Devil In A New Dress

It's been about three months since I've written a post. What better way to come back then by writing about the best invention that you don't know about: TouchTunes. Yes. TouchTunes. The jukebox that has a variety of music and that I spend more money on than I do buying drinks. You may not know about TouchTunes, but have probably passed by one, not knowing it was there. I have been to a lot of places where no one is even playing music from the thing until I show up. It's usually hidden in a corner and no one sees it until some drunk guy stumbles over to it trying to play Uncle Kracker or some random country song.  But I still haven't told you the best part about TouchTunes. There's an app. Yes. An app. Play all the music you want without leaving your barstool and by the click of a button on your smartphone. This provides an endless amount of entertainment when you hit play next and play a hip hop song and continue to bother the drunk guy waiting to hear ...

Most hip hop fans would agree that hip hop and rap music get a bad rap. Ever since popularity rose in the early 90’s, people took offense to the derogatory language, anti-police views, and misogynistic references. Explicit warning labels became popular in the hip hop world to ‘warn’ people about what they were about to expose their ears to. Hip hop music and rap became popular to people who came from a lower class and urban environment. The music was real and talked about what was going on in the streets, stripped of the bubble gum packaging that covered most of the pop music favorites of the decade like New Kids On The Block. Music is a reflection of the time which can be said about all genres. In the late 80’s and early 90’s, it was finally being exposed that racism was still prevalent and strong in the United States. The police brutality against Rodney King in 1991 sparked a fire in many people and when the officers who committed the acts were acquitted, the Los Angeles Riots...

There are not many moments in life where you can remember the first time you heard a particular artist or musician and knew you were a fan immediately. In the late summer of 2011, I remember the moment I first heard Kendrick Lamar. My brother had just burned me The Game's R.E.D. Album and I was listening to the intro. The second track, "The City" came on and I was already blown away by the melodic, soulful beat accompanied by the female vocals that sounded like a gospel followed by The Game's verse. And then I heard Kendrick Lamar.  At that moment, I knew Kendrick Lamar was unlike anyone I had ever heard before. His voice is raspy, lyrics are poetic, and he raps in a way where he builds up by getting more and more aggressive almost as if he's telling a story and building to the climax with his flow. And then the outro. Oh my god. I immediately downloaded his album Overly Dedicated on iTunes for $6.99 and was impressed at his true, lyrical talent. It's...

My Throwback Thursday song for the night is "Get By" by Talib Kweli. This has always been one of my favorite rap songs. Not just because it has a great sound, but the I love the message. For anyone who has struggled for anything, you can relate to this song. Kweli murders his lyrics and the result is an inspirational song.  " This morning, I woke up Feeling brand new, I jumped up Feeling my highs and my lows In my soul and my goals Just to stop smoking and stop drinking I've been thinking, I've got my reasons Just to get by, just to get by Just to get by, just to get by"

What is "Devil In A New Dress?"  Devil In A New Dress is about looking at something not just for what it is, but what it could be. When it comes to fashion, you can look at an item of clothing and wonder 'what would I wear this with?' The question isn't about looking at the item individually, but rather how it could be thrown together with the right accessories, shoes, or jacket and instantly make an ensemble flow. It's about looking at old styles and adding some modern flare. It's about opening your mind to new possibilities that are edgy and break the rules while making the new ones up as you go along.  "Devil In A New Dress" is a song by Kanye West who is my favorite artist. In the song he raps,  "Put your hands to the constellations, The way you look should be a sin, you my sensation I know I'm preaching to the congregation We love Jesus but you done learned a lot from Satan" This is  what Devil In A New ...