2008 is Done, Time for 2009

Skillz’ annual rap up:

2008 Rap Up-clean – Skillz
This year has been pretty crazy. I mean this is going to go down in history as a year to remember! Anything that could have happened probably happened this year. I know you’ll probably see all kinds of 2008 reviews but these are the stories that meant something to me. Enjoy;
(In no Particular order)

The most important and #1 event that took place this year was Nov 4th 2008. You all know what I’m talking about. That was the night that  Barrack Hussein Obama won the presidential election! This was something that no one ever expected to happen. I truly never thought that I would see it in my lifetime, maybe Boogie’s but not mine. History in the making. A change we can believe in!!!

The AIG bailout- This was crazy because this was the first time something like this hit so close to home. You always think ‘ that’s messed up what’s happening to them‘, never realizing that you could be them. You know?

The price of gas goes through the roof- Remeber when gas was like $1 something? Yeah the good old days… This year we saw gas as high as over $5 in my area. It was crazy, and then after hurricane Ike hit Texas, while the rest of the country’s gas prices were going down, Atlanta had the nerve to have a shortage on gas! Something about the grade of gas being higher than the rest of the country or some other foolishness.

The $700 billion bailout – Crazy!! No one was safe!! first Bear Sterns, then Lehman Brothers, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and a host of other banks and institutions fell, were bought out by others (Bank of America racked up!) or the Feds took control of them. Everybody’s money was funny.

A metrolink train in California collides head on with another because one of the drivers was *allegedly* texting while driving and missed the signals to stop.

 The Olympics – Micheal Phelps won a gang of gold medals. Not really a swim fan but it’s still an incredible feat to get gold in every event you participate in. Usain Bolt of Jamaica set fire to the track! He also took the gold in every event he participated in, but was overshadowed by his ‘so called’ lack of sportmanship by basically jogging the last 30 meters of the record breaking 9.65 sec 100 meter dash. They say he could have done at least 9.5 or maybe even 9.4 had he gone full out. I really don’t care because he does what he does. When you’re the best you do this. * sidenote: whatever happened to sportsmanship in pro sports period? No one follows through or plays the fundamentals that were embedded in them as kids. taking off on defense, not shaking hands at the end of game w/ opponent etc..* Dude from America came in second to Usain in the 200 but stepped on the line and was disqualified. That had to suck to know that you’re the second fastest but technically some other dude gets the award.

Lil Wayne sells a milli in a week- Whether you’re a weezy fan or not or even if you’re not a fan of hip hop/rap music you have to respect someone that sells that many records in one week. Especially in this economy and with the music industry’s troubles selling records. Now whether cash money bought 900,000 of those is unknown. The jury is still out on that one. Still think Jeezy’s Recession > Weezy’s Carter 3. It was cool but that’s just my opinion.

We lost some great ones this year as well – Heath Ledger, Bobby Fischer, Yves Saint Laurent, Bo Diddly, George Carlin, Jesse Helms, Eartha Kitt, Bernie Mac, Isaac Hayes,  and Betty Page. I’m sure I missed somebody because I just thought of those names off the dome. Oh yeah, and Paul Newman.

There has been some wack music to come out this year, but some good music as well. I’ll just talk about the good… Here’s my list of artists that got heavy rotation from me in ’08 (google them):
Wale
Marky
The Cool Kids
Kid Cudi
Charles Hamilton
Young Jeezy
Black Milk
Talib Kweli
Jay Z
Nas
Jazmine Sullivan
Santogold
Kanye West
Lil Wayne
The Game
Ludacris
The Insomniaks
Kidz In The Hall
Lyriciss
Michael Jackson
N.E.R.D.
Raheem DeVaughnn
Robin Thicke
Shontelle
X.O.
Theo
Ra The MC
UCB
Chuck Brown
Trey Songz
New Edition
Joy Denalane
John Legend
Anthony Hamilton
Jamie Foxx
Frankie J
Scarface
The list could literally go on and on, but those were the ones that came to mind. As you can see I mixed in some ‘underground’ with ‘mainstream’ along with some ‘new school’ matched up against ‘old school’.

