Jodeci

Lately, I've been listening to a lot of Jodeci. They're a 90's R&B group like Jagged Edge, Dru Hill etc. While Boyz II Men were clean and sharp, Jodeci were dirty and sexual. They brought an overtly sexual style which set them in their own little niche with others like R.Kelly.

R.Kelly released one of his biggest hits "Bump & Grind" around the same time as Jodeci had "Feenin' ".

They came onto the scene in 1991 with their album 'Forever My Lady' which peaked at #18 on the Billboard 200. It had a bunch of their greats:

"Forever My Lady"

"Stay"

"Come and Talk to Me"

They were part of an 'MTV Unplugged' concert as a part of 'Uptown Records' with artists like Father MC and the Queen of Hip-hop soul, Mary J. Blige.

Their second album "Diary of a Mad Band" did much better and got to #3 on the Billboard 200. It had some featuring artists like rappers Redman, Timbaland and Missy Elliot (who was known as Misdemeanor at the time)

It had the songs: "Cry for You" and "Feenin" (one of my favourite songs of theirs)

A new group called 'Brutha' actually do quite a good A Capella version of 'Feenin'

Finally, their third and final album before they broke up is called "The Show, the After Party, the Hotel". It's a themed album which is amusing and it has a lot of skits which are fun but eventually get tiresome. Love Below and Speakerboxxx do the themed album with skits much better i believe. This album had another of my favourite Jodeci songs "Freek'n You" a pure grind song. "Love U 4 Life" is also another popular single of this album.

Song I like of theirs that didn't make commercial success are:

U&I - 'Forever My Lady"

Pump it Back - "The Show, the After Party, the Hotel"

"Freek'n You"

Love for Jodeci, wish to sing like that one day.

The "You Are Not the Father Dance"

I found this hilarious, even though Aidan and I aren't baby's daddies, this is out club dance.....fo' sho'.

Ahhhh Sensei

Lately i've been trying to pick up some breakdance moves. So i add them into my freestyles and other things. I've always liked breakdance, really wish i started earlier.

I'm learning how to do a basic forearm freeze. It's so cool to know something that isn't a baby freeze.

I'm also in the learning phase of windmills. I just wanna have some simple power moves, i reckon they're so cool to have.

Also, i wanna learn coin drops. They're so cool. Some people can do repeated ones, but i'm currently learning the coindrop. Hopefully i can turn it into a coindrop suicide.

Anyone got any suggestions?

Tims

You see them everywhere on BET, MTV and all over XXL, Vibe, Source. Worn by Krumpers and some Hip-hoppers. The soild, sweet and sexy Timberland boots. I want a pair so badly! They look extremely cool.

(Unfortunately it's Kanye West, but it's the first one i could find.)

When i saw Charli 2na (Jurassic 5) play, he was wearing a pair and he's the bomb. Truly an under rated rapper by mainstream society. All the J5 fan know he's a gem, shame they aren't a group anymore. Would love to see them all in concert.

The immortal Tight Eyez wears them all the time in the sets i've seen. They're so heavy, i dunno how he can dance so fast in them. He's looks fly nonetheless.

I see rappers wear them all the time, even R&B guys too. I reckon they're a mad thing to wear in winter....if you can avoid the rain.

(Jagged Edge, may not be Boyz II Men but they can sing. Damn well too. Tims at the front =] )

B-boy World

I wish i started breaking ages ago. It's so different to Hip-Hop, Krump or anything else i've tried.

Battle of Year = Awesomeness

Crew vs. Crew battles are great, and i love team work moves. Insane.

This is one of the best video's i've ever seen.

Top 10 Last.fm artists @ March 2010

10. The Notorious B.I.G.

Real Name: Christopher Wallace

Favourite 3 Songs: 

'Going Back to Cali'

This was made during the East Coast vs. West Coast rap war, which made it interesting that he was saying good thing about the other side.

'Juicy'

His first hit single from his first album, was about his troubles in his teenage life.

'Big Poppa'

This song was everywhere and went platinum in 1995.

