I'll Take You To The Candy Shop

I still get nauseous each time I see Madonna's revolting album cover. Bill Maher said there should be a "3 decade limit for dressing like a whore." He might be a tad over-zealous! 

Since I'm not as ageist, I'm very excited about seeing Muh-Don-Nuh perform tonight at Roseland. Admittedly, I wasn't siked about it at first (out of unconscious protest), but I blocked the raunchy image (to the left) out of my mind, vowing only to picture the glory days of hits like "Holiday."

UPDATE: 

My "4 Minutes" footage from the show (and photo below)

OR watch the whole thing on MSN.

Continuing with my seemingly AGEIST mentality, isn't Jigga a little too "seasoned" to be getting involved in young Lebron's squabbles with other basketball players? Not to mention, he said he doesn't need to respond WITHIN his response!

Corny? You decide.

And before I forget (thanks to Boz), don't miss the

Santogold album leak on MTVu!

Love her!!!

It's a Matter of Extreme Importance

Check out this Gnarls Barkley Hot 97 interview. 

It only solidifies the degree of their GENIUS in my eyes! 

Let me find out Enuff is a secret fan... and I love his shout out to Niles!

And did you see A. Keys' video for 

"Teenage Love Affair"?!?!

 

At 4:02, see how my BOO Tristan Wilds 

(Michael Lee from The Wire) 

bags Alicia on the dance floor! Oww.

In real news...

If you haven't seen this yet, 

YOU HAVE TO WATCH! 

It's the CNN clip of the 7 year-old boy who stole his Grandma's car because he wanted to do "hoodrat stuff." LMAO. This is the youth of America, people! 

Thanks to Eskay for this one... Immortal Technique's blog regarding Sean Bell and police brutality is progressive, well-written and gives us hope in a time of negativity. Definitely worth reading!!!

I hate to say "I Toldya So," but Reverend Jeremiah Wright's controversial Q&A has finally caused Barack Obama to formally sever ties with his pastor. Read the NY Times article (with denunciation footage!)

Kelly Told Y'all "Don't Bring 'Em In The Club"

Some of you might think it's corny, but hearing this record forced me to listen to Dream's album all the way through. That's saying a lot since I'm so cynical.

After the full listen, I ended up putting the album into 

Morning Commute Rotation. 

But then again, you have to keep in mind that the album version of "I Luv Your Girl" doesn't have Jeezy on it. Go figure.

Do You Have A First Aid Kit Handy?

I love shoes.

During a recent (and unfortunately tragic) quest for cute flats, I realized just how PICKY I am when it comes to choosing a pair. (Hmm, sounds like me with boys.) Anyhow...

I totally miss heels :(

^These^ are amazing and I've been coveting them for months!

And ^THESE^ would look ILL with my new dress! Ugh.

But lastly...
If you know me, you know why these are so profoundly symbolic:

They're just what the doctor ordered ;)

American Terrorist

That's right, Ladies and Gentlemen... it's a CONDIMENT GUN

...and I need one. Just look inside my fridge.

Read more about how it works here:)

Rory's Screenname: fill it up with whipped cream and get sexy

Unfortunately, the police officers who killed Sean Bell didn't have Ketchup and Mustard in their guns; they had bullets, and they fired on unarmed civilians.

Judge Acquits Detectives in 50-Shot Killing of Bell

There are so many versions of the story, SMH. Since I wasn't there at the scene, I don't know who or what to believe, but I do know on thing: 50 shots is NOT right, and is a clear example of unnecessary lethal force.

I'm Killin' Them All On My Own Little Mission

The new Nas joint is ferosh! Get it on Imeem.

And speaking of Nasir...
Kenna f. Nas "The Deafest Ones" Um, I had no idea this little duet existed!

Also check out...
Santogold "Starstruck" Saw her perform this live - she killed it.
MGMT "Electric Feel Remix" As if this song could get any better, SMH.
Estelle f. CeeLo "Pretty Please Love Me" Good song, but he outSHINEs her.

