Two sides to every story One man’s gloom is another man’s glory Sun to a shadow, rose to a thorn There ain’t no fury like a woman scorned Prince – …
Reflections Summer ’16
*Reflections Summer ‘16
by Christopher CJX Joseph
From one American black man out of many, in heartbreaking, hostile times.
In yet another long hot chaotic summer. The turn of the century is at a confusing crossroads in
this great societal experiment of America.
I am frustrated…that ignorance still fuels race relations.
I am saddened and angered…people’s lives are lost.
Especially against my brothers, in our similar hues of brown, tan, caramel, cocoa, and chocolate.
No matter our rich cultural heritage, the Caribbean, West Indies, Indian, Asian, African. No matter our
education. No matter if we are complacent or the aggressor. Treatment is not equal. Black is black in the
eye of the oppressor.
I am shocked and dismayed…of violence begetting violence.
I love everybody no matter their origin, even the oppressors and the ignorant. They still have
families that love them. I am all for Humanity; even if they aren’t.
I am not surprised…racism still exists.
I am mortified and aggravated…our civility is in chaos.
Fifty-two years after the historic Civil Rights act and Martin Luther King Jr’s nobel prize there
isn’t enough implementation of these pivotal game changers. The physical walls were torn down while
the mental walls stayed strong.
I am aghast…of seemingly ‘educated’ people totally missing the point.
They challenge the good intentions of ‘Black Lives Matter’ or ‘Affirmative Action’, or any push
for equality they can only see from ‘one’ perspective and want to challenge positive unification. Just
because we have a black president does not equate to everything is ‘okay’. Try walking a mile in another
man’s shoes; then get back to me.
I am perplexed and overwhelmed…of political misguidance and corruption, all politicians are
unfortunately suspect.
I am distraught…that not enough of my brothers are able to escape the traps that society taunts you with.
Some revel in it, flaunt it in their actions, their speak, their manners, their music. Unfortunately
perpetuating the negative stereotypes. Disadvantaged parents pass on to disadvantaged offspring. Poor
neighborhood environment breeds disillusioned youth. Educational opportunities are underfunded or
dismissed nixing a prime opportunity for change. Oppressors patrol the areas with a general mistrust felt
amongst both sides. A pure mixing pot of disaster.
I am horrified…concocted substances seemingly offer an escape from harsh reality. The temptation is
powerful and all of our communities suffer.
I am disheartened…many of my brothers end up locked away. Physically or mentally.
Rehabilitation is bleak. Freedom is an allusion.
I am perplexed…that education is prioritized but does not cover its full potential. Common sense is
thrown out the door. Education over penalization.
I am dismayed…That Faith and Hope seemingly is lost.
I am encouraged…by pockets of hope.
From people of all faiths, all cultures, all backgrounds, speaking out against all the travesties and
calling for unification versus division. To work together to find solutions, to find common ground for
coexistence for humanity’s sake. There is strength in numbers versus fighting the fight alone.
I have mixed sentiments…for the United States. Land of the FREE(?), land of the brave.
We have great opportunities here, other countries are envious of this, or they loath us for it. Was
not a good history of how our people came here, how they treated the natives, how they treated their
neighbors. Ignorance was the norm. With so much wealth of information today, why the heck are we
still suffering? We can learn from the past but let’s not live in the it, we can make the most of life or we
fail trying.
I live by…Positivism over negatively. I strive for this daily.
‘We can make America great again’; for me, that’s a call of action for something better than
where it’s currently coming from. For people to ‘Wake up’ from the negativity, to challenge the
oppression intelligently, to speak up when we see injustice. Not just by shouting, or anger, or violence.
Meet them where it counts, I know it’s scary, but we need to report when we see injustice, file that
complaint, question authority LEGALLY. Lawyer up if needed. Soak up information. The justice
system can be challenged, and when one opportunity fails, let’s not let that defeat us. If anything we
learned from MLK, this is it. Try again. And again. Repeat. Anarchy is not the answer.
I feel…inspired.
To get my own affairs together. To be able to give back to my community anyway possible; by
time, investment, inspiration. To respect one another, appreciate our diversity, and learn of other cultures.
As I grow, my environment around me grows.
I am….compelled and motivated.
To make positive change. Where and when I can. In my own life and my family. To encourage
my children to do the same. To be a strength to them when the trials of the world beckon and tempt.
Hopefully they pay it forward. Each one teach one.
My 21 Greatest Prince moments
Soundtracks of my life PT #2
My 21 Greatest Prince moments
In honor of my favorite all time singers glorious life I put together my best memories.