Under-Rated Song: 

'I Got a Story to Tell'

Favourite Album:

Life After Death

Favourite Album Cover: Ready to Die

Favourite Lyric:

"When the lala hits ya lyrics just splits ya,

head so hard, that ya hat can't fit ya.

Either I'm witcha or against ya,

format venture, back through that maze I sent ya."

(Going Back to Cali)

9. Boyz II Men

Names: Nathan Morris, Shawn Stockman, Wanya Morris

Favourite 3 Songs:

'End of the Road'

It's their most popular and well know song. Possibly my favourite song ever.

'It's So Hard to Say Goodbye'

Classic song, done A capella. Wonderful.

'I Do'

A song about marriage and devotion, with powerful vocal harmonies.

Under-Rated Song:

'Thank You'

Favourite Album: II

Favourite Album Cover: Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA

8. Nelly

Real Name: Cornell Haynes

Favourite 3 Songs:

'Ride Wit Me'

Wonderful chorus that everyone knows and sings along with.

'Body On Me'

Nice piano riff and basic vibe of the track.

'Hot in Herre'

Great party song.

Under-Rated Song: 

'Lie'

Favourite Album:

Brass Knuckles

Favourite Album Cover: Sweat Suit

Favourite Lyric:

"If you wanna go and get high wit me,

Smoke an L in the back of the benzy,

Oh why do i feel this way?

Hey! Must be the money!" (Ride Wit Me)

7. 50 Cent

Real Name: Curtis Jackson

Favourite 3 Songs:

'21 Questions'

This came out after 'In Da Club' and i thought it was much better. Love both song, but the electric guitar in this song made it for me.

'I'll Still Kill'

Akon's chorus is awesome, and the track goes great with his rapping style. Gangstalicious.

'Follow My Lead'

Really cool and chilled out song. Nice contrast to his usual rough demeanour.

Under-Rated Song:

Many Men (Wish Death)

Favourite Album:

Get Rich or Die Tryin'

Favourite Album Cover: Before I Self Destruct

Favourite Lyric:

"I'm tryin to explain baby, the best way i can,

I melt in your mouth girl, not in your hand"

6. Bone Thugs N Harmony

Names: Krayzie Bone, Wish Bone, Bizzy Bone, Flesh-N-Bone, Layzie Bone.

Favourite 3 Songs:

'Notorious Thugs'

A wonderful song that Biggie collaborated with them for. Wonderful layers.

'Tha Crossroads'

Love the mix of R&B with Rap, it really shows their signature 'Bone Thugs' rap flow too.

'Look Into My Eyes'

Catchy hook for people who sing in a lower register Making it easy to sing-a-long to.

Under-Rated Song:

'Change the World'

Favourite Album Cover: E 1999 Eternal

5. Mariah Carey

Favourite 3 Songs:

'Emotions'

A really lively and strong chorus, also this song really shows off her huge vocal range, low to whistle registers.

'Honey'

It's an R&B song but has a Hip-Hop groove about. Mixing my two favourite styles together, in the opposite way i'm used to.

'Love Takes Time'

From her first album, a soft song with a sweet 90s R&B chorus.

Under-Rated Song:

'Mine Again'

Favourite Album:

E=MC2

Favourite Album Cover: The Emancipation of Mimi

4. Usher

Real Name: Usher Raymond

Favourite 3 Songs:

'U Remind Me'

The strings in the riff are a nice touch. The key change at the end made the climax strong and soulful.

'Yeah!'

Amazing song to dance to in proper R&B/Hip-Hop style or even just a jig at the club. Addictive riff and the only useful source of Lil Jon's voice apart from 'Get Low'.

'My Boo'

Usher + Alicia Keys. Need I say more, a dream duet for my taste in music.

Under-Rated Song:

'Superstar'

Favourite Album:

Confessions [Special Edition]

Favourite Album Cover: Confessions

3. T.I.

Real Name: Clifford Harris

Favourite 3 Songs:

'Dead and Gone'

As i've said before, i really enjoy the R&B mix with Rap music. A lot of fun to dance to with a sing-a-long chorus.

'What You Know'

A grimey and tough song with it's power enforced by the enormous bass that's blasted by the beat and the voice.