This too...

NEW LILY ALLEN!!!

>>> Lily Allen "I Don't Know" <<<

Can't wait for her record.

And lastly, the new Lykke Li video for "I'm Good, I'm Gone"

"You'll be callin' but I won't be at the phone."

I swear that this girl LIVES in my brain! Her videos make the songs' beats come alive, and the lyrical content?! Sheesh. It's like I wrote it myself.

Pups Can't Keep Up With The Pedigree

Back from NO and DC...

Much like Wayne, I'm not yet ready to make a "statement."

Drop It Like It's Hot

I'm getting on a plane tomorrow morning...

Guess where I'm going?!?

NEW ORLEANS!!!

You know what that means...

I stumbled upon his BET Spring Bling footage. Not too shabby.

And speaking of Wayne... I really tried to deny the power of "Lollipop" ever since it was floating around on the blogs a few weeks back. Same thing for Usher's "Love In This Club"... typical mainstream boycott, I guess.

Since neither single grabbed me after the preliminary listens, I put them both on my back burner. Unfortunately, every car that drives by my block is blasting one or the other, and god forbid you're a little saucy when you hear them - it's over! As a result of this inevitable conditioning, I have now officially been hypnotized by both these records :(

Just give me some southern accents while I dance to them and I'll be good :) Watch out New Orleans: L-Boogie and Zilla are on our way... oww.

A Little Bit In Love With You

I was introduced to Swedish artist Lykke Li this week.

Her song and video for "Little Bit" are sick:

I love it!!! 

Also, I was educated by an important Barack Obama update. Both Lykke Li and the article are thanks to the "pixie" running shit over at These Grand Things.

After reading about how MGMT's "Time To Pretend" video was partly inspired by Alexandro Jodorowsky's film The Holy Mountain, I was forced to Netflix it. 6 of us sat down to watch it, and by the end, only 3 remained. The screenshot below is from a scene in the movie that is reenacted in their video. 

While watching this chaotic cult classic, I noticed that certain paint-squirting techniques used reminded me of another music video I've seen:

Santogold's "L.E.S. Artistes"

In this restoration clip of the movie, you can see the technique at :18 and :45 seconds in. Beyond those, there are many more direct reenactments of the film executed in her video. I wonder how well MGMT & Santi "Santagold" White know each other since they all went to Wesleyan. I have this image in my head of the 3 of them watching The Holy Mountain together in college.

(Photo from Brooklyn Vegan)

And lastly, how fiery is this Usher/Chris Brown "Kiss Kiss/In This Club" mash-up?

The transitions are mean...

Someone even went to the trouble of making a video for it. 

I'm a.little bit.in love.with it.

I'm Sure They'll Have a Place For You Too

I saw a great show at Highline last week...

Thanks to that ATL shawty, Mr. Jones, for the company :)

She really brought the energy during "Creator"...

I need to hear more of the music before I give my full seal of approval, but her beats are definitely nuts and she comes off pretty organic on stage.

"Crazy" (off St. Elsewhere) proves how talented CeeLo is:

His voice is just as amazing live as it is on the record. Hands down - one of the best male vocalists of our time.

"A Little Better" (off The Odd Couple) is one of my theme songs:

"I've got a heart made of gold in me!"

Word?? Me too.

"Run" (off The Odd Couple):

I think that clip proves he's a rock star at heart :)

"Going On" (off The Odd Couple) is currently my favorite track on the album:

I highly recommend reading the lyrics.

And watching my favorite music savant - Danger Mouse - mechanically bop his head to the beat? It's just mesmerizing.

And I'm mega late with posting this since I saw her the week before last at The Blender Theater showcase, but it's whatever... enjoy!

