Oh, Common. How the mighty have fallen… off.

OK…

Y’all may have been fine about the last post… Maybe not so much with this one. I don’t know how I feel about that, but that’s another post altogether. I’m going to give my opinion anyway, because, after all, that’s what I do.

I don’t understand what in thee sweet and sour fcuk Common is doing right now. I just don’t. Can one of you PLEASE explain???

On the very day we were graced with the presence of Li’l Princess Blue Ivy, my Twitter timeline was all abuzz (besides all the baby news) of a beef-a-broiling between Common Sense and… *cough* …Drake.

I was pissed. I immediately thought the young bull had got at Common in some sort of parallel universe where monotone crooning in a staccato fashion is somehow referred to as emceeing (which I have always known Common to do even with follies along the way as everyone with a long career has had).

But that’s because quite frankly, I hadn’t really LISTENED to his most recent effort, The Dreamer/The Believer. Sure, I have HEARD the album but I honestly have conditioned myself to not listen to lyrics and just hear the beat. SMH. I blame Li’l Wayne and that fiasco Li’l B… Pretty much ANY RAPPER whose name begins with Li’l over the age of 10, but that’s another post too…

So that day I went avidly searching for the song that started it all, Sweet... I found the video on YouTube…

My eyes cried. My ears bled. WTF WAS THIS MESS???

Now, I’ll admit I haven’t been up on my Hip-Hop Beef in the past few months. I’ve been busy doing real life things so I apologize… But I was THOROUGHLY insulted by the sham that Common paraded in front of me calling it Hip Hop.

You didn’t look “hard” or “gangsta” Common. Not at all. Now let’s be clear, I’m well aware that Com Sense didn’t start his career as the über conscious emcee we have become accustomed to, and that’s duly noted. However, that is the catch 22 of Hip Hop – growing up, maturing and branching out while still somehow remaining relevant enough to be backed by your label with as much marketing fire-power as they can muster. You have to remain viable among all the “Li’l” dudes and dudettes… Read more »

Posted: January 14th, 2012 under famous foolishness, Musicology, WWTFeezleen? - 0 Comments. Tags: beef, Common, Common Sense, Drake, French Montana, hip hop, Hip Hop Beef, Maybach Music, new music, Rick Ross

Did Beyonce have YOUR baby?

"Are you not entertained???"

Y’all already know how I feel about Jay-Z and Beyonce. I’m not even gonna start in on that part of this convo because I can’t deal with the STANS all up in my inbox, all up in my Twitter mentions, all up in my whole entire life…

Before y’all start throwing around “baby hater” accusations, let me be clear. My issue is not with the little bundle of money joy they just had. I truly pray for them to be good parents, able to raise their child to be very level-headed, kind and intelligent despite the fame and infamy she was born into. Little Princes Blue Ivy Carter is the Kizzy (see: Roots, uninformed folk in the shadows and under rocks…) of the Black entertainment machine now and that’s pretty awesome, I guess… *shrug*

Where I take the most umbrage is with the STANS.

Shit. There goes my hopes of not being bombarded with STANISM in my interweb world…

Seriously, I just wanna know: WHY does this baby mean SO MUCH to YOU??? I get it… “Beyonce-is-a-great-artist-who-can-do-no-wrong-just-like-her-husband-Jay-Z-so-therefore-anything-connected-to-them-most-especially-their-offspring-is-destined-to-be-our-savior-forever-and-ever-amen-blah-blah-blah…”

Please. Save it.

I have never been, and will never BE, a STAN. I have too much awesomeness going on in my world to be so enthralled with the birth of another negro’s child that isn’t mine or born somewhere within the confines of my illustrious bloodline. Hell, 90% of the STANS have their OWN children they don’t give two sweet and sour fcuks about but will lose their damn minds over someone who knows nothing about them (nor do they CARE) having a baby… Again, what is the logic???

There are far more important things to concern yourself with… But no. BeyJay had a baby. THAT is the all consuming news of the day. But your baby got 3 F’s in school and you still sit that little ninja in front of the TV every night or let them play Playstation until they OD and it’s all good, right??? Got your little girls shakin’ their booties to “Single Ladies” and your son can quote Jay-Z word for friggin WORD but can’t do his homework…

Please. Save it.

