Millie Forte - The Fall

A few weeks ago Millie Forte released a new track titled "The Fall" and for a while I couldn't fully get into the song. Despite my uncertainty about the track I found myself continuing to play it, over and over and over again. Millie's beat, with its satellite blips, synth flutters, warbles and keyboards, and pounding drum patterns, is so minimal that at times it seems as though it's lacking a layer of depth to its sound. It's as if the beat is playing peek-a-boo with you before it fully reveals itself.

But if the the beat is the reserved glimpse into the song then the lyrics are the heartfelt reveal. It's here where Millie finds depth within himself by displaying the jaded soft heart of a man who's felt love's burn. With a weary candor the star child sings freely about his fear of falling in love, once again, "Going no where / Too afraid to love again, like being free / But without love, find me bitter / Just a broken complexity"

Even underneath that fear is a man who, despite his apparent diamond hard skin, still desires love,"I won't let you in / And I won't let it out / And I talk a lot of shit / But that's irrelevant / I just wanna feel something heaven sent / Hell, I just wanna feel."

It's that sincerity that keeps you listening and waiting patiently as the beat eventually mesmerizes you with it's subtle embrace and his lyrics lock you in. Before you know it, you've fallen for the song."Just a broken heart falling from above / Didn't know what love was, Now I do / It's the fall (down yeah)."

Check out "The Fall" at Millie's MySpace page.

http://www.myspace.com/MILLIEFORTE

*Side Lipton: I would REALLY love to hear this song performed with a live orchestra and backing band. It would be EPIC!*

Watch Me, Baby... ;-]

Do you really need anything other than a watch???

Looking at Spanish model, Jon Kortajarena, it's obvious you don't. In the ultra sexy editorial, "Carré Privé," for Vogue Hommes International Kortajarena lubes...I mean...OILS up and strips down to a tiny bath towel as he models some of this season's most luxurious black watches. Photographer, Mikael Jansson, does a fine job of showcasing the watches considering that I actually took the time out from staring at Kortajarena's (sexy) body to look at them. I also love the torn and tattered look of the pages. It really gives them a well "used" look...*wink wink*

Mmmmmm WATCH me daddy...I mean, baby....I mean.....Nipple.... ;-]

*I don't even care that his nipples are hairy...they're still HOT!*

*OMG this is such an orgasm shot...where's my lube???*

Chanel Iman & Sessilee Lopez - The Bombshells of Allure

Blonde bombshells are out and black (hair) bombshells are in for Allure Magazine's October editorial "Bomb Shells." For this upcoming winter season the new trend is the little big coat and who better to rock this look than two of the fashion industy's hottest bombshells, Chanel Iman and Sessilee Lopez. Together they peer, strut and pose across the streets of New York for photographer, Regan Cameron, in slick leather, vibrant wools and (to my absolute detest) fur (BOOOOO!!!). The girl's provide the perfect yin and yang to the images as Chanel gives thoughtfully inspired poses and melancholy face shots while Sessilee gives the images a bit of life with her wide-eyed, innocent "face" and allure (SMILE with those eyes!).

...*cue corny ending*...It's Da Bomb!...*cricket chirps*...

Joi - A Return To The Pendulum Vibe

*See larger image here*

Back in 1994, Joi, a little known singer from Atlanta (Originally Nashville, TN) was set to take the world by storm. A then protégé of Dallas Austin, Joi was to become his next big star, following in the paths of fellow ATL acts Monica and TLC. But unlike her musical sisters Joi was the wild card in Austin’s musical deck, the strange one who favored experimentation and edge. “I had a vision of a very creative girl, someone who would be a leader, who could write and improvise. Joi was the one I was looking for. Creatively Joi is like my soul mate,” explained Austin back in 1995.

To put it in contemporary perspective Joi was to music what Erykah Badu was in 1997, what Kelis was in 1999, what Res was in 2001, and what Janelle Monae and Solange are now; A black woman who’s idea of music defies stereotypical norms and embraces different styles, genres and ideas. Joi and Austin set out to create something innovative, limitless, and ultimately creative. In a mere three weeks they were able to create her underground classic debut, The Pendulum Vibe.

Helmed by Joi, Dallas Austin, Diamond D., Rondal Rucker and Chris Wolfe, The Pendulum Vibe was a near masterpiece of heavy soul, funk, rock and, oddly, classic latin music that spoke of love & heartbreak, self-discovery, liberation and sexual freedom. As Joi herself put it, "The album is serious."

Right from the jump Joi tackles heavy issues such as racism and empowerment on the opening tracks “Stand” and “Freedom.” On the latter (which was remade [twice] as the theme for the Panther Soundtrack) Joi sings emphatically about rising against racial oppression, “You try to tell me that my life ain't worth a damn / But I know much better / And so I'm gonna take my freedom.”

