Do Urban Music Genres Really Throw Away Their Artists After A Certain Age?

Lupe Fiasco Breaks Down Over the 'Ghosts' From His Block

Get More: Lupe Fiasco, Music News

(video compliments of MTV) I wanted to share this video because of the gravity in what is being said and because of the respect I have for Lupe Fiasco as an artist.

Is That So, Drake...?

So, this weekend, while enjoying the Olympics and perusing the Internet, I ran across an article with the headline that stated, "Drake Says He's The First Person To Successfully Rap and Sing".  The statement Drake made was during an interview he conducted with The Jewish Chronicle.  That being the source of such careless verbiage, I decided to start there to confirm its authenticity.

"There were people who incorporated melody before me, but I would deem myself the first person to successfully rap and sing."  Hold tha phone!!! You mean he ACTUALLY did make that statement?  Dear Mr. Aubrey Drake Graham, allow me to inform you that Hip Hop did not begin with you...

While you were doing this  Hip Hop was alive and well.

Even long before you looked like this    Hip Hop had long been in existence and was thriving as a music form and culture.  You need not think that you were the first to "successfully rap and sing".  As if...

I mean really...has Drake never heard of Lauryn Hill?  I mean she was with the Fugees in the early 90s, at least Aubrey was old enough by then to know that she was rapping and singing successfully then!

Definitely by the time Lauryn went solo and released "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill", she had garnered a highly successful career of what...? Singing and rapping...

Okay...well maybe Aubry didn't listen to female entertainers.  So what about another early 90s male group, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony? 

BTH's first EP had this mysterious style included in it.... What was that? Singing and rapping, of course!

I don't know if Drake ever heard of either of these artists or he just didn't think they were successful at the whole singing and rapping thing, but I would suggest he do some Hip Hop 101 before he does his next interview so he doesn't come across as someone completely unaware of the history of the culture.

Oh yea....just for good measure, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that, aside from the two I mentioned, there were a slew of other Hip Hop artists that successfully blended singing and rapping; JaRule, DMX and Biz Markie being a part of that slew.

All in all, Drake, though you may feel like you are Hip Hop, Hip Hop was not birthed when your career began.   

Feet 1st Sexy for Summer

Like most women, I consider myself a shoe connoisseur.  Also like most women, I am very picky about the shoes I wear and how they look and feel on my feet.

Because of my own personal style, I don't care too much for the shoe selections many of the fashion articles have said are in.  Personally, I think they have an agreement with shoe designers to push certain styles onto consumers and leave the consumer thinking they are the "must-haves" to their shoe collection.

Well I have no agreements and am receiving no advertising money from the shoes I will post here, but I'm open to that should any of the designers decide they want to do some business =;^)


The Introduction

Introducing the L.A.M.B. Apollo pump

Does this shoe not just scream, "SEXXXXXAY!!!!"  I personally love a cute shoe with a simple ankle strap.  I have ample calves and ankle straps always make for a sexy addition to sexy calves.  

This shoe comes in black and beige, but for summer, I'd stick to the beige.  It is a great shoe to wear for those summer white parties and add a perfect splash of color to break up all that white.

My additional suggestion would be for you to make sure the feet are properly pedicured and lotioned.  Though it's only a peep-toe pump, you don't want your heels to look like shedding their winter layer.  Lotion those babies well and invest in some Heel-to-Toe for those that have a problem keeping the feet moisturized.  Summer can be brutal on your feet if you already suffer from scale-foot syndrome.  I personally always get a pedicure to keep the tootsies in top form.  Even during the winter, don't hesitate to pay your favorite spa a visit.  I also make it a point to take time after a shower or bath to properly lavish my skin in lotion paying special attention to the feet and toes.  

Meet Matiko Ankle Sandal

Whether you wear some cute shorts or a wind-embracing summer dress, these sandals will be a great addition to your 'fit.  

What I like most about these sandals is the two-tone color and the over-the-foot accent.  Though I'm not a big fan of the heel, I think I can get over it because, you guessed it....the ankle strap :)  I have chunky feet... Hey Mom!... and I like the way the over-the-foot accent gives the appearance of a slimmer foot.  You narrow feet females may not want to purchase these... they may not look as flattering on your bony feet.  BTW...I secretly hate you *smile*

Unlike women with narrow feet, chunky feet women must take precautions when selecting sandals.  The wrong style can have you looking like Fred Flintstone in no time.  BUT chunky feet does not have to equal curb feet.  Wear shoes that fit and don't bunch your feet.  The last think you need on top of chunky feet are corns, bunion, blisters and band-aids hiding war wounds.  

 Her Name is N.Y.L.A. Wild Gladiator Sandal

Oh yea...you felt it...and I did too.  The big 'O'.  Wasn't it exhilarating?  I'll give you a moment to allow you to come down from its after affects.  

If you go out and grab a pair of these... Y-O-U B-E-T-T-E-R WORK THEM!!!!!  And make sure you send me a pic with the outfit you selected to work them with!!  

These are some Uber Sexxxay Mamma Jammas!!  