And NOW y’all are all up an THROUGH the interwebs with “news” that Jay-Z made a song about his 10-minute-old baby. Whatever. This is the most TRANSPARENT publicity stunt in forever and y’all are eating it thee fcuk up. Go write YOUR baby a song. Then we’ll talk. Where is the song about his son? There isn’t one? Oh. My bad. Poor little Blue Ivy Carter. That therapy bill is gonna be a MESS.

But you know… Carry on with your madness. There is absolutely nothing wrong with connecting with your favorite artists when you are being ENTERTAINED by them. But come on. They had a baby. Good for THEM. Now go sit YOUR ass down with your own damn kids and stop it. Your ignance is most certainly showing.

Posted: January 9th, 2012 under famous foolishness, I'm Feeling Ranty..., Musicology - 0 Comments. Tags: babies, BeyJay, Beyonce, births, Blue Ivy Carter, Jay-Z, Kizzy, rant, Roots, Stans

Looking at 2011 in the rear-view…

It’s that time again…

Time for rapper Mad Skillz out of VA to bring us his much-anticipated version of the wrap-up of the previous year, his annual Rap Up song. He’s been at it for years and it’s long been a jewel that we in the Hip Hop community await as an unofficial beginning to the year ahead. You can download the song from iTunes and rock out to it for the next 364 days (it’s a Leap Year, remember?)

Also jumping into the Rap-Up fray this year is Bekay, a Slaughterhouse member and generally wild-out white rapper… His version touched on many of the same subjects as Skillz  (Anthony Weiner, Casey Anthony, Penn State) including just a bit more elaboration on a few others…

I am definitely feeling Skillz version better, although Bekay’s version pointed out to me the lack of clever turns of phrase in Skills’ version… I dunno, I hear there are even more 2011 Rap-Up knock-offs out there so I guess time will tell who’s really is better. Being as though Skills is the father of the year in review rhymes, though, I doubt he’ll be unseated in the next 53 weeks… (it’s a Leap Year, remember???)

Download Skillz’s version on iTunes…

Bekay – 2011 Year In Review – download the mp3 here.

So… There you have it… Who do you think gave us the best Rap Up?

Posted: January 2nd, 2012 under Musicology - 0 Comments. Tags: 2012, Bekay, hip hop, Mad Skillz, music, Slaughterhouse, Year End Rap Up

Happy New You!

Welcome to 2012!

Welcome to The New You!

I have taken to using the new year greeting Happy New You over the last few years because I feel it is so fitting of what the change of the year SHOULD be about, bettering yourself and becoming a happier new you.

In the last few years we’ve seen so many things that we never thought we would: Barack Obama as the first Black President of the U.S., the tsunami in Japan, the tragic events on the Gulf Coast, Casey Anthony, Jerry Sandusky,  the death of Michael Jackson, the death of Steve Jobs, earthquakes in Haiti, Asia and even in Philadelphia, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods…

In the midst of all these things, I wonder how many of us really pay attention to how what we do affects life around us. The Butterfly Effect.  When I think of how that relates to everything we’ve seen over the last few years, it seems simple to me how all of this is connected; each action creating another action.

Becoming a better person isn’t just about the usual “resolutions” people make when 12AM hits. I am a firm believer in setting real, attainable goals instead of fleeting, grand gestures that are often out of reach. I think it’s about the smaller things; laughing more, being a better listener, getting closer to your family and friends, giving more time and resources to charity, becoming a mentor, volunteering in your community…

Read more »

Posted: January 2nd, 2012 under Bleu's Blues... - 0 Comments. Tags: 2012, 2012 goals, advice, goals, Happy New Year, Happy New You, life, resolutions

Diva’s World Live returns!!!

Hey hey heeeeeeey!!!

The Diva’s World Live podcast (formerly WWTF Radio) will be returning to the fans Monday, October 17, 2011 at 9:15PM!!!

I have changed sites, and I will now be broadcasting from a site called Talkshoe.  The move comes because Talkshoe offers more features for being able to reach you guys and you know, as I say all the time, there is NO DIVA BLEU WITHOUT YOU!

Please make sure you tune in, it’s gonna be an AWESOME show!!! Special guests and a great conversation… The first topics we will discuss?