So those were my highlights and lowlights of 2008. Well those were the ones that mattered to me. I’m sure there were more I mean it was a leap year so 366 days plus an extra second so I know someone else may have your favorite moment out there if it’s not here.

Oh yeah, in ’09 can we please bury the word or term ‘swagger, swagga, swag’ or any interpolation of the word? I mean it has been so overused this year it’s ridiculous! When Old Spice comes out with a whole line (Body spray, body wash and deodorant) named ‘Swagger’ you know it’s a wrap! once mainstream gets ahold of it, it’s over!

Okay I’m out. See you in ’09!!!

Sincere

New Year’s Eve/Birthday Video

Just a lil video about this year and My birthday that I decided to put up while bored…

New Year’s Eve To You, A Birthday To Me from Sincere on Vimeo.

Lessons Learned 2008

Some of the things I learned this year. Just a few I’d like to mention;

Sincere, 28, future….
2AM 12/31/08
At home watching TV and on twitter.com

- It’s greater, later.
- I am too ‘connected’
- I really can make a difference!
- I’m a little too concerned with how others view me.
- I need to get out more.

I think that’s about it for now. This year really hasn’t been too eventful, same ole same ole so I haven’t really learned anything new this time around.

New Year’s Eve To You, A Birthday To Me….

So I have made it to see another birthday. I really don’t celebrate my birthday by doing anything big because it will always be overshadowed by New Year’s eve. If you don’t know today is my birthday and I’m 29! That’s one year from my thirties and the last year of my twenties. Have I reached any of the goals I set like 10 years ago? Nope. Not even close. I kind of gave up on setting goals a long time ago. It’s just a big disappointment when I don’t reach them. Maybe I should just make realistic goals instead… Hmmm, maybe I’ll try that instead.

This year has been pretty uneventful actually. This was my first ‘official’ year living in Atlanta and I still haven’t gone to the Aquarium or the zoo. I’m a home body so as long as I have food, tv and internet I’m content.  This year I realized that I am too addicted to technology. I know I’ve talked about my addiction in other posts but it’s ridiculous. I really need to disconnect from the Matrix.

I still can’t really believe that I’m 29. From looking at me you couldn’t tell. I still look like I’m 16. Okay maybe 18. *Thanks to my pork free diet!* There really hasn’t been a big change since last year and this year so let’s raise our glasses *lifting cup of Grey Goose & Cranapple juice* and toast to good life and good love!!!

Peace

You Aren’t Done Yet?

okay so I bought this new camera about a month ago. It’s not really new but new to me ya know? Anyway, it’s a Fuji s3000 and I’m all pumped and ready to start flashing and taking pics but as the time goes on I start to get bored with it. This is typical with me, that’s why I have 2 digital cameras and 3 camcorders (they also take pics) that are just staring at me waiting for me to choose one of them to help document my life. I always have at least one, and most times two, of them with me at all times, but never find that ‘should have had a camera’ moment. I am sure if I just record or take pics of lots of stuff I can find that moment. So I have pledged to start recording and taking pics all the time. Well almost all the time. I bought these things because I really enjoy photography and cinematography and I thought that would motivate me but ummerra…. hasn’t really happened, at least hasn’t stuck for a while.
I’m so unfocused at times. I pick something and then get bored with it and stop. Funny thing is, these are things that I actually enjoy. I don’t know if it’s laziness or just A.D.D. but I got it bad! I always seem to pick things that challenge me but it’s like as soon as I get the hang of it and understand, something else catches my eye. I’m constantly switching or changing something. I like to get things done, and right of course. If it takes to long to do something I’m not with it. I mean I have patience but I’m not good at practicing it. My grandmother (R.I.P. Big Momma, I miss you!!) always gave me these two conflicting and contradictory pieces of advice;
“It don’t take all day to do nothin’!” and “It’s always greater later.” I know that they are on opposite sides of life but these are some of the quotes I live by. I’m patient and willing to wait (‘Greater later’) but I don’t like to take too long to get anything (‘Don’t take all day…’). Weird right? I know, but it is what it is… I guess that’s what makes up the randomness that is me!
Just like this post… When I started I was all into it but as time went on and thoughts got scribed, I’ve lost interest…

