Thought for the Day from Mom Dukes

Mom Dukes says:

"A keen sense of humor helps us to overlook the unbecoming, understand the unconventional, tolerate the unpleasant, overcome the unexpected, and outlast the unbearable."



There' s a lot of unbecoming, unconventional, and unpleasant things (*cough*andpeople*cough*) in my life, but nothing seems to be unbearable. Its worse when I bring them upon myself, but as for the things I have no control over, I figure I should fix if I can, leave it be if I can't.

Music is extremely theraputic for me, and I realized when I was "goin' though it" recently that if you put your iTunes on shuffle, and turn your speakers up just below as loud as they'll get, the song you need will find you. And it'll feel amazing.

In my latest period of self-realization (aka being depressed in my room), the song that gave me a loving slap in the face was "Smile" by Tupac and Scarface. All I needed was the first thirteen seconds of the song, in which the late-great told me this:

"There's gon' be some stuff you gon' see, that's gon' make it hard to smile in the future. But through whatever you see, through all the rain and the pain, you gotta keep your sense of humor. You gotta be able to smile through all this bulls**t. Remember that."

So to Tupac I say:

Dear Mr. Shakur,
Thanks for the advice. I'll try my best.

-Cousin Chris

Ain't He Though?

Jay-Z - Aint I

F'in tell me about it...

Pacific Division - "Women Problems"

That's deep...

Sorry I had to jack this from your page, Whit, but people need to know! And for the record, I almost choked on my Cinnamon Toast Crunch when I saw this on your page. I don't know about selling my grandmother's soul, but I'd definitely risk getting evicted for this.

Pop Up Video

So by now, it should be apparent to everyone how much I love music. As far as I'm concerned, its this only drug that you take in through your ears and can make you feel high for weeks at a time. If you doubt me, think back to the last album you bought (or illegally downloaded) that you played so much for some period of time, that you found yourself not really wanting to hear anything else... Okay, maybe that was a stretch and I'm the only one who's done that. Regardless, music seems almost unavoidable to me. It stalks me and creeps up on me in the wierdest places and I love it.

I was born in what may be the greatest year ever: 1988. So if you do the math, that means that most of my up-bringing and almost all of my fondest memories are from the 90's. Personally, the 90's birthed three great things that even in 2008, I still can't get over: music, kicks, and TV shows (specifically Nickelodeon... don't get me started on that again).

So due the fact that music in the 90's has played and still plays such a huge role in my life, I've decided to pay homage to it by posting a song or video from this great decade on my blog, every week. And what better name for these themed posts other than "Pop Up Video"?

Let's begin...

The first vid is "Ice Cream" by Wu-Tang. Everyone was pretty amazing on this song but Method and Ghostface killed it. I wish hardcore rap was still like this. Also, check out the video chicks. Don't they look mad classy compared to video hoes in today's wack rap videos?

(shout out to BET. keep 'em coming)

Since this is the first Pop Up Video post, I might as well bless you with two. This song is dedicated to Donovan and Hazel.

Flyer than I

I realized over the past break that I have some of the best friends in the world. I even try to keep a tight circle of associates. I try to draw my creativity and inspiration from those I spend time with and today's featured presentation is a perfect example of why. Enjoy.




*ps - I'd like my Georgetown shorts back, Stacks.

I Come Bearing Gifts

Rumor has it I'm a little late on some of these tracks, but I really don't care if you don't. I don't know about you, but I've been dying for some new music to over play. Luckily for me (and my well being), I found some. Can you say "multiple ear-gasms"?...

My absolute favorite song off of Kanye's Graduation album is, hands down, "Flashing Lights" (I know, I know... me and millions of other people, right?). It was only a matter of time before a halfway decent cover of this track came out. And I have two.

The first is from my man (fi'ty grand) from The District, Wale. He did damage on "Nike Boots" (Wale - "Nike Boots" (zShare)) last year and even the "Nike Boots Remix w/ Lil' Wayne" (Wale - Nike Boots (Remix ft. Lil Wayne) (Y.S.I.)) ... even though dumb a** Lil' Wayne's verse had nothing to do with the song. Anywho... Wale did a cover of "Flashing Lights" and it's everything you would expect from him... whatever that may be.