JANELLE MONAE

"Smile" shows Janelle's softer, less alien/robot side:

And based on the introduction he gave her, I'd say Diddy is clearly a believer:

That, or he's a washed used car salesman, clinging to talent outside his wheelhouse, solely to preserve his relevance in the industry. Either way - at least my girl is getting some shine!

xoxoxo

The Way Kathy Lee Needed Regis

I haven't lifted anything from Kanye's blog in a while, so I don't feel too bad about borrowing this photo. Apparently, it's a piece from a contemporary museum exhibit in Italy called "Goods and Gods: Spirituality and Mass Confusion."

Jesus made of bogies? I love it. Obviously.

I also love Wayne's Carter III album cover.

Cute and alarming... at the same time. Genius.
I really want to know whose idea this was.

And FYI... I may have taken a break from discussing Wayne for a little while now, but only because I was catching such grief from people who thoroughly dislike him. But eff all that! The countdown is on... June 10th, folks. I just hope he doesn't disappoint me.

Shock Me Like An Electric Eel

Police Raid Compound of Texas Polygamist Sect

(The Washington Post)

Big Love in real life?!? Oh yeah, there's also CNN footage. And, while you watch it, keep in mind that some of the kids they rescued may not know civilization exists beyond their community's gate.

Army Worried By Rising Stress of Return Tours

(The NY Times)

AC, Boz and I finally went to see Stop Loss last week. The movie wasn't really good beyond Channing's eyes, but it made me realize that a lot of troops get sent back to Iraq more than once. Then - over the weekend - I found this article!

Obama Refuses To Talk With Gay Media

(The Huffington Post)

Not sure what to think of this.

Ukrainian Pop Star's Would-Be Revolution

(NPR.org)

Ever since Inna was sent packing on Rock of Love II, I've needed a new Ukrainian idol. Thank goodness for Ruslana!

As far as tunes, I can't stop listening to MGMT!

I thought it was too young for me at first, but I completely underestimated them! "Electric Feel" is my favorite song right now.

Other artists on rotation include:

Gnarls Barkley
Adele

The Ting Tings
Kenna

Janelle Monae

Santogold

Justin Nozuka

Panic at the Disco

Duffy

Get on your J-O!

Chasing Pavements

My milk expired today :(

So did my patience.

Last week, I told Boz about a conversation I had with myself "re: guys," and based on 1) my talking to myself and 2) the conclusions that surfaced as a result, she insisted I blog about it.

This video makes so much sense.

Keep your ears open for Adele, her voice is making itself known!

Here's her single "Chasing Pavements"...

Should I give up or should I just keep chasing pavements?

Even if it leads no where?

I don't really feel like directly explaining how I feel, but let's just say that just like one cleans out their closets, drawers and refrigerator for SPRING CLEANING, I'm cleaning out my recycling bin as well. Nah mean?

Boz'sSceenname: can you please blog about this
MyScreenname: of course
Boz'sScreenname: like this conversation
Boz'sScreenname: like this exactttt convo
Boz'sScreenname: with self
Boz'sScreenname: needs to be blogged
MyScreenname: i will, for sure
Boz'sScreenname: i think it will be pretty effin great

Thanks Boz!

Bottom line: I'm over it. Rory's with this refreshing plan too... no more garbage, right? Only quality from now on. I mean... if all your time goes to crap, then you're wasting energy that could be better spent in more productive places. And if you keep your inbox clear, you won't be confused when the real thing comes around...

Tell 'em Whitney!

UPDATED on 4/7 (after receiving this email):

From: Friendly Co-Worker Upstairs
Sent: Monday, April 07, 2008 3:31 PM
To: ZILLA
Subject: Sorry bout your milk :(

LMAO! Hilarious.

A World With Amnesia Won't Forget Your Name

Young Hov is at it again.

"In a move that reflects the anarchy sweeping the music industry, the superstar rapper Jay-Z is on the verge of closing a $150 million deal with the concert giant Live Nation that rivals the biggest music contracts ever awarded." NY Times article

Got the US Open... ADVANTAGE JIGGA.

Also... streets are talking... 

Jay and B are rumored to be getting MARRIED on Friday.  

Oof!