TLC to Tour With Film Projection of Left Eye. REALLY?

A friend of mine posted on my Facebook page today that TLC is planning on touring with a film projection of Left Eye earlier today.  My first impression.  "Holy shit, really? That's fucked up!"

I totally get everyone was excited about 2Pac's hologram at Coachella this past year.  I know, I was there.  But in all honesty, if 2Pac was alive today, he would NOT perform in front of a bunch of over privileged kids wearing feathers and headbands on their head that are too young to appreciate his work.  He wouldn't sell out like that.  As for Snoop and Dre, hey, that's their business. 

Anyway, I think it's completely inappropriate and disrespectful to Left Eye for the T-Boz and Chilli to try to kick start their career again by doing this. I LOVE TLC and always have, but I think there are some things you don't do, and this is one of them.

So what's next? A Michael Jackson concert? Kurt Cobaine? Whitney Houston? Aaliyah? Hasn't the record industry made enough money off of dead musicians?  Can I get a Janet Jackson hologram for my room? She's still alive, so that makes it ok. ;)

Love,
Left Ash

SWV I Miss Us

Are the 90s back? After listening to the new album "I Miss Us" by Sisters With Voices, the answer is definitely hell yes!

Hearing this album for the first time yesterday was like sticking a needle in my R&B Junkie vain and saying "here you go, oh yeah, doesn't that feel good?"

The album is a complete throwback to the 90s. What I love about it is that it doesn't try to do what all those 'comeback' groups try to do, which is update their sound to what's going on in the music scene.  SWV played it smart; they stuck to their 90s R&B roots.  Why? because they know people like you and I are going to reminisce and eat that shhhh right out of Coko's hands.

This album sounds like it could have been made right after their debut album 20 years ago (20 years ago? wow, that's scary.  I never thought I would say I did something 20 YEARS AGO! SCARY!).  My panic attack aside, if you liked their first album, download this one.

Two great moments in the album are when they incorporate Hi Five's "I like the way (kissing game)" and Jodeci's "Come and talk to me" lyrics in to 2 of their songs.  If you don't know those songs, you are not a true junkie. 

I guess that was my first review.  If anyone is out there or cares, let me know your thoughts. :)

-AshWV

Ready or Not - The Fugees

I'm not exactly sure how to start this blog.  I have a dirty secret that not many people in my life know about.  I have an addiction.  It's a secret I've kept from many people in fear that they will judge me.  Especially here in San Francisco.  I tried to give it up, and was successful the past 10 years, but it recently has crept back in to my life (I wish there was a patch I can wear or a gum I can chew, but sadly, there isn't). 

That addiction is 90s R&B music.  I have moved on to many musical genres, go to Coachella on a regular basis, and have a diverse musical library.  Unfortunately, there is something in me that can not escape.  And now, I'm afraid I never will.  I figured this would be a great way to begin my healing.  While others were listening to Nirvana and Green Day in the 90s, I was listening to TLC and Janet Jackson.   Luckily, I had NO IDEA how uncool I was at the time. I feel like there is an alter in me (much like the show United States of Tara) that I can not run away from.  This is the story of a 90s R&B Junkie addict.  Let the healing being.  Ready or not.

Fugees Ready or Not

The Knowledge - Janet Jackson

It all began in 1989 upon my arrival to the U.S. I was 10 years old.  One of my earliest memories of moving to the U.S was listening to music.  Since I was a very shy kid who did not speak English and did not have any friends, I spent most of my days indoors.  One day, I was snooping through my sister's drawers and found her cassette collection.  It was like a pot of gold.  I quickly grabbed one and ran to my room.  It was Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation.  I didn't exactly know who that was or what she was singing about, but I didn't care, it was English music and I wanted it.

In the coming weeks, I would listen to that cassette over and over until I learned every single word of every song.  I did not know how to say "may I please go to the restroom" or "where is the classroom?" but I did know how to say "Love will never do without you" and "Escapade",  which is what every 10 year old kid really needed to know how to say. 

So it begins.  After discovering the radio, I would listen to R&B music all day and slowly learn to speak the language.  I don't really remember knowing what 'shoop' actually meant, but it didn't matter.  I was speaking English and that's all that really mattered. Little did I know at the time, how uncool it was to listen to the genre where I grew up.  But soon, I would find out.  I had the knowledge.

Janet Jackson The Knowledge

Janet Jackson Escapade

Janet Jackson Love will never do (Without You)

What about your friends? TLC

In the early 90s, I decided to buy my first pair of overalls.  I know what you're thinking, overalls? Yes, I was obsessed with R&B culture and wanted them..bad!  Why not? Kris Kross was wearing them, so were the girls from Xscape, and let's not mention the girl group of the 90s, TLC.  So I was off to the mall to buy a pair of overalls.

I ended up buying light blue overalls.  And of course,  I would hook together one side of the overal straps, and leave the opposite side open.  Yeah, that's how Left Eye did it.  That's it.

What about your friends, you ask? needless to say, I was friendless all through junior high.  But hey, at least I looked like my favorite singers.  Right? 

TLC What about your friends?

TLC Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg

 

TLC Interview 1992

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 TLC: Waterfalls

Poison - Bel Biv Devoe

It was 1990.  It was my first day of school and I was terrified.  The teacher grabbed my hand, said something to me in English, and took me to the front of the class.  I had no idea what she was saying, but it sounded nice.  I had only been in the U.S for a few months.

I remember staring out at the class thinking "how am I going to do this?".  All the kid's faces were looking at me.  I could feel the sweat on the palms of my hand.  My heart was beating out of my chest.  After the teacher finished introducing me to the class, she sat me back down.

During lunch break, I was completely lost.  I had no idea how to speak the language and did not know where to go.  I grabbed my auto-reverse yellow walkman, sat alone behind the building, and listened to my brother's Bel Biv Devoe cassette that I had stolen from his room.  That is all I remember of that day.  After what seemed like the longest day ever.  I was picked up by my older brother (who beat me up for taking his cassette) and we walked home.

I didn't have any friends yet, but I had my music, and that's all that mattered.  Thanks Ricky, Michael, and Ronnie.  B.B.D.

Bel Biv Devoe "Poison"

"I thought it was me (B.B.D)"

"Do Me"

I will always love you - Whitney Houston.

Yesterday, the world found out that Whitney Houston passed away at 48.  All of a sudden, my mind rushed back to 1990. I remember girls wearing oversized shirts (like WAY OVERSIZED) with tights underneath.  I was 11 years old and so desperately wanted baggy pants so I can 'sag'.  My mom would not have it, plus we were too poor for new jeans anyway.  Oh, if you don't know what sagging means, it's wearing your pants down to your ass..well, not like these days where they're all the way down to your knees.  Back then, we were classy, we only showed the TOP of our underwear, not all of it.

But on a serious note.  Whitney will be missed.  For those of us that grew up on her music, she was well, I guess, the Beyonce of the 90s.  The bodyguard soundtrack (1992) was on the charts for years.  It seemed you couldn't go anywhere without hearing her Dolly Parton remake of "I will always love you".

And so in life we go from wearing red jeans and flannel shirts while waiting for the new Beverly Hills 90210 episode to gray suits and 'casual Friday wear' while waiting for the bus to go to work.  How life changes in a heartbeat.  R.I.P Whitney, I will always love you for reminding me of the 'good ol' days.'

Whitney Houston "I will always love you"

"I wanna dance with Somebody (who loves me)

It's not right but it's okay

I'm your baby tonight