Wale - Flashing Lights

The second cover is by this guy Colin Munroe. I don't know a lot about the guy but I first heard him on Whitney's blog (Sarcasm in Human Form) on Wednesday when she posted his video, which is pretty decent as well. I did some research and his resume is actually pretty impressive. It turns out he writes and produces all of his own music AND plays all the instruments. If i had a hat on right now, I'd tip it to this guy.

I Want Those Flashing Lights (Kanye West Cover)

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The song is by my future ex-wife, Ms. Lily Allen. What can I say? I'm a sucker for females with shoe game.

Naive (The Kooks Cover)-Lily Allen
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Over this past winter break I decided to adopt Andre 3000 as my new role model. He jsut seems like the type of person that I wouldn't mind taking a lesson or two from. His style is unique and he owns it, and his music is worth listening to. I mean, really listening to (Check out his verse on "What a Job" and the whole "A Day in the Life of Benjamin Andre"). Many of you probably remember Outkast's song "Da Art of Storytellin' ". I mean, they had two different versions of the song so you should remember at least one of them. The most memorable, of course, is the one they did with hip hop great, Slick Rick, whom I always felt wrote his verse for me (Throwing things, yelling in a mad high pitch/ Here we go again with this psychopath b**ch/ The neighbors will hear you, you misfit/Can't disagree with the b**ch without this s**t.). Well now there's a "Da Art of Storytellin' pt. 4. Don't ask me where part 3 is. I don't know.

outkast - da art of story tellin (part 4).

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wait! i have one more but i'm being kicked out of the computer lab right now. damn pigs....

History in the Making

Thanks for the link, Donovan.

Don't hold your breath!

If this doesn't put at least a smirk on your face, you're no friend of mine.

Why can't life always be this easy?

As some of you may know, I just got back from an amazing vacay in Jamaica. I have family in Kingston, Clarendon, and Morant Bay so I've been there a couple times before and I always have fun. However, this trip was fun for completely different reasons than the usual.

For one, I went with my absolute best

friend in the world, the only person who refuses to quit me no matter how much I "F" up: Mom Dukes. Now understand, all the other times I've been to JA I went with my dad, and we get it in. That's where we bond the hardest and its always a great. But it turns out, my mom is NO stanger to a good time and knows exactly how to have fun on a resort. Which brings me to my next point...

When people go to Jamaica and stay on a resort THEY BUG OUT!!! Especially those damn Canadians (kidding, of course...). Free alcohol and melanin deprived vacationers do not mix well... or do mix well, depending on what you're into. Nonetheless, if it weren't for all the characters that I met while down there I definitely wouldn't have had as much fun. Its kinda funny because due to late nights, open bars, and enless games of dominoes, I was more exhausted than I've ever been; but at the same time, thanks to beautiful beaches and a clear blue sky and ocean (and a maxed out iPod), I was more relaxed and meditative than I've ever been. It was honestly exactly what I needed. And it helped that time moves in slow motion in Jamaica.

With all that said, I'm actually really happy to be back home (Maryland, that is). Jamaica helped me realize that insignificant stress is just that: insignificant. I'm in no way a perfect person but I'm so happy to be who I am, and negative people are really unattractive to me right now. And to those naturally negative people who are reading this, don't be offended when I ignore. Seriously.

"Open your eyes, look within. Are you satisfied with the life you're living?"
-Bob Marley

*Met Avant in the airport in Montego Bay. I thanked him for "Can't Wait" and "Makin' Good Love". I think he knew what I meant....

But who cares?

So I've really liked the song "Who Cares" by Gnarls Barkley since I first heard it over the summer. I wish I had an elaborate story or side anecdote about where I was or what I was doing when I first heard it, but unfortunately, I don't. What I can say is that it has proven to be one of those songs that I bump hard and know every word to, yet I later realize that I don't fully understand its meaning until I find myself relating it to myself. I have a new appreciation for it now and something tells me that I'm not the only one who's felt like this at some point in their life. Just to give you a little bit more of me, I'll highlight the parts that I felt the most. (shout out to Cee Lo and Danger Mouse)

Gnarls Barkley - Who Cares?

