EAST COAST CRITICS ARE BIASED: A THOROUGH TAKE ON HIP-HOP, POLITICS, AND POPULAR CULTURE
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Guess Who's Almost Back?
So, to all of those out there who remember when this blog was functional, I'm letting you know that it will be up and running again in about two weeks. I do apologize for robbing everyone of my weekly presence (everyone that gave a shit anyway). Simply put, this year has been the most mentally challenging year of my life. I tell you now, if Delta's would put their recruits (i.e. pledges) through half of the shit that I experienced this year, there would be a lot less red-jacket wearing Black women in the world throwing up Tha Roc in every fucking photo they take.
As of this upcoming Thursday, my mental hell will end (until it starts back up again in August). I'm taking a much-needed island vacation next week with the person who's been by my side throughout this entire process. When I get back to The States, I'm headed back to The D to kick it with family and complete an internship (thanks for that connection Donnie). I don't know what it is about Detroit, but whenever I'm there, my writing hits another level. For all those that don't know, check out everything I put down on this site from May '06 to August '06. I know I'm redundant on this, but, I still can't believe I thought that shit up half the time....
Anyway, I hope everyone else is geared up for the Summer of '07 as well. Particularly, to all my people in The D, you know the 2007 Chene Park Concert Series schedule is up; I've gone ahead and posted it at the bottom for you. You can catch me under the pavilion June 20 for Norman Brown's Summer Storm, July 11 for Najee, August 1 for Pieces of a Dream, and August 3 for Ms. Badu. Many of the other dates you can catch me right outside the pavilion on The River, copping a listen for free like so many of my other people; but hey, at least I'll get some free ribs from one of the 2,500 ghetto ass picnics that are carrying on out there....
In fact, since I cited to the gas prices as the reason why my supervising attorney should give me every other Friday off this summer, let me know what's good in your locality for this upcoming summer. If you're talking right, you might just see my ass out that way one weekend. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to all of the comments--positive and hate-mail oriented--that I always receive from you. This will definitely be a good summer. Stay up everybody. Peace....
2007 Chene Park Summer Concert Series Schedule:
Summer Storm - Norman Brown, Peabo Bryson, Marion Meadows and Jeff Lorber Wednesday, June 20, 2007. 8:00 PM. Chene Park Amphitheater $15 Pavilion / $10 Lawn Jill Scott - Thursday, June 21, 2007. 8:00 PM. Chene Park Amphitheater $65 $45 Pavilion / $20 Lawn BET presents One Night with Ne-Yo - Friday, June 22, 2007. 8:00 PM. Chene Park Amphitheater $40 $30 Pavilion / $20 Lawn 1st Annual Detroit Blues Festival- Sir Charles, Willie Clayton, Clarence Carter, Denise Lasalle and Mel Waiters Saturday, June 23, 2007. 8:00 PM. Chene Park Amphitheater Tickets start at $10 The Official SEAN JOHN ULTIMATE WHITE PARTY - SEAN JOHN ARTIST TBA Sunday, June 24, 2007. 8:00 PM.Chene Park AmphitheaterLimited $75 Advance VIP Pavilion : Limited $30 Pavilion: Private VIP Cabana Tents available Guy, Tony! Toni! Tone! and SWV- Friday, June 29, 2007. 8:00 PM. Chene Park Amphitheater $55 $35 Pavilion / $17 Lawn Eddie Griffin, Lavell Crawford, Sommore and COCO - Friday, July 6, 2007. 8:00 PM. Chene Park Amphitheater $55 $35 Pavilion / $17 Lawn Najee and Howard Hewett - Wednesday, July 11, 2007. 8:00 PM. Chene Park Amphitheater $15 Pavilion / $10 Lawn Musiq Soulchild and Raheem Devaughn - Friday, July 13, 2007. 8:00 PM. Chene Park Amphitheater $55 $35 Pavilion / $17 Lawn Jazz Fusion - Roy Ayers, Jon Lucien, Lonnie Liston Smith, Wayne Henderson, Jean Carne, Ray GaskinsWednesday, July 18, 2007. 8:00 PM. Chene Park Amphitheater $15 Pavilion / $10 Lawn Average White Band and Larry Lee and The Back In The day Band - Wednesday, July 25, 2007. 8:00 PM. Chene Park Amphitheater $15 Pavilion / $10 Lawn Kenny G. LIVE - Thursday, July 26, 2007. 