Imported from Detroit: Enough Said

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Never ashamed. There is no place like home. #detroitstandup

August 29, 2010 - Will she be back?

What young girl was changed by Lauryn Hill's first solo album?

The Miseducation was probably the first album I really LISTENED to. My virgoness kicked in back in '98 and I became obsessed. I wanted her hair, her lipstick, her swag. I wanted to be her.

The obsession eventually tinkered down to an admiration for what I saw as a young and wise black woman who represented what it meant to stay true to yourself.

I've seen L. Boogie live twice, and every opp I get, I'll see her again.

So I was elated when Rock the Bells announced she would be on the tour and in DC on August 29th.

I could have cared less about Whitney's comeback, but this, this right here, I'm on pins and needles waiting for a new album.

Listen to her interview on NPR's All Things Considered here... http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128149135

Why BET?

Now, I only saw the middle of the BET Awards last night, but really BET, why are your productions STILL so low budget?

I'm not into watching videos and I really don't know who sings the songs I like unless my XM radio tells me who they are, but I tuned in last night for the hell of it.

These were my observations:

1. Did TI not see "Set it Off," I was really irritated that he kept calling Queen Latifiah "Chloe" and "Cleo" during their skit.

2. I'm glad Kiki Palmer has parents. I was very pleased to see her dressed like a teenager. Lil girl has a banging body - glad she is keeping it age-appropriate.

3. Diddy Dumb Moveover - Will someone please escort him to the retirement lane. Yes, he is still producing hits and whatever else he does, but other than Ciroc - I need Diddy Dum Dum to fall back.

4. Oh Johnny boy, I have mad love for your music and your generous heart, but I have no love for your barber. Boo, what was going on with the hairline? As a part of the contract you have worked out with your Beard (the gorgeous woman on his arm), she should have told you to get that fixed.

5. Mr. Anderson, you are neither light skinned nor rocking the wavy so please don't put yourself in the same category as El Debarge. And speaking of, who was expecting that comeback? As I said last night, Whitney should have been on that cheap ish like the Debarge's because homeboy looked good and sounded more than decent.

6. Debra Lee you need a new speech writer and stylist. #thatsall

7. Shame on BET for the commemoration of Gary Coleman and Lena Horne.

8. Tyrese - please sing again. You did Teddy P. good last night although I was mad that the no names in the front were too stank to stand up.

9. Alicia, Alicia, Alicia - hair dyed, stripper shoes, non-maternity attire. NO NO and NO.

10. First time i've ever seen Nicki Minaj's face - no comment.



10. STANDING EFFING OVATION for my Puma crush (i'm not old enough to be a cougar). Chris Brown deserved to be on the stage last year and every other stage that paid tribute to the greatest. Most people know I never stopped supporting Chris because my sentiment is (WARNING: I DO NOT SUPPORT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AT ALL, BUT) sometimes a B*^$# just needs to be beat. It's such a long story on why I feel that way, but this isn't about that. This is about a very young man who made a mistake, a really big mistake, but a young man who deserves to still be recognized for the God-given talent he possesses. I wanted to cry with him and for him as he tried to get the words out to "Man in the mirror" - it was so heartfelt and I couldn't help but feel proud of him. Yes, I'm team breezy all the way unlike you fair weather fans who decided to jump back on ship after last night. His skill, talent, and entertainment value never left - what left was the world's understanding that we build these child stars up only to break them down.

I didn't catch the Prince tribute, but I did kinda watch Drake um, not sure what to call it because he is so not a performer, but that, yeah, I saw that.

Remembering Michael

June 25, 2009

I left work early to finish some last minute errands. I still needed a black clutch and some eyelash glue, haha. Bet, there was a Dots right next to the beauty supply store. (yes, to my surprise Dots is still in business.) That statement alone should let you know that I was living in the heart of Detroit at this time.

I got home with a few minutes to spare before I needed to take off for the airport. Vegas was awaiting my arrival.

It had only been two weeks since my surgery so I still wasn't moving that fast. I threw the final items in my luggage and started checking Twitter. And there they were...

My tweeps were saying that Michael Jackson was in the hospital. The KING OF POP was in critical condition. I immediately sat on my bed and turned on the TV - it couldn't be true.

My parents generation remember John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. Well, I remember exactly where I was when I heard the tragedies of Tupac, Aaliyah and Michael Jackson.

Everything was still speculation as my father drove me to the airport. I couldn't even think about what was to come with my first trip to Vegas because all I wanted to know was - was he alive.

Twitter was saying yes...but I was holding out until CNN confirmed. I refused to believe my beloved micro-blogging haven.

But by the time I passed thru security and walked toward my gate, it was all too apparent. Every TV in the airport was covering THE DEATH OF MICHAEL JACKSON.

I distinctly remember one janitor, who looked like he had just lost his brother, he was overwhelmed with sadness and looked at me and sad, "sis, I can't believe it."

Arriving in Vegas was a bitter sweet moment. Impersonators were out and MJ music was blaring. It was very nostalgic.

How about you, do you remember the time?

Well worth it

I've been known to do some things or buy some things that make people say hmmmmm. Well, splurging on a fantastic ticket to see Maxwell & Jill Scott is something I did recently. But the crazy part isn't that i'm kinda-sorta-unemployed and I paid lots for the ticket. The insane part is that I went alone.

Let me restate that, I, as in Victoria Lynn Holmes aka Tori aka VH1 aka Cheeks, went ALONE. This is mos def a DC Tori thing because back in the D/WB - I barely go to CVS alone.

Best part was that when I got to the Verizon Center and got my Double Goose Gimlet - I could care less:) I was doing me.

The concert was amazing. Not on some let's get hype, white boy wasted type of high, but on a real talk, grown, sexy, emotional, speak to my soul kind of high.

I left the concert that night with these thoughts:

1. Jill is NO JOKE. Beyonce who? This songstress exudes beauty that can't be bought. Her voice almost had me in tears and her words are so sincere. She catapulted herself up there with my all-time fave Lauryn Hill.

2. Say what you want. Maxwell can be gay. He can be the Jolly Green Giant for all I care. What I know is that I didn't even need to see him perform. I closed my eyes and listened to him sing REAL MUSIC - the kind that sent a chill down my spine. He can get it anyday...

Alicia said it best

Today is one of these days...