“Get on Up” came from Jodeci’s last album, The Show, The Afterparty, The Hotel released in 1995. I love this song because its so inspirational, the cadence reminds me of a church song. This song also reminds of those 7 to 7s at World on Wheels. The DJ used to play this song for the backwards skate. My uncoordinated ass could barely skate forward, which didn’t stop me from going to World on Wheels every Sunday afternoon during my teen years.
Jodeci is one of my all time favorite R&B bands, too bad they got destroyed by music industry demons. I’ve read that they’re coming out with a reality show (who doesn’t have a reality show these days?) about Jodeci’s comeback, but let’s keep it real. The time has passed. They’re better off dropping a greatest hits album and doing 90s reunion shows. We’ll always have Forever My Lady, Diary of a Mad Band, and The Show, The After Party, The Hotel to remind us of those classic Jodeci moments. Remember when Jodeci guest starred on Martin? Classic Martin episode!
My favorite thing about this video besides the fact that two of my favorite bitches from the 90s are featured on this track, and the “Queen Bitch” sample from Lil Kim’s Hardcore album, is the fashion featured in this video. Mary J. Blige had the flyest style of any female R&B artist in the 90s. From the blonde weave to the jumpsuits to the snakeskin outfit with the white Versace shades, Mary was the epitome of classy ghetto fabulousness. Most can’t pull that off without looking like a tackhead swapmeet queen, but Diddy’s vision of Mary as ghetto fab was executed in a good way.
Enjoy the throwback video, enjoy your weekend, stay positive, and stay blessed!
I’d heard Lupe’s new track from his upcoming album, Lasers a couple of weeks ago. Initially I thought it was just aight….until it came on one of my Pandora playlists in the car. “I’m Beamin’” knocks on car speakers. I think the video is really innovative – creative, yet simple with cardboard cutouts reflecting the images he spits in his lyrics. I love this dude’s grind, this song def earns a place in my motivational playlist. Check it…
My muse inspired this week’s throwback video. Rightfully so, as I’m overly obsessed with the mid-to-late 90s. It’s my coming of age era, so the music of that time holds a place in my heart.
And where in the hell is Total anyway? After numerous hits, they fell off the face of the Earth. Another case of the Bad Boy curse. SMH.
Vintage MC! Mariah Carey is one of my favorite singers ever. I had Vision of Love on cassette tape when I was ten years old. When she first came out she was mostly doing ballads, but as we entered the mid-to-late 90s, Mariah was real heavy on hip hop collabos. A pop star with a squeaky clean image doing collabos with artists like Nas, Old Dirty Bastard, The Lox, and Mobb Deep? I loved it! R&B with a twist of hip hop was always my favorite.
“The Roof” featuring Mobb Deep was one of Mariah’s dopest hip hop collabs. Mobb Deep is so hard, and Mariah’s voice is so sweet, the contrast is so stark and captivating.
Enjoy your weekend babies! See you Monday…until then catch up with me on Twitter @hiphopmuse. Mwah!
I talk food with my friends and family all day. The question always comes up – what’s for lunch today? What you eating for dinner? My sister mentioned that she had ground turkey thawing in the fridge, but had no idea what to make with it. I suggested tacos, but she said that was boring; tacos are default for ground turkey. So I said, what about taco salad? I think she’s game.
This recipe is adapted from Delish.com, but you know I had to do a remix, right?
Serves 2.
Ingredients
* 1/2 cup prepared salsa
* 1/2 teaspoon canola oil
* 1/3 small onion, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 8 ounces lean ground beef or turkey
* 1 large plum tomato, diced
* 1/2 cup canned kidney beans, rinsed (see Tips for Two)
* 1 teaspoon ground cumin
* 1 teaspoon chili powder
* 1/8 teaspoon salt, or to taste
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
* 4 cups shredded romaine lettuce
* 1/4 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
Instructions
1. Heat oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Add ground turkey and cook, stirring often, until brown and cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Add seasoning to taste. Stir in beans, until heated through. Remove from the heat, stir in cilantro and 2 tablespoons of the salsa mixture.
2. Divide the lettuce between 2 plates, top with the cooked meat and sprinkle with cheese, tomatoes, and leftover salsa.
An entire event dedicated to the love of street food? The organizers of the LA Street Food Fest are people after my own heart. Food trucks of every echelon will gather in one location for festival attendees to dine on yummy mobile delicacies - kimchi tacos, pancakes, grilled cheese, and more!
Local artists and designers will be selling wares, along with the requisite beer, wine, and live music. The weather is supposed to be a sunny 74 degrees on Saturday, a perfect way to enjoy a pre-Valentine’s day afternoon.
Event Info
How: Pay as you go (cash only!) directly to food vendors with special Street Food Fest sampling menus priced $1-$5!
What: 1st Annual LA Street Food Fest
When: Saturday, February 13th, 11am – 5pm
Admission: General Admission will be available at the door the day of the event on a first-come first-served basis. $5General Admission . Includes entry to the festival, a free drink ticket, cool giveaways.
$30VIP(SOLD-OUT!) Includes all of the above plus access to above street-level VIP patio with a bird’s eye view of the fest, goodie bag, exclusive bites not available to GA attendees, private bar, access to indoor restrooms, and more.
Children: Little ones age 10 and under admitted free with a paying grown up.
Where: LA CENTER STUDIOS (Enter on 500 S. Beaudry Ave, LA, CA 90017)
It was given to me by one of my college pseudo-boyfriends, and has carried me from my college dorm, back home, to my own apartment. It’s given me nearly a decade of use, until it shut off by itself and never came back on. The television set that held me down for nearly a decade is with the Lord now. *Bowing my head in prayer*
Alas, I’ve been blessed with a new high definition flat screen TV that’s much sexier, takes up less space, and doesn’t need a VCR to accommodate cable hookup. My poor old TV is sitting in the corner, collecting dust and taking up space. I can’t just toss it in the garbage, television sets aren’t biodegradable. No point in giving it to Goodwill, coz the ish doesn’t work.
My friend Google put me on to an electronics recycling event not far from my house. I can take my old TV, used batteries, cell phones, and computers to the event and have them properly disposed.
I’m keeping the VCR for nostalgic reasons…and it still works. You never know when a VHS tape may come your way.
This week’s throwback video is brought to you by Notorious BIG, Lil Kim, and the year 1995. Lil Kim was so cute, I hate that she’s becoming a black Jocelyn Wildenstein. And the cameos! Mary J. Blige..Xscape..Salt N’ Pepa..Vanessa Del Rio..damn!
This my hip hop golden age! 15 years later, the mantra remains true…GET MONEY!!!