- Meeting him briefly in person. Prince headlined the Jam of the year tour in 1997 at the Ervin J Nutter center in Dayton Ohio. I worked at 94.5 FM at the time and was able to secure tickets and get backstage. I had been wanting to see Prince since I was a teen but something always seemed to get in my way but ironically for my first concert I was mainly backstage. I saw the show briefly from the side stage which was still awesome even though I wished could have watched it in its entirety. I had the opportunity to kick it with another legend Miss Aaliyah herself who opened the show and we sat and talked and took pictures. I admit I flirted hard with the R&B queen and don’t apologize even though I took a date. My date was merely a good friend I liked to take to shows so she didn’t mind. She liked Aaliyah also. After scoring some contact numbers I lost my date and wanted to meet Prince. Low and behold I found her ironically in a backroom full of Prince female fans all crowded around him. Besides the security I was the only male so was quite a bit awkward. Prince was perched on a makeshift throne in the sea of lovely ladies, gold outfit on, those crazy heeled boots. I waded through groupieland and found myself right in front of him, I remembered was odd meeting one of my favorite all time performers in such a profound matter. I did all the talking as it seemed the girls were feeding him grapes but that could have been part of the surreal-ness. I stammered out “Hi Prince, great to meet you. Really big fan! I have all your records!” The Purple one hiked his heels up and nodded at me, gave me that well known half smile, half smirk as he knew he ruled all Gotham. He mouthed out a barely audible ‘Thank you’ and we shared a moment of awkward silence as I swear they pushed grapes in his mouth. I semi talked to him and my starstruck date who had happily joined in the groupie cult, “Hey, you ready to go, didn’t even see you in all this.” I motioned around with a bit of sarcasm that he seemed to get a laugh out of. Everyone knew as feminine he could dress and come off as, he could still take your girl. I was cool, I had Aaliyah numbers and my companion had sat on his lap and probably some females lap, was all good. There was talk of after parties which never evolved but that was a very interesting evening indeed.
- Actually catching a full show. In 2000 I was working at 92.1 FM and he was coming to the Cincinnati Music Hall. Still couldn’t afford a show but as luck would have it a co-worker had scored tickets but something came up and they couldn’t attend. They knew I was a fan and offered the tickets. I couldn’t say no! I knew from previous failed attempts you had to take advantage if the right opportunity presented itself. Plus I had lamented about not seeing the full Nutter Center show or any when I was younger. My girlfriend for some odd reason wasn’t a fan so I took one of my buddies and he drove. The show goes down as one of the best overall performances I’ve ever seen in my lifetime amongst Sade, Janet Jackson, the Roots and Public Enemy.
- Recording “Do Me Baby” with all it’s sexual energy, screaming, simulated sex romp at the influential pubescent age of twelve on a cassette tape to play over and over. “Do Me Baby” reeled me in.
- I was sold the first time I heard the synthesized riffs and hard drum loops with a robotic beast bellowing “Don’t Worry I won’t hurt u, I only want u 2 have some fun” of “1999”. That album proved to be a beast itself as every single track jammed!!! The album was a pure party starter front to back setting the standard. Was my first vinyl purchase ever!
- Purple Rain in the theater.
- Hearing “If I was your Girlfriend” wicked groove emulating from a packed car of friends and having to buy “Sign of the Times” immediately. Became my favorite Prince CD another front to back masterpiece.
- Getting my first speeding ticket to “Hot Thing” after mashing the gas to impress passing by females.
- Jamming “1999” when my oldest daughter was born in 1999.
- Attempting an embarrassing simulation of ‘The Beautiful Ones” to be ‘sexy’ for a girlfriend. FAIL! Lol
- Doing a skit to “Let’s Go Crazy” with a buddy in school. We practiced the song over and over until we went crazy with bleeding ears!
- In Chicago a girl I worked with was so hell bent to see the Artist she would sleep with whoever helped score tickets. I was only happy to oblige! 🙂
- Hearing “Erotic City” in a coffee shop! Wait what? Everybody was rocking Prince extensive catalog at time of his death.
- Making a bomb slow jam mixtape from his catalog.
- Experiencing “Another Lonely Christmas”.
- Laughing at my boy performing a Prince routine for a talent show complete with just a trench coat and briefs.
- Watching Julia Roberts sing “Kiss” in that hot tub in Pretty Woman. Her sexiest look.
- “Sometimes it Snows in April” in Spike Lee’s “Girl 6”, yeah I can dig good romance.
- Doing the “Jungle Love” and “The Bird” (Prince off-shot crew The Time) with a gang of females.
- Getting to know the very cool Maneca Lightner, poster girl for Prince’s Madhouse instrumental band. She used to model and be a burlesque dancer! Now she works with children. 🙂
- In the 35+ years absorbing Prince tunes certain philosophies and lessons seep into your consciousness. His music itself ran the gamut of funk, pop, rock, jazz, blues, etc. etc. he could just not be pigeonholed which was a force unto itself. Prince taught us life lessons in standing up for what you believe in, fair rights for artists, erasing racial and gender boundaries, sociability, sexuality and just downright being the unique being you want to be.
