Supremes-You Keep Me Hanging On
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKQbcJyVKR0&feature=related

En Vogue-Free Your Mind
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-Ri0Tk8WQI

Destiny's Child-Independent Woman Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8amAj9Tvaeg

2 REASONS WHY I THINK EN VOGUE IS THE BEST

NATIONAL ANTHEM LIVE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8amAj9Tvaeg

Acceptance Speech Acapella
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sHU2Ee8LOg&feature=related


WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GIRL GROUP???

Comment!!!!

RIP NATE DOGG

Nathaniel Dwayne Hale

AKA NATE DOGG

August 19, 1969 – March 15, 2011

Damn when moms told me today that Nate Dogg died it stung a little bit. It was Snoop Dogg's "Doggystyle" where I heard Nate Dogg for the first time. In 1993, my mother and father brought "Doggystyle", during this time I was just starting to learn how to cuss. After this album, I learned how to cuss in the right way. We played this album so much, family would come over our house and waited to hear it. So, when hearing about Nate Dogg's death it before me back to good memories. I remember when I first hear track 12, Aint No Fun (If the Homies Can't Have None) for the first time. With me liking soul music, I was thinking who is that guy singing because this was a hip-hop album, I didn't see where a singer would fix. But after the song ended, Nate Dogg's part made the song. After hearing "Doggystyle" over 500 times, I always love when it got to track 12. When his verse started, I would get up with my "little drink"  and 2 step to his verse. "When I left you last nite baby, before you opened up your gap"....it took me 2 times to get this part down pack, but until this day, I know every word. Then, I started to take notice on Nate Dogg. Then he did the song called Regulate with Warren G, which is considered to be a classic. So as the years continued Nate did many hooks such as Lay Low, The Next Episode, and Area Codes. But my one favorite hook from him was I Cant Deny It with Fabolous. Nate Dogg knew how to ride a beat with his vocals. There will never be another dude like Nate Dogg that had the vocals but can ride a song better than a rapper.

REST IN PEACE NATE DOGG, KEEP SINGING FOR THE Gs IN HEAVEN!!

A COUPLE OF MY FAVORITE NATE DOGG HOOKS

AINT NO FUN(IF THE HOMIES CAN HAVE NONE)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJxexU7zEMs&feature=related

REGULATE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60k9Fxrw0us

CANT DENY IT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDtnQK1WfQ&feature=related

Songs For Moment...Just A Feeling

RESENTMENT LIVE AT WYNN LAS VEGAS - BEYONCE

One of favorite Beyonce live performances. She puts so much soul into this song. She makes you picture that person that lied to you and sing the hell out of this song with so much    emotion.

WATCH IT FOR YOURSELF...FEEL THAT EMOTION

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5O0_2PX2HAc

I CAN SEE IN COLOR LIVE-SIRIUS XM CONFIDENTIAL- MARY J. BLIGE

Mary J. Blige has so many performances that I love but this one I have been thinking about all day. When you listen to this performance and you don't feel chills, you need to be checked. Mary is giving so much soul. 

CHECK IT OUT FOR YOURSELF....FEEL THE SOUL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_77oYJRIBs

SPOILED LIVE ON THE LATE SHOW- JOSS STONE

Out of the British soul singers including Adele and Amy Winehouse, my favorite is Joss Stone. Everytime she sings it sends chill up down my shine. In this performance, she really shows her vocals, showing that she can SANG!!!....Joss keep spoiling me with you great soulful voice.

WATCH HER TAKE YOU SOMEWHERE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utKqlPwDkFo

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU FEEL ABOUT THESE PERFORMANCES!!!

THE SABBATH DAY

JESUS THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DONE

Jesus is what keep me and my family going. Since 2005, my family has been going through so many struggles. It began August of 2005, my father passed on which was a big shock to us. GOD didn't prepare us for that one. As a result, it took my family about a year to get over it. So things started to look okay until 2007, my grandfather had a mild heart attack. For three years, it was a rollercaster ride, because every day there was a different problem. During this time, in 2008 my grandfather's legs were amputated. Meanwhile, I was attending school. I sometimes hated when the phone to ring because I scared my mother would tell me something bad.  By 2009, I graduated from college and my grandfather started to do better, everything was looking okay. Until October, we were again caught by surprise, when we found out that my first cousin was HIV positive. Now that took our family for surprise, because this was something that we didn't want to happen. As a result, we had to deal with my grandfather's sickness as well as my cousin's. But the one thing that stayed the same was we kept GOD first. During the thanksgiving holiday of 2009, was a very depressing time. My family traveled to South Carolina to see my cousin in the hospital. As soon as we walked into his room, we knew it didn't look good at all. It was so hard for me to look at him because, I knew that wasn't my cousin in that bed. After seeing him, I really got on my knees and ask GOD, please don't let him suffer anymore. Meanwhile, my grandfather was in NJ dealing with his sickness. It was just too much to handle. So, but the end of 2009 my cousin took a turn for the worse all his bodly organ shut down. So we prepared ourselves because we knew the end was near. As a result, mom and I went to church to pray the NEW YEAR in and to ask GOD to grant us a good year. However, two days later my cousin died of complications from the AIDS. The year didn't start off right for my family, but we kept the LORD on our side for strength. After laying my cousin to rest, throughout the year everything seemed to be well. I received a full-time position with the government, I moved into my own place, and everything was stable with my grandfather. However, the end of the year would be the last time my family would be together.  October 8 to October 10, it was the weekend of my grandfather's birthday, my mother decided to go to the Borgota Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. Mary J. Blige was peforming there and my mother got tickets. So everything seem to be happy and joyful. But when there is happiness there is pain, my grandfather got sick right after the amazing trip. This sick time it was deadly. My grandfather died November 24, 2010. I was sad to see him leave this earth, but I was happy he wasn't suffering any longer, because he suffered for 3 years. Above all, you can see my family and I have gone through struggles, but we keep GOD first.

These are the songs that help me along the way during my family's low times. Hopefully they can help you during you times of sickness, pain, hurt, disappointment, discouragment and loss.

KIRK FRANKLIN & THE FAMILY-LET ME TOUCH YOU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chi4jSdnzy4

WHITNEY HOUSTON-I LOVE THE LORD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcjP4LgW0Rw&feature=related

MARY J. BLIGE-TESTIMONY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4qFQQHyz-A

With Mary J. Blige's "Testimony" you can click on this video and see J-Boogie1 (which is me) under the comments.