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

I wanna be down - Brandy

1994 was a strange year.  Does anyone remember when Nancy Kerrigan was clubbed on the right leg by an skaing rival Tonya harding's ex husband?  When Nirvan's Kurt Cobain  committed suicide? Or when Nicole Simpson and Ronald Goldman were murdered by um someone still to be determined? Oh, and there was the first conference devoted entirely to the subject of the commercial potential of the web was held in San Francisco with Marc Anderssen (who worked for Netscape at the time).  1994 was exciting!

But most importantly, 1994 was my freshman year in high school and the year I made my first 2 real friends.  And, of course, it was also the year Brandy released her first album.  Yes, this to me was bigger than all of the news listed above.

I had made my first friend in Science class.  She sat next to me and was as awkward as anyone I have ever met,  She wore wrangler jeans and had her hair in a bun (does anyone remember Mrs. Garrett from The Facts of Life? yeah, it was like that).  We hit it off instantaneously.

My second friend was introduced to me by her.  He wore a "Zero" shirt and listened to The Smashing Pumpkins.  At surface, we had nothing in common, until I found out he liked both rock and R&B, which for the 90s was UNHEARD OF. And more surprising, he loved Janet Jackson as much as I did (can you believe that?).  He called me one day and said  "hey, dude, there's this awesome chick that you have to hear..her name is Brandy, and she's like awesome!" 

And so begins my high school years.

Brandy: I wanna be down

 Brandy: I wanna be down remix with Queen Latifah and Yoyo

Brandy: Have you ever?

Brandy: Sittin' up in my room

Random '90s R&B songs

Here is a list of some of my favorite songs of the '90s.  I remember having to buy an extra large CD carrying case to hold all of my CDs on school trips.  Good times.  Here are the ones I can remember.  I will keep adding as they come to me. 

Mary J. Blige: Real Love

Hi Five: I like the way (Kissing Game)

Genuine: Pony

Prince: Cream

R Kelly: Bump & Grind

Groove Theory: Tell me

Toni Tony Tone: Feels Good

702: Where my girls at?

Zhane: Hey Mr. DJ

Total featuring Notorious B.I.G: Can't you see

Notorious BIG: Big Poppa

LL Cool J: Doin' It

Twisted - Keith Sweat

Going to concerts has always been something that I love to do.  The first concert that I remember going to is a locally hosted radio station Fresno concert featuring Keith Sweat and a few one hit wonders.  Yes, believe it or not, Keith Sweat was big in Fresno (And still is, he's playing there now with the Isley Brothers.  Crazy.).

One of my older brothers was a big fan of Keith Sweat.  So him and his best friend took me with them to the concert.  I felt so grown up.  The people watching experience was great.  I saw guys in over-sized baseball jackets, gold jewelery, baggy carpenter jeans, and bomber jackets.  I saw girls wearing slab bracelets and chunky wedge heeled shoes (I think they were made popular by the Spice Girls? who knows?).

It was a great night.  Filled with R&B madness.

Keith Sweat - Twisted

Keith Sweat: I want her

The Tony Rich Project (one of the one hit wonders): Nobody Knows

Another Sad Love Song - Toni Braxton

1996 doesn't mean a lot to a many  people, but to me it was a big year. I was finally outgrowing my shy self and beginning to become a little more social, with the help of my few friends.  I even had a girlfriend.  Yes, a real girlfriend.  No more lonely nights of watching The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Beavis and Butt-head.  Her name was Margarita Lopez, and she was the mascot for our rival football team (I repeat, she was a REAL girl..but in a bear costume).  All I really remember is that she had long curly hair and her family owned a pizza parlor.  What teenager didn't want to date a girl and have all the pizza he wanted?

After a month, Margaria broke up with me.  Sadly, I didn't really care.  I was just happy to have had a girlfriend and to finally feel somewhat 'normal'.  But that didn't last long. (oh, if you're wondering why she broke up with me? It was because I didn't put out....I was religious, what do you want from me?).

A few days later, I found out out that one of my all time favorite R&B singers, Toni Braxton, was coming to town.  I was so excited!  I even ditched school to go to Tower Records and line up for tickets.  Strangely, there was no line when I got there.  Front row! Score!

Of course no one wanted to go with me, so my older brother came along.  I was ready.  I bought a hat and decorated it with all the Toni Braxton song names (with different colored pens, of course).  This was going to be amazing!

On the night of the show, I could barely breathe.  I was so excited I ditched school because I couldn't concentrate (for a 4.0 student, this was a big deal).  Halfway through the show, Toni Braxton began to sing "You're Making me high."  That was my jam.  All of a sudden, she points at me and tells me to come up on stage  (I have a feeling she saw my ridiculous hat and felt sorry for me..but hey, I'll take it).  I went up on stage and she sang to me.  She even gave me the mic to sing with her (I was in heaven).  The next day I was the talk of the school as I had agreed to be on the radio the next morning to talk about it.

I'm not sure how that effected my 'reputation' at school, but at the time, I was completely clueless.   That was the year I went from no girls to 2 girls.  Margarita and Toni.

Toni Braxton - Un-Break My Heart

Toni Braxton - You're Making Me High

Toni Braxton - Another Sad Love Song

Toni Braxton - Breathe Again