- Some lessons took a minute to sink in. As previously mentioned ‘1999” rocked from front to back. At pubescence I originally didn’t care for ‘Free’ as it was ‘boring’ and seemed out of place. It took me about five years later when we debated using the song for our graduation and facing the world that the message of the song started to take hold. It was recently after numerous wars, the fight with terror, many of our leaders and peers passing away that this song really hit home as we thank God for our blessings “Be glad that you are free, free to change your mind, free to go ‘most anywhere, anytime, Be glad that you are free there’s many a man who’s not, be glad for what you had baby, what you’ve got, be glad for what you’ve got.” This was the start of his social conscious movement and eventually his philanthropy that backed up his vocals. The very definitive of ironic, his compelling words will live on for entirety and remind us how lucky we are as inhabitants of this earth and that he was here to share it with us. Thank you Prince, we got it.
Why Dave Chappelle would be the Ultimate Late Night host.
Dave Chappelle came out of hiding recently to promote his new Radio City tour and surprised the world by wearing a suit. Not just any suit, a nice classy designer suit at that, i.e. Dolce Gabbana, Brooks Brothers type when he interviewed with Dave Letterman on June 11th, 2014. http://youtu.be/6wTa4lpyz6Q
People did not know who he was when he arrived. 
You see, for the last 20+ years Dave’s uniform has been pretty basic tee-shirts, jeans, sneaks, the occasional hat. We know Dave when we see him on the small screen, films, stages, at the Seven-11 getting a drink, he’s always the same. A suit? Didn’t realize he even owned one, even with all the riches he has amassed being one of the world’s most beloved but reclusive comedians living out in Ohio away from the limelight. Probably a closet full of sneaks, I can see that, probably a gizzillion tee shirts, I can see that. Designer suits? Crickets chirping comes to mind. If he had arrived in a Cosplay costume it would have been less surprising, questionable, but not as confounding.
What really sets Chappelle out from the pack of professional and amateur comedians is his realness, Dave is that funny ass kid that lives down the street that keeps you in stitches just seeing him. His simple facial/body reactions to situations results in hysteria, a roll of the eyes leaves audiences convulsing in laughing fits. Joke wise his comedic timing is impeccable, his pitch solid, its hard to tell what is scripted and what isn’t, it’s a natural feeling when watching him, he is the genuine thing. Why his legacy is so endearing.
It doesn’t surprise anyone his comedic plateau is still on the same elevated level. Yes, he ditched is beloved variety show ‘Chappelle’s Show’ way back in 2006, he hasn’t appeared in a film or television show since 2003 (Yes! Long time!), with a handful of stand up films and hosting a concert series, he hasn’t done shit on camera – but the audience still clamors for him like he is still on top of his game! His recent stage tour – sold out quickly even with high prices; coming in only second to Jerry Seinfield is a testament to his endurance. http://www.forbes.com/sites/jesselawrence/2014/06/17/dave-chappelle-tickets-for-nyc-run-second-most-expensive-comedy-tour-of-2014/
Dave is our dude, we respect him as a person and give well wishes for his need for privacy, at the same time we would love to have the opportunity to party with this man. As Chappelle spoke to James Lipton ‘Inside the Actors Studio’ “The higher up I went, the less happy I was. Once you get famous, you can’t get unfamous. You can get infamous, but you can’t get unfamous.”
http://www.today.com/id/11259024/ns/today-today_entertainment/t/chappelle-bares-all-inside-actors-studio/#.U6IacPldWZo
Such the curse of stardom, but in perspective; Dave our buddy next door, now donning tailored suits in 2014 looking more ‘Miami Vice’ than ‘Half Baked’ has matured into a wiser more knowledgeable father of three who lives on a farm – albeit we believe he can handle it.
Dave obviously loves to make people laugh, and now can do it on his own terms.
Can he be the force that changes the industry? Is he the poster child for talented people to avoid selling there soul for the sake of ratings and riches? Can you make that bling and still be a champion for the masses? Does their have to be so much pressure to bridge the fence or can we just enjoy his talent? You only live once right?
Dave in the tailored suit, hamming it up with Dave, and Jimmy, marketing his latest tour, he looked at home.
Dave recently went back to ‘Inside the Actors Studio’ and this time, he interviewed its famous host and dean, James Lipton – albeit in trademark jeans and a tee, he looked at home. http://youtu.be/cT7KWNGjMrM
Comparing the events, he echos the all time late night champ, Johnny Carson. Yes, I said it, the man every late night host looks up to, tries to emulate, tries to catch his very essence of being.
This could be his calling to continue his craft and cement his legacy. At the same time hold onto his sense of autonomous lifestyle with his family.
Even with all of the celebrity surrounding late night show hosts, who are all basically graduated comedians per say; they still don’t command the comparable scrutiny of tabloids such as TMZ, EW, and worse such as the Enquirer that falls upon our favorite movie stars. Yeah, sure Dave Letterman may stir up a bit of controversy with a mistook joke, or surprise, he has a wife and child – but no where the same frenzy of Tom Cruise or Angelina Jolie acting as a flawed human being we all are, and doing something deemed surprising that the tabloids attack upon.
The disturbed reporter who tried to kiss Will Smith and fondle Brad Pitt, he doesn’t harass Jimmy Kimmell or Seth Meyers. Meyers can go camping with his family in relative autonomy, he just happened to publish his own selfie’s about auto trouble.