Peace
Sincere

Jamie Foxx Intuition Album Review

The third musical installment from singer/actor/comedian Jamie Foxx is “Intuition”. This album lives up to and exceeds his previous album “Unpredictable” (a solid album in itself). Below is my track-by-track take on this album.

Just Like Me (featuring T.I.) – The album opens with the lead single ‘Just Like Me’. The song is very catchy and easy on the ears. The premise is that his significant other is just like him, from having fun to cheating. This is a nice up-tempo song with a great drum line behind it. This song could have done without Mr. Harris even though he doesn’t add or detract from its likeability.

I Don’t Need It – Seems Mr. Foxx was channeling the old greats like Ray Charles again. This song’s instrumental gives you a feel of today, but his voice and delivery beckon back to the days of the old Motown. I’m sure I’ve heard this beat somewhere before, I just can’t place it. In this song, he sings of not needing the money or companionship of this particular young woman. He has everything he needs already.

Number One Feat Lil Wayne – This Just Blaze produced beat hits on all cylinders. From the bass heavy instrumental to his sing/rap flow, this is definitely one of the best songs on the album. Easily one of my favorites, he could do without the Autotune, but I guess everyone has to have at least one on their album. The lyrical content is not all that amazing, he talks of the flossy things like every other person, but the beat and flow make up for his lack of lyrical creativity. Lil Wayne is actually not too far on his Martian stuff on this one. I guess like the autotune, you have to have at least one song with Lil Wayne.

Digital Girl Featuring Kanye West – This is I believe his second single. The instrumental reminds me of Afrika Bambataa’s ‘Planet Rock’ or most recently, Common’s ‘Universal Mind Control’.
Kanye raps about what seems like his love for Mac. Jamie came at this from a different angle. The beat is up-tempo yet he matches it up perfectly with the ballad flow. A definite banger.

Blame It Featuring T- Pain – This Bangladesh inspired beat (Think ‘A Milli’ or ‘Diva’) seems to rock hard. ‘Blame it’ is basically about him picking up a girl that gets pretty frisky and they decide to blame this behavior on the alcohol. Like Lil Wayne Before, T-Pain seems to be a requisite for every album. Like Tip on ‘Just Like Me’ he neither takes away nor does he enhance the song.

She Got Her Own Featuring Neyo and Fabolous – This is the remix to ‘Miss Independent’ by Neyo, but like I thought when I first heard it a while ago this sounds better as a song on it’s own as opposed to be lumped as a remix to something else. Mr. Foxx seems to have a winner here. The instrumental is slower than the original track and, basically, a totally different song. I like this version better.

I Don’t Know – When I heard the small sample of Pharcyde’s ‘Passing Me By’ I was hooked. The song seems well written and it’s a nice cool out song to listen to.

Weekend Lover – This ballad is about a woman who’s having a tough week dealing with everything from arguing with her man to being late because of a child to having the babysitter not arrive. Once the weekend comes, he is there to relieve her of all that stress and be her ‘weekend lover’.

Why – Once the Autotune is in effect. This tale is about a relationship lost to unknown reasons. This well written track is one of those reflection tracks that makes you think back to loves lost. The piano heavy instrumental would sound amazing live or in an acoustic set.

Freak’in Me Featuring Marsha Ambrosius of Floetry– This wouldn’t be Jamie Foxx if he didn’t have at least one freaky/slow grinding song. This is it. The slow instrumental with the claps and bass drops will entice that young lady’s body to slow grind. Their intertwined flow is complimentary to the track as it moves seamlessly from beginning to end.

Slow – This melodic tune is made for those late night sessions. This ballad picks up where ‘Freak’in Me’ leaves off. He turns into the crooner that he is with this instructional love song.