'Live Your Life'

Again, another sing-a-long chorus with the well known southern T.I. rapping flow.

Under-Rated Song:

Hero [Feat. Akon]

Favourite Album:

Paper Trail

Favourite Album Cover: Paper Trail

Favourite Lyric:

"I want'cho body, need'cho body,

long as you got me, you won't need nobody

you want it, i got it, go get it, i buy it

tell them other grown jokers be quiet"

2. Akon

Real Name: Aliaune Thiam

Favourite 3 Songs:

'I Wanna Love You'

Snoop's raps and Akon's half rap half singing styles complimented each other well in this.

'Blown Away'

Styles P's underground influence was shown in this song. A toy piano playing the descending melodic riff was a neat touch i thought.

'We Don't Care'

Club and party jam to jump and shout to. Simply a fun song.

Under-Rated Song:

'Trouble Nobody'

Favourite Album:

Konvicted

Favourite Album Cover:

Freedom

1. 2pac

Real Name: Tupac Shakur

Favourite 5 Songs:

'How Do U Want It?'

My favourite 2pac song, K Ci & Jojo singing the chorus in their identifiable R&B with the lyrical genius of Shakur, epitomises my love of R&B, Rap fusion.

'I Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto'

Although the last verse is a mash up of two of the verses in Changes, it's still a really enjoyable song to listen to.  

'Baby Don't Cry (Keep Your Head Up II)'

A posthumous gem, again like How Do U Want It? an R&B Rap mix, but this one was more contemporary R&B than 90s R&B.

'Changes'

Popularly known as his best song lyrics wise. 

'California Love'

His most popular and highest sold single of all time. It was release around the time of All Eyez on Me, but as a Remix. The original, and version that everyone knows, wasn't released until his Greatest Hitz Album came out.

Under-Rated Song:

'Life of an Outlaw' / 'If I Die Tonight'

Favourite 2 Albums:

All Eyez on Me, Me Against the World

(These are often debated over for which is his best work, along with 7 Day Theory)

Favourite Album Cover:

Me Against the World

Favourite Lyrics:

"Ya body is banging baby, i love it when you flaunt it,

time to give it to daddy baby now tell me how you want it"

(How Do U Want It?)

"They say pussy and paper is poetry power and pistols,

plottin' on murdering on muthafuckaz 'fore they get chu,

Picturein pitiful punk n***** copin' plea's

puffin' weed as i position myself to clock G's"

(If I Die Tonight)

"I see no changes, all i see is racist faces,

Misplaced hate makes disgrace to races"

(Changes)

My goal for the next month or to is to get Biggie and Boyz II Men higher than Akon and T.I. That's a bit shameful like that at the moment. 

Turkey!

I've done both types of bowling recently the one with fluro lights and funky shoes as well as the one with octogenarian fans. 

My friend held a goodbye party recently, before she went to Melbourne to get ready for Uni. Bowls and Beer was the game, and it was time to show our skills. Unfortunately, that didn't happen too well. My first bowl banked and everyone's bowls were scattered everywhere across the green. One actually managed to stop on a parallel lane's standing mat. We were naturals I tell you. It is actually pretty fun to play, and it didn't hurt to have booze or the glorification of the sport by Mick Molloy's "Crackerjack". As expected, we were the youngest group by about 20 years at least, but I believe this is an underrated game by our generation. A lot of fun for a decent price and can get many people to play.

Yesterday, I went Ten Pin Bowling at North Strathfield AMF. I have to say, I have a soft spot for this game, even though I'm pretty shit at it, it's awesome. Gutter balls, Strikes and flukes are a few ways to describe how we played. We had a look at other people's scoring screen, and we were the only ones to have nicknames. Instead of being sensible writing Lloyd or Jenny like the lane next to us, we had Aid1, Papa, BigB and Akong. Oh so gangsta, AMF didn't see it coming! We also played pool afterwards, again, a great game to play. Last time we bet 2 bunches of Mee Goreng noodles, just because we're such high rollers. I'm yet to get this still, but I'm sure the Pro G driver that owe's me and Bouzo will get it soon. =) . Mee Goreng, the golden prize.