The current talk of the country; Fallon was semi-successful in film but has blossomed into a credible talent hosting late night entertainment. While his boyish charm can be a bit offsetting when he gushes like a groupie over some of his interviews, it’s his variety skits that seal his infamy; molded directly from the SNL camp; perfect fodder for Youtube excerpts, news quotes and office chatter. Perfect for Fallon to build and keep his audience, good news for network executives to maintain a healthy rating share and retain advertisers.
Chapelle in comparison busted through the ionosphere with his own branded comedy variety show. The Chapelle Show broke records for a cable network and shot Dave from an indie favorite to the limelight. Why fans remain patient and anxiously await his return. Why he can command upwards of $200 for show tickets after years of silence. Not even Chris Tucker can pull that.
A Chappelle takeover of late night couldn’t even be compared with the recent demise of another comedian’s return to talk show form. Only comparison Chappelle would have with Arsenio Hall is that they are of the same race and would guarantee a high percentage of the urban audience. Other than that, their comedic styles are world’s apart. That would be like comparing the same audience as Fallon vs Steven Colbert who will be bowing in to challenge the former in 2015 when Letterman retires. Two different styles, same generic 18-49 audience the shows are targeted too, we will see how the tide flows once it begins.
A Chappelle late night talk show would dominate for several aspects:
*He is widely considered one of the best comedic forces of a generation. Even in seclusion his popularity has not waned. Through the web and DVD’s he gets passed on to the younger generation.
*His comedic skits catapulted him to infamy. Even with limited room on a talk-show format, his skits alone would be enough for rabid fans to tune in with record numbers and massacre the competition.
*His stand-up demands attention, regardless of maturity, his insane spontaneous bursts, his relatable take on the world @large, his visual aesthetics, his agreeable take on race, culture, politics – audiences love and support him. Regardless of a few naysayers who have hated on him, their malfunction stems probably from their disappointment of not having them bowing down to their beck and call. 
*Dave is relatable. A grounded individual, as said, the zany guy next door. Black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Indian, he’s our boy, our buddy. Why people believe he’s approachable, why he’s easy to talk too even if he’s cracking jokes on you. Dave has midwest roots, we’re everyday everyman out here. You see Dave at the gas station, long as you don’t approach him like a psycho and be cool he’ll be cool with you.
Being accessible, his persona supports captivating interviews. To ham it up with celebrities and influential people, evoke classic conversational pieces, pulling out emotions in a relaxed state, Dave has all the possibilities to channel Carson. He already has great taste in artists, expand on it.
*Dave could rest on his legendary status already. Within a short 10-year span he went from the bottom to the top, his stand-up and show sealed his fate. He’s touched the new generation through word of mouth and the ever-present media, dvd’s, Tivo, Youtube, Vimeo, Vevo, etc; etc; If a comedian can keep the same status by NOT doing anything – imagine the frenzy he would leave with a another daily gig.
*Best for him, with his net worth and legend status he can write his own ticket. If a network wants him, they better beg, roll, over and take a treat. Yes, they would have to be his bitch. He has that clout, the money bag advertisers know this, networks knows this, Dave knows this. They don’t want him to walk again, the contract will be solid, no BS, lay it on the table. That table has turned, he is driving now.
Which leads too, whatever he decides to do, whatever official comeback, whatever will top what he’s already accomplished; is he planning an official comeback or he goes J.D. Saligner on us again and retreats back to his safe haven. Stand-up is his roots, his tree of life, but any comedian knows to be up there with the greats such as Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby, Seinfield, one must keep building, keep being in the public eye, keep relevant. Kevin Hart is milking this right now, little man is everywhere and is reaping the benefits. On the other side Kat Williams had a few issues, fell out of the spotlight, and will understandably have a long road to return to his previous popularity.
That’s life in the public eye, if you answered your calling and achieved it, how you deal with it after you reach a certain plateau is how the world will forever remember you. If bucking the spotlight one of the most noblest things is to give back to society, be a philanthropist, a mentor, support a cause and embrace it. If you still want sold out shows when you’re in your 70’s like Cosby, keep working.
Note**CBS is currently holding the fate of the Late Late Show featuring Craig Ferguson in its hands. The comedian has announced his retirement as of Dec. 2014. No replacement has been announced. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2014/04/28/craig-ferguson-announces-he-will-leave-late-late-show-in-dece
Dave Letterman’s production company, Worldwide Pants, was holding the fate of its two premiere shows but CBS pulled its mega power and immediately announced Stephen Colbert would be taking over Letterman’s Late Show when he retires early 2015. Craig had been promised the show. The Late Late Show’s future is currently in limbo. While CBS played roulette with the syndicated Arsenio Hall show, they left him hanging after he was squeezed out by Jimmy Fallon taking over the Tonight Show. They need to save face as the public has been upset over this ill-advised decision for cancellation just months after publicly renewing Hall. If they don’t save Arsenio, they should offer this show to Chappelle. Dave is cool with Dave, they should bring it to the table together since the network dissed on both Ferguson and Hall. Would be a win win for everybody involved and be a historic moment.