Basically I'm complicated
I have a hard time taking the easy way
I wouldn't call it schizophrenia
But I'll be at least 2 people today
If that's okay

And I can go on and on and on... but who cares?

It's deep how you can be so shallow
And I'm afraid cause I have no fear
And I didn't believe in magic
Until I watched you disappear
I wish you where here

And I can go on and on and on... but who cares?

You see, everybody is somebody
But nobody wants to be themselves
and If I ever wanted to understand me
I'd have to talk to someone else
Cause every little bit helps

And I can go on and on and on... but who cares?

Feels like... the surreal life
But it's still nice
Wish I could live twice
but I still might
if these bones heal right
I see a little light
even though it's still night
(repeat)

And I can go on and on and on... but who cares?

Public Service Announcement

If you see this man to the left, please do 1 of two things:

1.) Chop him in his throat (aim for the adam's apple.)

2.) Ignore him. Make him feel like no one loves him.

Donovan is a bad person. A douche, if you will. He'll let you believe that you've built some kind of friendship with him and make you think you can trust him, then he'll stop picking up when you call. Wont return your text messages. Facebook messages. Nothing! BEWARE!

They're finally out!

It's about time too. The Air Structure Triax 91's came out 17 years ago and havn't been released since. And now they've finally been re-released. In Europe! What kinda BS is that? I'm about to start a riot. Anyway, fellow shoe fiends got the internet goin nuts. I'd order a pair from online too if the US economy wasn't so bad and the dollar was worth anything near its weight in gold. So who's gonna be a loser and wait for the US release with me?.......

"I'm an addict for sneakers, twenties of buddah, and b****es wit beepers."

-Nas

Say goodbye to love!

For those of you who are already privy to Kenna's musical genius, you already know that he's... well... A F'n MUSICAL GENIUS!!! But I realize that to most he's still pretty unknown; which is fine with me, but since I figure that only my closest friends read my blogspot (or even know/care that I have one, for that matter) so I don't mind enlightening you.

Basically, Kenna's an Ethiopian-American from Virginia who was inspired to make crack albums by Stevie Wonder, U2, and Marvin Gaye. Not a bad choice of role models. He went to high school with Chad Hugo from the Neptunes (Stttaaaaaarrrrrr Trrrrraaaakkkk) who helped produced the album with Kenna and Pharrell. Nuff said. Go get it if you havn't already.

Char's here!!!

Charleigh Alaina Matthews was (finally) born on Novemeber 20, 2007 at 8:48 AM. She weighed 8lbs 3oz and she may be the prettiest baby ever. Welcome to the family!

Congratulations Miss Alex. Here's a throwback for you.

Kevin Durant is a mustang!

Montrose Mustang, that is. My dude fried in AAU. Fried in high school. Fried in college (for a year). So what did you really expect him to do in the league? Flop? Naaahhhhh son. So to the Montrose Christian School graduating class of 2006 (all 25 of us), allow yourself to feel proud as you watch some footage I found. 'Cause honestly, I do.

My mom couldn't help but yell "Heeeeyyyyyyy!!!" when she saw the Montrose jersey. It was pretty funny. Mainly because its the exact same thing I did when I first saw the commercial.

And in case you've never witnessed how nasty he is...

(And he still reps that green and white!)

Happy First Friday of the Year!

Enjoy!

Excuse the delay

Damn. I guess I've been slacking with this whole "blog" thing, huh? My bad...

Anyway, Happy New Years everyone. Hope you all had fun getting twisted and making regrettable decisions. Unfortunately, I woke up the morning of New Years Eve feeling like an adult diaper (shitty) so I spent my night under a comforter, drinking tea and watching SVU and Entourage on the fat screen... for 8 hours straight. However, thanks to a nice mix of curiosity and boredom, I found myself listening to some straight FIRE during commercials. So much so that I felt compelled to share.

So me and (my partner in crime and fellow music lover)Bo, decided that Eminem is one of the sickest rappers EVER. Easily top ten. But if you're like me, if you don't listen to his classics on a regular basis, you start to forget just how nice he is. Here's a friendly reminder. And don't forget this is a freestyle.





"Bush is pussy. Why the f**k you think his name's Bush? Bush is bushy."



P.S. - Special thanks to Maddie for reminding me to get back on my blog shit. 'Preciate it.