Shifting gears from social issues Joi reflects upon her own worry and self-doubt on the albums lead single, “Sunshine and The Rain.” Over heavy bass, steely guitar riffs and haunting synth wails, Joi sings the blues of her pressure to be successful, “Feels like the come up is way too tight / Chokin’ and squeezing my life, every time / I’m feeling that pressure.” Joi’s dark rock take on life’s strain is enchanting, so much so that after hearing this song Lenny Kravitz asked her to go on tour with him.

Besides fighting self-doubt Joi also sings of her struggles to find self-love and understanding of herself. Over the upbeat jingle bells, synth flutters and snare hits of “Found My Niche” she professes her love for the woman and artist she’s become. “Find Me,” provides an even more interesting beat full of bongo hits, flute runs, guitar licks, and playground noises, as Joi repeatedly declares that “I must find me.” Spoken like a true sage to be.

While on a search to find herself Joi’s also looking for a healthy love to call her own and laments about its absence on cuts like “Fatal Love Sick Journey” and “I Don’t Mind.” On the strangely upbeat “Memories” she revisits the frequent bittersweet memories of a former lover, singing, “I wish I knew / why you are doing this to me / always taking me back to where I wish I could be.” Sonically it’s as sunny as a Sunday afternoon but Joi’s lyrics are as melancholy as the lonely nightfall that follows.

Where Joi embraces her true heartache is on the record, “If We Weren’t Who We Were.” Choosing to forgo any help from her band, Joi, instead, sings a cappella and lays it all on the line as she vents about the pain of a failed relationship; “If we weren’t who we were / there would not be two hearts broken from lies / tortured by fear and pride / honesty has nothing to hide / if we weren’t who we were.” It’s Joi at her most vulnerable place and possibly her most beautiful.

From beautiful to genre-bending, Joi pushes the sound of black music into uncharted territory as she delivers an a cappella rendition of the ancient latin motet, “Adoramus Te, Christe,” by Gasparini. It’s both pleasing and haunting listening to her sing such a peaceful piece of classical music.

Perhaps the most daring track on the album is “Narcissa Cutie Pie” a mesmerizing ode to love for the same gender. Over sampled drum and snare hits, romantic keyboards and erotic saxophone lilts Joi reveals her desire to make love to another woman, singing, “I, I want her and I don’t know why / I guess I’m another victim of narcissa cutie pie.” As the song reaches its bridge the instrumentation and sexual tension swells and Joi wails, “They all love what it feels like inside of my thang / both sides pull me deep in both directions / they can’t get enough of me.” This is what a bisexual anthem and an eargasm should sound like.

Like the stories it presented The Pendulum Vibe was that mix of bittersweet joy that is life. It was the sway between pain and pleasure, happiness and sorrow, Sunshine and the Rain. Above all it was good music and heralded as the new sound of R&B.

Despite such glowing critical acclaim and Joi’s “it” girl status the album sold less than 100,000 copies in the U.S. Although mainstream listeners didn’t get it other artists, particularly one “Material Girl,” did. After hearing The Pendulum Vibe Madonna was so inspired by Joi’s sound that she completely altered the direction of her Bedtime Stories album and hired Dallas Austin and Babyface to give her album a similar R&B feel. She also helped convince legendary designer, Calvin Klein, and photographer, Steven Meisel, to hire Joi and she became the first black model to appear in a major CK print campaign.

After 15 years the album is now out of print but if you can find it online (Amazon) I HIGHLY recommend you get it. It’s worth every discounted or inflated penny. If you want to get a taste of the album's sound check out the link and the videos below.

Joilicious (Just scroll through and find the songs on the media player on the left or find the album in the media section.)

For Real??? Shut The Fuck Up!

.....Cuz sometimes you just don't believe....

Flashback: Al B. Sure - Nite and Day

Even with that unibrow Al B. Sure was one sexy motherfucka.

Al B.Sure - Nite And Day
Uploaded by missLona. - Explore more music videos.

Al B Sure. Nite And Day [Live.1989]
Uploaded by capitainfunkk. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

....Yeah, I would've thrown my drawers at him.

*Side Lipton: I love that little butt wiggle he does at the beginning. You better shake your ass you SEXY unibrow having chunky monkey!!*

The Sexy Boys of Baby Phat

I saw Baby Phat's Spring 2010 "Moroccan Nights" collection...eh. Clearly I was less concerned with the fashions and more concerned with the topless men and their very...VERY...appetizing bodies.

Anderson Noel

*As if she matters. Look at that STRONG backside...and that cute bum!!*

Oraine Barrett

Don't know his name. Don't care. He's HOT!

The Pretty Boys of Ralph Lauren Spring 2010

Continuing in my love of women's clothing (As if clothing has a gender!)I would sooooo wear this Ralph Lauren outfit...at least from the knee up (And I'm not even a suit kinda guy). I think I'd go with a different shoe/heel, though. Maybe all black or a deep navy. Anyhoo, Ralph Lauren did a great job with this outfit and Chanel wore it oh so well down the runway.