He may have to smoke E-cigs while on a major network and tone down his profanity. Other than that, watch out, he would ultimately control late night.
Dave, what do you think? You down?
Why CBS should let Arsenio Hall take over the ‘Late Late Show’ in Dec when Craig Ferguson retires!
Convince CBS Television to let Arsenio Hall take over the ‘Late Late Show’ in Dec.!!!
Open Petition!! http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/convince-cbs-television-to-let-arsenio-hall-take
Television late night talk shows has claimed its 1st victim and unfortunately it’s our beloved Arsenio Hall!! http://highlighthollywood.com/2014/05/arsenio-hall-show-canceled-cbs-tv-distribution-changes-mind-on-second-season-highlight-hollywood-news/
Arsenio had just claimed a short lived victory as he came back from a lengthy television absence by having his new series renewed! (FEB 2014) Obviously, the fight for the coveted 18-49 year old viewers were destroyed when Jimmy Fallon took over the Tonight Show (Also FEB 2014). Despite having former Tonight Show host Jay Leno’s endorsement of Hall’s show renewed, instead it forecast his tanking just 3 months later!
We need to show CBS that we still love Arsenio!
Before, we could watch Arsenio and then flip the channel when Jimmy was @12:30 – now they are all head on with the other Jimmy, Mr. Kimmel all @11:30 vying for the same audience. Truthfully, with all of them doing the same thing it amounts to who has the guest(s) you want to see and either flip the channel or record one for later! It’s too much @once if you enjoy the raunchy late night shows and quite unfair, but competition is what it is.
Now CBS was different with the geriatric David Letterman vying for an older set audience – now even he’s announced his retirement to Stephen Colbert in 2015!! While Mr. Colbert can siphon some of the SAME 18-49 crowd, his show will ideally be more political minded and less loony then his late night peers putting him into a different category. He could possibly keep a lot of Mr. Letterman’s audience while bringing his from Comedy Central.
Which brings to this; Dave’s CBS late late night show buddy Craig Ferguson also announced his upcoming retirement in Dec 2014. No replacement has been announced as yet for this show. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2014/04/28/craig-ferguson-announces-he-will-leave-late-late-show-in-december/
The Arsenio Hall is distributed by CBS Television on CW and other affiliated channels, which put it at a more flexible status, thus easy to ‘let go’ when needed. Even stories in late 2013 on the late night battle seemingly omitted Hall’s presence on late night night even before his show was cancelled! Or, they felt he couldn’t stand up to it. That was a red flag!
Let’s show them Arsenio is better than ‘syndicated’ status!
Arsenio needs to be THE candidate to take over ‘The Late Late Show’ on CBS this Dec. 2014!
1. Arsenio’s core audience is loyal, we followed him from his debut in the 1990’s to his recent return.
2. The coveted 18-49 audience is merely stacked with too many choices @11:30. Arsenio would bring them in Late Late night from the two Jimmy’s and even Colbert keeping the party going. Seth Myers would not be a match. Do the numbers between the two.
3. CBS to CBS – come on, that should have been a given, save face and show the public you are not that ruthless and merely pull Hall from the shaky syndication game to full fledged operating network! Its still the same check right? Give him a raise for all the hassle!
4. Hall represents a change from the late night black hair, mid 40’s, funny white man powerhouse. Didn’t any network executives notice this blatant omission? No women or minority representation of any race are even remotely present this time of night. Most women seem regulated to daytime with the exception of cable’s Chelsea Handler. Even she would be nice to see on the majors. They all seem to be still reveling in the late night shadow of the beloved Johnny Carson. Carson even gave Arsenio a thumbs up back in the 90’s, concerned about his future! Carson was the blueprint and rightfully so, its 2014, let’s move on.
5. Speaking of which, while the numbers aren’t available, Hall is obvious loved online in the social media digital age, his shows are constantly tweeted and ‘liked’ on Facebook and YouTube seemingly more so than the others with the exception of Fallon with his funny ‘skits’. There should be some statistical data somewhere to show who rules in this arena.
Let’s get this cracking, let’s show CBS what’s up and bring the dogg pound back to late night prime-time! We’re his dogs and we need to support! Share this with everyone and bring it on! Maybe even some of his famous guests will sign! Heck, so should the Jimmy’s and Jay, Dave and Craig! Don’t think Seth Myers will lol, unless he wants to bring it! Let’s Go!
I’m going primary by the ratings game and demographics which is what these business executives look for in the bottom line. Case in point, when Arsenio Hall pulled great nights like with Prince his ratings was 0.6 over Jimmy Kimmel Live, Conan O’Brien, Chelsea Lately and tied with Ferguson and Seth Meyers. His average meter score is tied with Dave Letterman. It’s the 18-49 demographics that advertisers want and with him squeezed between Fallon and Kimmel in the same time slot it does not work. And with Colbert set to take the throne from Letterman next year its going to be a massacre. Look for Kimmel to be the next to go bye bye. If he goes to a smaller cable network like Own or TvOne he’s really going to disappear. Their reach is even smaller than the syndicated slot he just had. Being on a major network @12:35 with a lead like Letterman/Colbert ++ the current support he has would bring Arsenio to a whole another level. Sure he wanted earlier but that ship has sailed, the competiton there is cutthroat. 12:35 it just would be him against Myers, he could expand his craft and pull in advertisers that had wrote him off on the smaller syndicated show and ideally build on his viral presence much needed in today’s digital age. With mass support behind this It would be a brilliant move for CBS to pull him from the hasty decision and bring him back to host a major late night show.