Rainman – Here he envisions himself without his love and what it’s like to not have that love there. Here he compares her not being there to rainy days. He evokes the depression felt with heavy rain as well as losing a love interest. Lyrically he takes you there with his comparative similes and the track is beautifully written. I think this is one of my favorites, if not my favorite.

Overdose – Another love ballad about a love lost. He and his writers seem to have a stronghold on how to reflect on love. Here he talks of how his love for her is like a drug that he would happily overdosed using.

Love Brings Change (Bonus Track) – This track is a beautifully written and heartfelt track about how love can bring change. This seems that it may have been dedicated to someone that may have passed on.

Jamie seemed to really take his time on this one and take it back to the essence of real R & B mixed with a little of the modern day antics, beautifully written both musically and lyrically. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of material on this album. It exceeded any expectations I had set for it when going in. I knew the album would be good, but not this good. I think every track is excellent and this album easily flows from one song to the next. This may be a certified “baby maker” here. I give this album a 4.5 out of 5.

When All Else Fails…

“It’s okay to lose your pride over love, it’s not okay to lose your love over pride.” – Nana Sincere

When do you know that it’s time to throw in the towel per say?  I hear talk of people saying that you just ‘grow apart’ but do you really grow apart or do those little idiosyncrasies build and fester over time driving you apart? We all have our little things or quirks about our significant other that drive us up the wall but when is enough actually enough? Now I’m not an advocate for divorce but sometimes it’s better to just severe ties, cut your losses and move on. My wife and I have so many married friends that are unhappy. I’m always like why? why be with someone that doesn’t make you happy? I can’t spend the rest of my life, or any time of my life, with someone that doesn’t  make me happy. If I cringe every time I see their face then they must not be the one for me and I need to move on. It doesn’t help either person in either way.
I remember at one point feeling like some type of marriage counselor. Our friends would look at our relationship from the outside and say ‘I want that’ or ‘how do you guys do it?’. From the outside things will always look fine because we have a united front. You will never know what strings are being pulled behind the curtain. Not to suggest that our marriage and love for each other is in anyway forced or fake but to say that our internal problems/issues always remain just that. Internal.

A good friend of mine from way back hit me on my gmail about some marital advice since I send out ‘Sincere Thoughts’ (Words of wisdom-ish stuff)by email every morning. Well, almost every morning, I try… If you want to get on the blast just send me your email address. I of course replied to him with what I would do in a situation like theirs. I decided to share some of the points.

1. Communication is key:
If you’re mad at me for something I did or didn’t do how am I to know if you don’t say so.

2. Be observant. You don’t have to be meticulous or a private eye with it, just pick up on different vibes and roll with it. If you notice he/she is tired, offer a massage or to take over one of their tasks for them. Things like that.

3.Be spontaneous. I would send my wife flowers or a card just to say ‘hi & I’m thinking about you’ for example. It doesn’t always to be some big elaborate thing. It’s the little things that matter the most.

4. A happy wife= a happy life. This goes both ways too. No matter who wears ‘the pants’ in your relationship, a happy spouse is important. Remember, if you’re not making them happy they can and will find someone or something else that will.

5. Pride will take you nowhere but to the corner of Lonely Ave and Heartbreak Blvd. It’s not always about you! Relationships are a give and take. You have to be able to give just as much as you take. Don’t let pride make you feel like you’re too big or bold to apologize when you’re wrong or humble yourself and take direction. You have to be able to release that pride to keep your marriage on track.

Those were just a few of the things that I try and live by. What keeps us happy may not work for you so I say don’t follow the advice of everyone, including me, verbatim but modify it to fit your life. This is not just a model for marriage. It can be applied to any relationship you may be in. I have never professed to be an expert or guru on any subject but I just like to pass along things that have helped me in hopes that it’ll help you.
If after doing these things and you still feel like it’s not working then when all else fails… Move on. Your happiness is what’s best.

Love and live well
 
Sincere