Should I Hate It or Love It

Now we've all come across songs that we love and hate. And that's probably because we love the beats, but hate the underlying themes and lyrics. Yes, most music out there today probably has no substance, and that's what the popular has come to accept and love. So when I come across an artist with a great story nowadays I appreciate that rawness, but I do digress.

Many times, I'm guilty loving songs that have no substance, but I'm fine with it. One example is Lady Gaga's album, Fame, where the theme here is just about having fun and partying, and I just love to jam to it. But I do have problems when the lyrics are derogatory, i.e. Yin Yang Twins' song, "Get Low."

So I've come to hear an R. Kelly song, and the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear R. Kelly is either R&B singer and/or pedophile (it's true, don't deny it.) So earlier I heard a banging beat that's great to go out to (and I love music like that) but then I heard something about being Superman high, and it just disgusts me when I listen to the lyrics. Lo and behold it will surprise you, it's R. Kelly's new song, which is more like club rap than his usual R&B hits.

So check it out, R. Kelly's "Superman High," do you love it or hate it??


R. Kelly ft. OJ Da Juiceman - Superman High

FM x Epik High

Far East Movement announces: Verizon Wireless presents "Map the Soul," a 4 city tour.

Now why would they go and do that? Well, they'll be on the tour, of course, along with Epik High (group from Korea). For more information about the tour and where FM's going to be, check it out at http://www.fareastmovement.com/st/epik-highfm-tour/

Inked Souls Update and Exhale tonight

One more day until Inked Souls (in Crystal City) and tonight will be a spoken word competition in Downtown Bethesda. It's going to be amazing!!!

Not only will The Document, DJ LIL'e, Big Benz, and other artists be out at Inked Souls tomorrow night, Tabi Bonney and DJ Heavy Grinder will make guest appearances and perform. ^_^ Also one thing I forgot to mention, bring a T-shirt and Truth among Liars will silk screen your tee from a couple designs, just for you!!!

And if you don't want the night to be over, Inked Souls afterparty will be at Mackey's Pub (320 South 23rd St, Arlington, VA), doors opening at midnight.

Now if you want to get your weekend started tonight with a chiller vibe, check out a Poetry Slam competition at the Washington School of Photography (4850 Rugby Ave, Bethesda, MD) at 8pm. It's part of the Bethesda Literary Festival and I believe this event is best suited for a mature audience. If you're not familiar with a poetry slam, you should definitely experience it and get your mind blown out of the gutters.

Inked Souls, good for you like chicken soup

Art Whino x Tagür x Crystal City = Inked Souls

If you're in DC and looking for something to do this Saturday, April 18th, check out Inked Souls' opening night from 6pm to 12am (midnight) in crystal City. Art Whino is teaming up with Tagür sneakers to exhibit customized sneakers, photography, and canvas art for Inked Souls this year. Opening night will feature The Document (break dance art performance), Big Benz (TTM Entertainment), and DJ LIL'e (Black Cat's resident DJ).

If you end up missing the opening night, don't worry about it. Inked Souls will run until May 9th at 2450 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA (metro accessible.) The gallery hours are Friday, 4-8pm, and Saturday, 12-6pm. And don't forget to check Art Whino's own gallery out in the National Harbor (173 Waterfront St., Oxon Hill, MD. All FREE & open to the PUBLIC!!

Kid Cudi, Say it isn't so

I remember first hearing Day n' Nite earlier this year when I visited home back in Tampa, and I thought it would take another couple months (or maybe longer) before I heard Kid Cudi's song in DC. Boy was I wrong. Over the weekend, I hung out with my buddies at Lucky Bar and in the middle of all the old school (80s pop and hip-hop), top pop, dirty south, and new rap, and then I hear, "it's day n' nite..." Oh snap, Kid Cudi has blown up all over now, especially if I hear it in DC. Mad props to the DJ that night who played the song.

Now if you didn't know at the end of March, Crate Kings informed their readers Kid Cudi was looking for beat makers, accepting open submissions for possible new tracks for his new album. But is it out the door now? To those who have already e-mailed him, no, but it sounds like you can't send any new e-mails anymore. Apparently his inbox is packed to the max with beats, so for all those who are too late to respond, oh well. You snooze, you lose. Better luck next time.

No Doubt New Music

Summer reminds me of citrus/tropical fruits, sunshine, ocean and music festivals. Like that lil' intro, don't ya? Well, if you haven't heard yet, No Doubt is back together again to do a huge summer tour, and guess who's excited? ME!!! A couple months ago, I already bought my Gen. Admission Pit tickets for their June 14th Nissan Live Nation concert in DC/VA. I also can't wait until the month before the concert where I'll get my code to download all of the No Doubt songs ever made. =) Honestly I didn't think this day would ever come, especially since they have been on hiatus for awhile. But it seems like they're working on a new album while they're on tour. Heard a leak for one of their new songs, Stand and Deliver, and it is so catchy. It definitely has that Orange County, Cali vibe I've always liked. Check it out, if it stays up for long, no guarantee.

No Doubt - Stand and Deliver

Lady Gaga, Flo Rida and Wu Tang Clan in the DMV

If you haven't heard yet, Lady Gaga is coming to DC and Flo Rida and Wu Tang Clan are coming to Montgomery County, MD this weekend.

Today (4/2/09), I heard on Hot 99.5 that Flo Rida is coming to Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville tonight at 7pm. He has teamed up with Hot 99.5's the Kane Show to raise awareness and money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society by hosting a basketball charity game. Flo Rida will be coaching a team and the basketball game will take place tonight at Richard Montgomery High School (250 Richard Montgomery Dr, Rockville, MD) and open to the public with a $5 donation. Visit Hot 99.5 for more details.

Also tonight, Lady Gaga was supposed to perform and party to a sold out show at the 9:30 Club (815 V St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001) tonight, but it seems like Hot 99.5 has postponed the show (rain-date TBD). Perhaps it's because Hot 99.5 recently found out today that Flo Rida and LLS is honoring the Kane Show at the basketball charity tonight. Let's hope that's not the case for Lady Gaga.

Now Friday (4/3/09) will be surprising for my friends back home. I saw a commercial the other day for Wu Tang Clan tickets in Gaithersburg, MD. Yup, that's right, Gai..thers..burg at 8pm. Ghostface Killah, Cappadona, Inspectah Deck and Wood aka Colt Seavers with WuTang DJ Mathematics will be performing live at the End Zone (317 Diamond Ave, Gaithersburg, MD). Doors open at 8pm, tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door. Since I saw it awhile ago, there's a 50/50 chance it may be sold out.

If you don't check out any of the acts while you're in DC this weekend, at least enjoy the cherry blossoms, especially since they're in peak bloom now.

Peace.