• The MJ trial
• The return of DMX
• The Occupy movement

…and a whole lot more!!!

Thanks for all of your support, luvies!!!

Posted: October 16th, 2011 under Diva's World updates, For My V.I.P.'s, get Divafied!!! - 0 Comments. Tags: Diva's World, podcast, Talkshoe, talkshow

The Great East Coast #Shakedown… 2011 Edition!!!

Look up, Philly! God's still up there...

sooooo…

there was an earthquake (or more accurately a tremor) in Philly today… personally, i was a little frightened… not particularly scared, because i thoroughly believe if it was my time to go, i’d be gone whether by the walls caving in on me, or choking on my bacon egg and cheese (which also hapened to me this morning… go figure). i do find it odd that i was nauseous for the better part of the morning, and that i felt weird all day until the earth moved under my feet, but it is what it is. no conspiracy theories here…

i did watch a coworker lose her grits over the whole thing, but having file cabinets bang and march toward you will do that to a person. i was also berated by my boss because i was trying to save my cell phone and my wallet as i left, but eff that. if i was to become trapped under ANYTHING, inside or outside that wretched building, a connection to the outside world and identifying information was something i found important to have on my person. sue me.

all that to say, i’m finding the reactions i’ve seen around the ol’ interweb quite interesting. some Cali cats are comparing our confusion and fear to that of total imbeciles because we don’t live our lives having earthquake drills every day until we’re 45. yet others are starting to believe that the rapture really did come in May and we’re just the left-behind losers that God dislikes. meh. you’re all a bunch of jokers if you think either way, in my not-so-humble opinion. Read more »

Posted: August 23rd, 2011 under Bleu's Blues..., Philly Luv, What's Goin On? - 0 Comments. Tags: Canada, Colorado, earthquake, East Coast earthquake, Mineral, PA, Philadelphia, VA

An Open Letter to My Black Brothers… (As inspired by Nova Giovanni)

Dear Brothers,

It’s been a while since I’ve had the pleasure of addressing you and opening the special space I have reserved for you.  There are many reasons why, and I will address some of those at this moment.  I have words I need to speak to your heart. Pay attention, please…

First, I must say that you are an exquisite being, just based on the intelligent design of your essence.  Your strength, resilience, the way you move? Pure poetry in motion. The variety of flavors in which you exist, coupled with the swagger of your persona delight the senses and cause pandemonium where your very footsteps trod.  Sisters swoon at the very idea of you…

That is, when we are confronted with a Brother who is truly together; self-assured, well-groomed, respectful and motivated to be his best.  You come from a long line of very eloquent, passionate, powerful men; I just wish that more of that was being expressed in the world you inhabit.

Herein lies some the problem, my awe-inspiring Brothers…  So many of you are treating your essence as if it is not the very foundation of society and civilization!  Quite a few our young Brothers have become disenfranchised and choose to disrespect themselves.  The words they allow to leave their lips are full of disdain and questioning without even allowing themselves to find the true answers.  And my question is WHO is challenging these brilliant minds to elevate past their anger and inquisition to find the truth and power in their questioning?  Where are those truly fantastic Brothers out there with the experience and knowledge to lead these diamonds in the rough to the polish they deserve?

I am not one of those sisters who takes the time to bash my Brothers when I KNOW there MANY of you out there who are doing all that is right and very little of what is wrong; however, I see so much being wasted.  So many young Brothers out in this world without guidance; mentors, teachers, fathers IN the home that they can truly look up to, respect and LEARN from…

My Brothers, your Sisters need you to step up royally (as is befitting of any King).  I say this as so many of Sisters and Brothers are still struggling to raise OUR children alone (my letter to the Sisters is coming, never fret).  I say this as your daughters are looking for YOUR love in all the WRONG places.

For the men who are in the lives of their children and those in their communities daily, I thank you. But I also challenge you (as any Queen will do, in the interest of elevating you to your highest level) to do more for those ADULT men in  your circles who are not stepping up.  It is not enough to sit idle while your own Brothers, friends and your male peers are not living up to their own potential.  Start a discussion on the basketball court, after the gym, or just a men’s night out in which you address the fact that so many of you are not working for the uplifting of all of us.  We need ALL of you in order to make this village work.  The truth is, there is as much love in the constructive criticism as there is in the praise, if not more.  That is precisely what this letter is all about.