The theme of Ralph Lauren's collection seemed to be midwestern farm style meets blue jean elegance meets refined tomboy fresh. In my opinion he could've done without the blue jean elegance and the midwestern farm look. The real McCoy was in the aforementioned tomboy stylings. It was elegant with a "masculine" edge and I can see anyone (boy, girl, boy/girl, other, neither) wearing those looks.

*I just thought this was one was cute*

See the rest of the collection in the video below.

*Side Lipton: Janet Jackson was sitting front row with the Lauren family. Check her out at the end of the video*

Diane Von Furstenberg Spring 2010

If I had bigger balls...or a vagina...I would wear this collection. For her Spring/Summer collection Diane Von Furstenberg maintained her multi-culturally inspired aesthetic and pulled inspiration from various Asian, African and South American fashions and presented a mish-mash of bold and colorful designs. Diane knows her colors and prints and used them well with splashes of bright solids and rainbow bright accessories. Even the styling for the show was impeccable. The make-up was perfection and the flower inspired hair pieces were beautifully done with golden stems and multi-colored flower petals to match the clothes. To top it all off she let the models rock simple and natural (looking) hair. One model, Rose Cordero, even rocked a natural afro. YAES!!

Sessilee Lopez

Georgie Baddiel

Rose Cordero

Anna Cleveland (Daughter of pioneer black model, Pat Cleveland)

Aminata Niaria

Chanel Iman

Liu Wen

Coco Rocha

Lakshmi Menon

Arlenis Sosa Peña

Here's a video of the full fashion show.

Dancing With Her Brother, Again

Janet Jackson KILLED it during her tribute to her brother, Michael. No other performance that night permeated with such raw emotion. I think everyone who saw this performance had a smile on their face as they stared at their TV screen. I'll ALWAYS root for Janet AND Michael.

New Music - More Music Videos

*Those dance lines were SICKENING!*

How I Remember 2Pac

I was only 10 when Pac died so my memories of him are shaped through the eyes of a child. But I remember the time and the music. I remember my brother and sister and how they LOVED him. Almost EVERYONE we went to school with loved him. He was clearly a voice for the people. I remember looking back at his life throughout the years and thinking that he was a myriad of things; Powerful, militant, crazy, an asshole, a leader, a (SEXY) lover, highly intelligent, and one of the dopest lyricists.

Everything about him seemed so urgent and passionate. However, I remember seeing a picture before his death and the look in his eyes was that of someone who was sad and tired. In a way I thought he wanted death. Looking at what he'd been through, the state of hip-hop at the time and the media's influence on it, it would be reasonable to assume he would want such solace. But seeing interviews of him from around that time there was still a fire in him. That unrelenting passion that's always associated with Pac.

In the end what I remember is a man and a lyricist who was all at once many things to many people and what I know is that 13 years later I can look back with the eyes of an adult and see that he changed Hip-Hop and the world around him.

2Pac - I Get Around
Uploaded by tupacalypse_now. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

2 pac - keep your head up
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A Double Dose Of Latin Love

Providing yet ANOTHER stunning editorial this month Vogue Hommes Japan shines a spotlight on gorgeous latin models Pablo Contreras and Junior Carrasquillo. Pablo, who's signed with Re:Quest models, a relatively new face in the world of high fashion has made a good amount of waves in the industry as the face of Givenchy and walking in their show last season and garnering editorials in OUT magazine, Contributing Editor, Vogue Italia and of course, Vogue Hommes Japan. This handsome, edge and sexy beauty is giving a new definition to the word mesmerizing.

Junior Carrasquillo is an even newer face in the industry, having just recently signed with Red Models last season. Although he's a newcomer this angel faced (and slightly androgynous) stunner has already walked exclusively for Givenchy and now has his first Vogue editorial.

Check out more pics of the boys below.

Pablo Contreras

*Really Givenchy??? A burp/I'm partially brain damaged shot???*

Junior Carrasquillo

*...God he'd make SUCH an androgynously beautiful/MANLY woman!*

Life Without Rules

Some things are just simply beautiful. They require no fluff, no dazzle, no elaborate description...they just are. For Vogue Hommes Japan, photographer, Mariano Vivanco and stylist, Shun Watanabe, have created just such a thing with their editorial "Life Without Rules." The simplistic images straddle the lines between worlds of abstract cool, retro funkiness, soft elegance and erotica with ease and flow. And while not all of the fashion choices Watanabe has selected may break any serious fashion rules it's still interesting to imagine these men walking down the street as heads turn and roll...Oh the fashions!

*Can you IMAGINE a guy walking down the street in these pants?? Dick imprint heaven!*

*This is just BEAUTIFUL*

*So beautiful...god I love his nipples!*

*...I'm not even gonna ask what that white ashy shit on their lips is...*

*They look like a young gay couple from Paris circa 1993...and I LOVE it!*


You can see the rest of the editorial HERE