8:00 PM. Chene Park Amphitheater $55 $35 Pavilion / $17 Lawn Cameo, Morris Day & The Time and Sinbad - Friday, July 27, 2007. 8:00 PM. Chene Park Amphitheater $55 $35 Pavilion / $17 Lawn Michael Franks and Alex Bugnons - Saturday, July 28, 2007. 8:00 PM. Chene Park Amphitheater $55 $35 Pavilion / $20 Lawn Pieces Of A Dream and Walter Beasley - Wednesday, August 1, 2007. 8:00 PM. Chene Park Amphitheater $15 Pavilion / $10 Lawn Erykah Badu and Lyfe Jennings - Friday, August 3, 2007. 8:00 PM. Chene Park Amphitheater $60 $35 Pavilion / $20 Lawn Maysa and Loose Ends - Wednesday, August 8, 2007. 8:00 PM. Chene Park Amphitheater $15 Pavilion / $10 Lawn KEM & Friends featuring special guest CHAKA KHAN - Saturday, August 11, 2007. 8:00 PM. Chene Park Amphitheater $125 Pit Seats, $75 Lower Pavilion, $65 $55 $45 $35 Upper Pavilion / $22 Lawn
What you know bout those concerts your plan on attending. Leave the grown folks music to grown folks!
Dayum. . .That is a NICE summer series coming up, I might have to get on a plane and head out there for a blockbuster night, considering I've never been there.
Glad to see you back, have a spectacular much deserved vacation, by the way. . .
Lol!!! Come on P, why do you think I've only kicked it with two females that were younger than me in my entire life? Sidenote: Both of those instances were disasters...They'd check a Nas concert with me, but don't try and get their Baby Phat wearing asses to give Maze and Frankie Beverly a chance on a Saturday night....
Like the old saying goes, I guess I like my women (and concert events for that matter) the same as I do my wine...Speaking of which, you might just catch me out at that notorious Long Beach Jazz Festival later this summer chillin' with my usual glass of Yellowtail; maybe get a chance to see how you West Coast dwellers throw down. Holla....
Here I am back to tell you and other viewers about a new website I happened across and you have a post that I have to read. Can I put you on my list of websites, bruh? Can I be down? lol
Anyway, there are actually two websites by the same gentleman that I was coming in to post. They are www.blackelectorate.com and www.blackcoffeechannel.com. I think that you will enjoy them. On black coffee, check out the "Self Music"...aww man! Not to say that all of the content will be agreeable, but it is definitely something worth checking out.
What in the world is the D doing this summer? I know now that this is going to be another travel-challenged season, but how can one not resist picking at least ONE weekend to check out this Chene(-ne, lol...couldn't resist) Park.
Easy man, just found your blog via BC dot C... liking it, I'm gonna stick you on my links.
If you've got time, check the following link - an article by UK rapper Yungun for the Commision for Racial Equality. He's in law too so you might appreciate his perspective.
Name: Phil E-Mail: Philh826@aol.com Location: New York, New York About Me: My roots in Detroit, MI, I possess a dual degree in Criminal Justice/Sociology from Georgia State University in Atlanta, and will be adding a law degree to those credentials this upcoming May in an attempt to help our young brothers and sisters who continue to get caught up in the bullshit of our criminal justice system. I just so happen to detest 99% of all New York Hip-Hop critics; you know, the ones who start shit by generalizing YOUR particular cultural situation knowing good and damn well that most of these fools haven't set foot in all five boroughs, let alone your locality. Nevertheless, through their ethnocentrism, they somehow corral the arrogance to tell you why their lives, regional culture, and musical tastes are superior to yours. Shiiiit. Born in L.A., I've lived in Detroit, ATL, NYC, (a temporary stint) in DC, and have managed to step foot on four continents. There is no way in hell that I could take one more "intellectual" NYC Hip-Hop critic trying to stunt on me with their baseless "sophisticated and cosmopolitan" views. In recognition of my irritations, I bestowed upon the world this blog. Peace...
You know I check on you periodically. It will be refreshing - and nice to see you back.
And the girl. . .Gorgeous. A keeper.
Best wishes to you both. . .
Miss P