Creator Of “The Boondocks”, Will Not Be involved in Fourth Season
Not sure if they will keep the same creative progressive niche without my man here, hope they studied well!
You may have to cut your celebration of the belated return of the controversial adventures of Riley, Huey and Grandad a little short. The Root is reporting that Aaron McGruder, creator and executive producer, has had no input in the upcoming fourth season of the Adult Swim series airing on the Cartoon Network. McGruder alleged on Facebook awhile back that the series had been “hijacked”.
Adult Swim issued an official statement:
“This season was produced without the involvement of Aaron McGruder, when a mutually agreeable production schedule could not be determined.”
The Boondocks is set to return on April 21 according to the series official Facebook page.
Both parties aren’t giving details on just what led to McGruder’s departure from the show that originally started out as a comic strip while he was in college at The University of Maryland. It was a cartoon that had bold commentary of African-American…
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Public Enemy was THE game changer.
Revolutionary. PE was the game changer.
They ushered in a new movement of rap music that was challenging to your mind, political, questioning of authority, questioning of our current state of mentally. It was the large question of, ‘okay, life’s a bitch – but what are you doing about it?’ It was a cry for activism. What made it work though was, even with all the subliminal and blunt messaging Chuck D voiced and Flava Flav undermined, the king and the joker, it was not preachy. Within the Shocklee brothers kaleidoscope of beats and Terminator X slicing, cutting and scratching over them respectively, all chopped up in a blender mix of rock, funk, odd ball sound effects assaulting your senses! Oddly, it worked, you could get down to P.E., dance, rock your jeep, play in your walkmans and jammed. Conscious lyrics worked with a hot soundtrack, you had no need to dumb down your message to appeal to the masses, it was incredible! One wonders how that concept got lost in post-P.E. heyday? Hip-hop to that point had its disco/funk side with the most political being Grandmaster Melle Mel with the Message, you had the harder side with Run-DMC dominating the charts with a then young LL cool J popping off at the lip to great success. Eric B & Rakim and Beastie Boys dominated in 87 when crazy, squealing, obnoxious noises blasted from boomboxes with PE’s ‘Rebel Without a Pause’. It was sick. I couldn’t even listen to it at the time and avoided their first CD ‘Yo, Bum Rush The Show’ as Black Panther Thugs, being middle American suburban/small town black – their concept was out of my comfort zone. P.E. was like a harsh bitter beer, they hit hard making you want to puke on first sips, but got easier to digest after you got curious and tried again. I was more open to them after visiting Times Square in NYC and buying fresh copies of De La Soul, Slick Rick and Boogie Down Productions. KRS was blending gangsta with militant but his banging Scott LA Rock production was more straight forward such as R.DMC and E & R which made him easier to digest. “Bass, how low can you go, Def Row, what a brother knows, once again back is the incredible…” Starting with those words, ‘Bring the Noise’ was the epitome of black dynamic. I like how another reviewer stated “Chuck D’s deep voice sounded like ‘the voice of God’.” Chuck D boomed out of your speakers dripped with such authority as an Army sergeant cussing you out, or your pissed off father about to whup your ass with a belt, you HAD to listen! ‘Bring the Noise’ ironically was the hook line and sinker that pulled me into their noise, fully committed to their blend of mayhem. At one point I could rap that song with Chuck word for word. It elevated the standards for hip-hop and music in general and with the Anthrax remix a year later, that cemented them as rap Gods. “Night of the living Bassheads’ was classic, placing you in the blurry vision of drug indicted zombies on our streets. Their music was rap-rock with its samples of guitars and screeches all combined in one. They definitely was ground – breaking which many artists today can’t even compete with, gangsta rap, even the great and late 2Pac (Pac was good but not great with his sporadic political mindedness, dwelling in more vengeful gangsta delights or juvenile craziness.) paled in their retroactive messages years later. Only N.W.A. and Ice Cube early work came close to having such a political force from the streets. Conventional gangsta rap affectiono’s don’t get it, P.E. and BDP and Rakim’s messages were 10x harder, but unfortunately went over most heads. I wore ‘Millions’ out song for song, beat for beat. I played them constantly on my college radio shows and when I hosted parties. P.E. went where I went. ‘Millions’ is on my list of top 10 life-changing albums of all time which I blogged about previously. Ironically, I went backwards and started jamming ‘Yo, Bum rush the Show’ right before ‘Feat of a Black Planet’ dropped. I met Chuck and Flava a few years later, after a Cincinnati show where my mutual friends Bonnie & Clyde opened for them. Like an excited groupie I wanted to express my thanks to Chuck for opening my eyes to political disparagement, activism, power of thought, I wanted to share our common love of broadcasting, art and good vibes. Unfortunately he was tired and grabbed his nightcap and quickly ditched me to the confines of his room. Bummer, even though I had chilled with other greats such as LL, Queen Latifah, MC Search, De La Soul, Digable Planets, Naughty By Nature, Aaliyah, Masta Ace and others with no issues, it was Chuck who I wanted to have a beer with and discuss worldwide politics and the state of hip-hop. In true gentleman fashion, bumming out a hotel bench, Flava Flav joined me to talk about life and shared a drink with me. Crazy as that man is, and as much flack as he gets, he’s a true homie. And this was after he got his sneakers stolen at the concert! Without ‘Millions’, that all wouldn’t have happened, but it did, and I (and many others) benefited greatly from their contribution. Keep rockin’ Chuck, ‘Say it How it Really Is’!
the hip-hop chameleon of mauritius
The Missing Link for the Dayton Arcade
The missing link for the Dayton Arcade May 18th 2013
By Christopher Joseph
As the Dayton Arcade has sat mothballed for decades, debated about suitable usages, incurred continuous insurmountable tax debt and the probable structural damage for the centuries old building, one thing remains certain; it’s still empty. An enormous hollow shell of its once formal grandeur of old, as ghosts of its glorious past whisper through the deserted eves.
This glory is what keeps this abandoned maze of buildings alive. It not only connects to Dayton’s history, its an amazing architectural feat only fully realized wandering through its vast corridors leading up to the fabulous middle arena under the rotunda. The decor in this room is one to behold and truly missed in the current revitalization of the inner city core. The maze of connected buildings cloaked behind a city block of normal downtown mediocrity is an amazing skill the architects don’t get enough credit for.
While the debate slugs along; What to do with this worthy classic building and who’s going to pay for it?
Ideas abound from returning shopping to it (never would compete with modern malls), office space (boring and un-needed), relocating the public library (nobel cause but not likely), maybe a downtown grocer (not logistical), a museum would be idea but with the excellent Dayton Art Institute nearby and other worthy museums wouldn’t gather much steam, a hotel, a flea market, blah blah they all wouldn’t have enough support or money.
The reason nobody can find appropriate funds for the desperate building; there isn’t a great idea to back up the fledging dream logistically.
The missing link is envisioning one usage that could fill all five halls. Something that would be worthy of the classic building, contribute to the inner-core of the city, have the funds to pay off the burgeoning debt, spark a huge revitalization unprecedented in all of the current ongoing projects.
Ideally, this usage would be something wanted and needed in our city, our region, our state. Something that would attract people from surrounding areas to travel here to again marvel in this unique center-point of Dayton.
Surprised this idea has not surfaced in the twenty years since closure, you ready for this? It hit me like a sack of bricks and I just had to shout it out to everybody.
Envision this; a university.
Not any university, Dayton is richly filled with excellent centers of higher learning such as The University Of Dayton, Sinclair Community College, Wright State University and many in the surrounding area such as Wilberforce University, Antioch College, Central State University, Wittenberg University and more in the countryside. Not talking the pay for education Kaplan, Southwestern or Miami-Jacobs either.
This university would have to be unique in stature, a niche school of high quality higher learning. A school that would attract students from a wide range of cultures, regions, backgrounds and skills convening in unison for one specific goal. A school that would fit into the current revitalization of downtown Dayton and more accurately the urban renaissance blossoming mere blocks away.
Get ready for it.
An ART university.
Imagine with me the prestigious glamour of a top rated art school occupying the Arcade. On the third street side colorful banners flowing from the impressive Gibbons front with students spilling out into the street showcasing their wares to the general public. Courtyard square filled with painters, musicians, dancers working for their grade.
Think of the concept of an Arcade besides the arches, its usually a group of stores or merchants displaying their wares (or video games etc.) Our school would use this central advantage as part of the students grade. On certain days the school would be open to the public to meander through the square as students dance, perform, display their craft in a festive atmosphere. With enough students, the performances would spill onto the sidewalks around the four openings, out to Courtyard square. This would enhance full downtown events such as Urban Nights, Art hops, holidays and celebrations.
Dayton, for a technology and manufacturing hub, has one of the healthiest art centers for a mid-size city. The area has always had a healthy music and performing art scene. The strength of the Victoria Theatre Association – including the Schuster Center, Culture Works, Dayton Art Institute, Dayton Visual Arts Center, Dayton Playhouse, and many art galleries and museums abound. Dayton was home to the Land of Funk music scene of the 1980‘s which dominated nationwide, while the indie rock scene bubbles healthy underground. The local village of Yellow Springs is an art haven. Graphic arts, the most promising game-changer of the genre, is growing by leaps and bounds. The local film scene is supported by gracious state-tax cuts and by local organizations such as FilmDayton and Cinema Arts Society. Stivers and K12 churn out groomed students seeking opportunities. Famous and upcoming writers, painters, poets, sculptors, etc; etc; call Dayton their home or started here. Not to mention the many talented inventors hailing from here, these game changers altered history, their contributions are indeed a form of art.