Much respect, much love and much elevation,

Diva Bleu

*PS: This post was partially inspired by the blog post “Dear Sister: An Open Letter To The Black Woman by Nova Giovanni.”  Thank you for the inspiration Brother.  I hope you stop by and show some love… 

Peace and Blessings…

Posted: August 16th, 2011 under Ask a Diva... - 0 Comments. Tags: advice, Black America, Brothers, education, inspiration, love, open letter

Return of a Jedi…

yes.

young padawan…

I’M BAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!

it has been QUITE a while since i last updated, and yes, it was painful to leave you all for so long. But never fear, I haven’t been resting on my laurels, luvies.

sooooo… BTR has made it increasingly difficult to host my podcast there at the moment, so I am taking it to another site and will be back to airing my opinions to the masses very soon… hopefully next week will be the first OFFICIAL broadcast of my NEW podcast… Diva’s World Live! i’m extra excited and i’m looking for people to interview and whatnot so be sure to send me an email!

i will be posting more about it as the launch date gets close so STAY TUNED…

Posted: April 15th, 2011 under Diva's World updates, For My V.I.P.'s - 0 Comments. Tags: Diva's World, Diva's World Live, podcast, WWTF Radio

Wow. Is Sarah Palin running the American Taliban?

this should ruffle some conservative, extremist moose fur, and i don’t care at all.

i believe that what the Tea Party will ultimately fester into, if gone unchecked, will resemble something like an American version of the Taliban. think about it, the Taliban was born out of smoldering rhetoric and hateful behaviors leveled at not only government corruption and infighting, but at entire groups of people in society and different races in that society as well.

now, take a look at the similarities that i see and tell me if you see what is spelled out in plain english:

• according to cbsnews.com, in March of 2010, Sarah Palin released a list of “targets” (members of the House who voted for Obamacare) on her Facebook page no less, with a graphic depicting the areas said members could be found complete with ACTUAL target symbols.

• among those included on the list were targeted Democrats: Ann Kirkpatrick (Arizona), Harry E. Mitchell (Arizona), Gabrielle Giffords (Arizona), Read more »

Posted: January 9th, 2011 under politickin' - 0 Comments. Tags: Arizona shooting, extremism, Gabrielle Giffords, God and guns, Jared Lee Loughner, Obamacare, politics, Sarah Palin, Taliban, Tea Party movement, TeaBaggers

ok. i SAID this, but no one listens 2 female sports fans…

ahhhhh.

Michael Vick.

the best QB this week? of COURSE!

the best QB of the season? duh!!!

MVP???

well… what do you think???

see, since the drafting of Vick to the Eagles, I have been saying that he would be the one to lead us, not Kolb.

but no one seems to listen to female sports fans. especially crazed ones who eat sleep and BREATHE their local sports teams. at least that seems to be the case when i put my two cents out there. just like when i predicted, during the PRESEASON of his rookie year, that DeSean Jackson (my Fantasy Football Husband™ team pick of the year) would be the most explosive player on the team, much less the league…

but no one seems to listen to female sports fans. not even ones with obsessive tendencies toward choosing the best, brightest (and most attractive) players…

maybe it’s because my Fantasy Football Husband™ team is just so damn sexy this year… or maybe it was the STELLAR performance that Vick has shown this season, boasting a 150.7 pass rating on Monday night, becoming the first player in NFL history to have 300+ passing yards, 50+ rushing yards, 4+ passing TDs & 2+ rushing TDs leading him to more fantasy points than any player since the AFL/NFL merger AND having not thrown an interception in 166 throws, 21 shy of Donovan McNabb’s 187 throw streak when he was an Eagle…

but no one seems to listen to female sports fans. especially ones that are right.

whatever it is, in light of McNabb’s $78M contract fiasco (let’s face it, he won’t see that $40M because he will most likely get cut from the Redskins after this season ends if he doesn’t produce a playoff run) the REAL question is… will Jeffrey Lurie show him the money? somebody get Jerry Maguire’s number for that man, STAT.

Posted: November 17th, 2010 under i came 2 play the game, Philly Luv - 0 Comments. Tags: contract, DeSean Jackson, Donovan McNabb, football, Michael Vick, Mike Vick, MVP, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins