Twittering Music

Remember that post I did on Twitter. Well, I've found more sites to help explain Twitter's potential in helping market music to the masses. Check them out:

techcrunch.com

bob-baker.com

Is This The New Napster?

CNN recently wrote an article about a teenager creating a free music service. Sounds familiar. Muziic is a new interface that allows you to play YouTube clips as high quality MP3 files. Yes, you can play those rare performances from artists like Chaka Khan or those unreleased songs from artists like Brandy. This idea seems so simple and pragamatic that it makes me ponder this question: "Why didn't YouTube think of this already?" Obviously, Muziic doesn't equal Napster or Limewire in popularity, but I'm sure the record labels are already preparing for legal action. Or maybe the labels have learned their lesson--to turn every threat into an opportunity.

If I Want It, I'll Pay For It?

Don't you just love the Internet? Especially, its excessive capabilities. I can watch any TV show I've missed during the week on it, which beats Tivo any day. But what's more interesting is the ability to utilize the Internet as a launching pad for new products, particularly as of lately, the marketing of products with webisodes. The first effort for launching a product I've noticed is from the Chevrolet Traverse with 2 -minute webisodes of My Manny (which has the potential of becoming one of my favorite TV shows). But what's really caught my attention is the partnership between Honda and Mickey Factz. The website is centered around a show named Rhymes & Reasons which spoofs the late night show genre. I know many of you are like, "Hip Hop and a Honda Accord?" But the concept is very clever and probably more lucrative for the up-and-coming rapper Mickey Factz. The best thing about the website though is the FREE MUSIC. But will I buy either of these vehicles? Probably not. But it'll spark interest in those in search of a new vehicle. Just ask my mother. She just purchased a Traverse.

Miracle At St. Anna--Another Classic Spike Lee Joint

Spike Lee is an artistic visionary more so than he's a cleverly opinionated rebel. So, any of his theatrical adventures are worth watching, and his latest, Miracle At St. Anna, is no exception. Based on the book written by James McBride, the movie maintains the integrity of a great book that keeps your attention from beginning till end. It might take you a while to understand the full concept, but once you've watched it in its entirety, you'll fully understand Spike's vision. It's on DVD now.

Some Maury Povich Shhh!

Want to know the definition of "ghetto fabulous?" Syleena Johnson. On Chapter 4: Labor Pains, Syleena takes her presumptive baby daddy to the Maury show for a DNA test. No. It's not what you're thinking. She actually performs her song "Maury Povich" with Cold Hard of Crucial Conflict, which results in some hilarious entertainment...at least to me. Matter of fact, I'm going to start a petition right now to make this the theme song for the show. It would be so funny to hear that song being played right after Maury's signature proclamation: "YOU ARE NOT THE FATHER!"

Cool Video: Only U

Here's a cool video from an artist in New Orleans. His name is Elliot Luv. The video explains the feelings a man goes through when facing the challenges of falling in love. Check out his MySpace for more info.

Elliot Luv -Elliot Luv Blaque - Only You

I Love Soul Music

There is a great amount of soul missing in today's music. The type of music that makes you want to cry, scream, and fall in love. Yes, there has been a resurgence in retro-soul from across the Atlantic (Amy Winehouse, Adele, etc.). But I'm not talking about that genre of soul. I'm talking about the type of soul music that speaks to and for this generation. We're in an economic crisis. There are wars and rumors of wars. And there seems to be a cultural disconnect between man and woman. But there is very little soul helping us explain the hard times. Marvin Gaye's What's Going On and Stevie Wonder's Innervisions are classics that gave sentimental hope to thoses looking for a better future. Now, everything is sexualized and glamorized (e.g. "Bust It Baby"). The same can be said about hip hop. Where are the Public Enemy's, NWA's, and LL Cool J's? Where is the innovation that made Mary J. Blige's My Life? (Diddy?) I really miss soul music. Don't get me wrong. There still are artists keeping soul music alive: Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, Alicia Keys. But that's not enough. Hip Hop Soul needs to be resuscitated back into life.