On the list of top art schools in the nation, Cleveland Art Institute is the only exclusive school devoted to the arts in Ohio. (Source US News, Top Fine Arts Programs) Other respectable entries include nearby Miami University and The Ohio University. Nearby Indianapolis has a top rated art school. Our school would represent southwest Ohio.
Of the delinquent taxes, upkeep of an one-hundred plus building, upgrades (within an historical building), what public oriented function is able to receive heavy funding from government and wealthy contributors? Education and art connoisseurs are high on that list. Benjamin and Marian Schuster gave life to the landmark art and cultural center. Ervin J. Nutter’s heavy contribution birthed the impressive Nutter Center Arena. People gladly give their hard earned money to education and art, its the perfect combo. Being secondary education, the government will have available funds as well.
This would benefit our area greatly, fill an empty void in our hearts as the grandeur of the Arcade has deteriorated under our watch. An arts school would not only restore this, but fill our lives with a new cultural center to cherish, educate our talented youth who may have instead venture to meccas such as New York or Los Angeles to reach their goals, infuse more money and interest into our downtown economy. A healthy school brings with it, students who live work and play within the area, business that open up to support this.
The original Arcade had apartments available to residents, these would be the initial dorm rooms. As the school grows, other vacant buildings in the area could be changed over to dorms. This would grow the downtown population by hundreds every school semester. Others could fill in more lofts and apartments across the area.
Of the great halls that face each block, the school would be easily divided into sections for performance/dance, visual arts, tech/film/broadcasting and music. The centerpiece would again be under the rotunda where they all convene for student performances and showcases, art, sculptures, or open to the public for events. The arcade concept again for students. An architectural gem such as the Arcade is a match made in heaven with art, so surprising again this has never been considered.
Not to take away anything from local art programs at Sinclair, UD or WSU they could collaborate on projects for support. Possibly, general educational programs would be done at Sinclair before completion of a Bachelors. They would be both downtown and in proximity. Smaller niche schools such as the International School of Broadcasting could be incorporated into the curriculum. Building an art school from scratch is a daunting but exciting collaborative effort I believe would be hugely substantial. The Victoria Theatre Association, Dayton Art Institute and other respected establishments would all be invited to be on the board of directors. Co-ops between downtown business and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base could intern Graphic Arts, Web designers and other technological art students. The Arcade would be upgraded into a digital hub benefitting the new renaissance of art.
A prestigious art school churning out top-notch students would be valued worldwide and a new city achievement to add to an impressive list. The time is now to get the ball rolling as the building deteriorates, taxes and funds stack up, interest is lost. Academic funds and support is out there. Antioch College recently came back from oblivion when its parent Antioch University pulled the plug from the fledging school. The support was massive to bring it back to life. While Antioch had alumni and supporters, arts does also and always needs new movers and shakers. I feel strongly this idea will garner stream and could become reality with the right team pushing it through.
I could say I’m an idealist and budding artist myself (writer, new book Road Kill out now! Can Google it!) and when something that feels right hits me, I run with it. After the recent push of a dedicated few to address the possibly of the Dayton Public Library moving to the Arcade, inspiration hit as I’ve always thought an art school would be excellent in our area. These ideas come to me from time to time and I share, people like my ideas, but oddly they get approved and implemented quietly and I may only get a ‘thanks’. I had recently suggested the city should link the Oregon District with the Third Street Cannery by buying the lot at the corner of Wayne and Fifth. I wrote over a dozen movers and shakers in the area, only one responded with a ‘thanks’. A few months later I see in the news how the land was bought for this service, no mention of who came up with it. I also dreamed up an idea for Aviator Park to complement Dayton’s creation of the airplane with an educational amusement park that could be built on McCook field. Only one person thanked me and silence.
This time, this idea is so large and beautiful I had to take it public. Inspired by the articles in the Dayton City Paper about the library/arcade I am sharing this with everybody. The magnitude of this is large and life changing and I would love to be a part of it.
I even have a perfect name.
Get ready for it.
THE ARCADE ACADEMY OF THE ARTS UNIVERSITY or Triple AU for a nickname. I can see the banners and flags draped over the grand entrances and skywards to the awesome rotunda. The name is classy and prestigious while honoring the history of the arcade. I believe the arcade founders would be proud. The Arcade Academy would be a historical landmark educational facility for art and cultural life, leaving a legacy for students and generations to come. What else could you do with this historic one hundred plus year old building? I hear cicadas. Let’s make it happen!
Sincerely;
Christopher Joseph
http://cjxauthor.wordpress.com/
Camping 4 All Viral Marketing Campaign
http://www.viddler.com/v/4d19a2e
My mock video for Camping 4 All’s line of gear. Done initially for my Viral Marketing Campaign through Full Sail University. Appreciate your thoughts and comments on it! Used my family 🙂
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