The heel height on these is only 3-3/4, but I will still give them an A+.  Let me offer you an excellent piece of advise.  MAKE SURE YOU GET THESE IN YOUR SIZE!!!  I will be the first to tell you, you impress no one by getting a shoe too small and shoving your huge huff in it!!  The secret is out...all over the ground, handing all over the sides of the shoe and spilling out the top.  

The calf circumference is 13" so if your calves are larger than that, I suggest you wait until you lose those last few pounds before attempting to get these.  Of course you could get them anyway to give you that encouragement you need to get those pounds off and be trim and fit.  

These sandals ooze with sex appeal and tease the eyes with a full gaze of your graceful, freshly pedicured feet and a peek of calf here and there.  They allow you to be sensual, sexy and glamorous when paired with the right outfit, so please don't overdo it.

Well, there's my scoop on sexy summer shoes.  My list could really go on for days and months with the number of cute, must-have shoes I have seen.  While I'm sure there will be several sequels to this blog, I shall not be too long-winded with this one.

MUST REMEMBER TIPS:  

1.  Pedicures save lives and eyes from looking at curb kickers.

2.  Select sizes and styles that compliment your feet

3.  Extra moisturizing may be needed during the summer months to prevent dry, cracked heels.  Don't be shy about purchasing a good heel softener.

Tell me your thoughts...  Send me your pics...  Subscribe and let me know you're reading this!! lol

You can send your photos to nexmagazinesubmit@gmail.com.  I will be selecting photos to put into the newly designed NeX Magazine once it is completed.  

Out the Closet???

I wrestled with the title of this post because, who the hell is going into your residence checking your closets anyway?

Anywho...for the past couple of days, entertainment gossip has been centered around Frank Ocean and his sexuality.  "Someone" reported that after listening to Frank Ocean's songs, they noticed he referenced a male in some of them.  Then today all hell broke loose when Frank Ocean posted a story of his "outing" on Tumblr. (Read post here)

   

Frank Ocean

I applaud him for having the courage to post the story whether or not it was actually HIS story.  I am unsure, however, as to why others felt he owed them some sort of explanation as to what he does in his bedroom.  Ocean did mention in the post that he felt like a free man.  But why was he in bondage anyway?  Is it because he feared what his fans and the public would think of him?  Is it that he feared backlash from his songs and the crashing of the music industry upon him?

I will say I fell in love with Frank Ocean's music long before I knew his bedroom manner and honestly, I haven't changed how I feel about him as an artist.  I feel that is all he owes to his fans is to be true to his music and create songs that hold the listener.  I am still in love with his music and the lyrics he conveys through it.  Whether he is straight, bi-sexual or gay matters none to me unless he stops making music because of it.  I mean really...  I could care less about his sexual orientation unless I am trying to get with him. That is the only way I can see why it would matter to me what he does in the bedroom.  

Lil B/ Based God

I recall not too long ago, Lil B/Based God mentioned the name of his first album would be titled "I'm Gay".  The music industry went crazy!!  (read here)  Based God went on to add in the title "(I'm Happy)".  Why did he need to clarify what he meant by 'gay'?  Why would they care so much about him talking about himself?  Had he titled the album "I Got Plenty B*tches", no one would have said anything.  As a matter of fact, flip your FM dial to anyone of the Urban music stations in your city and you can hear plenty of songs confessing exactly that..."b*tches, hoes, clothes and rolls".  Probably in that order too.  

Could it be that there are more in the music world that fear by others "coming out", it would shine the spotlight on them as well?  In that regard, I can see why Frank Ocean would go ahead and share his story.  Once you have removed the covers off a most personal part of your life, there is nothing else others can hold over your head.  And we know all too well how others try to hold you hostage by some information they may have on you.  

Anderson Cooper

Well surprise, surprise....this isn't just happening in the music world.  A few days ago Anderson Cooper thought it necessary for him to make a statement, "I'm gay, always have been, always will be."   (yep...got it here)  Huh!!?!?  First of all, that was no surprise.  Second of all, who the hell cares!!  If your job is to report the news, report the news that matters to us and not your sexuality that does not!  Unless you are coming out to some females you may have duped into believing you were straight, the general public should not need to be informed of your bedroom escapades.  

So should we all have a coming out party to share with the entire world what our sexual preference is?  "Honey, I am strictly @!*kly!"  Is that what is necessary nowadays?  It's the same reason I don't do the whole "no homo" thing.  I shouldn't have to quantify every statement I make with the clarification of what my sexual orientation is.  That information is between myself, God and the person I'm committed to.  If I think a female is beautiful, I state that...and that's it!

I said all of that to say this, what business do we have knowing what another person does in their bedroom?  Which is why I struggled with the title "Out the Closet".  It's what society calls it, but like I said earlier...who the hell is checking closets anyway?  Not everyone's closet is clean.

I am sure the industry will have a feeding frenzy with this story for awhile.  I'll be sitting back and vibing to "The Best of Frank Ocean" in the meantime.

Feel free to sound off and let me know what you're thinking...