@ The Movies : The Dark Knight

So I finally was able to get a ticket today to see Batman: “The Dark Knight”.  I was going to take Sade because she liked the last Batman (“Batman Returns”) movie but when it was time to go, she said no & I am happy that she did.   “The Dark Knight” is not a kids movie by any means!!!!!!

The newest installment of the Batman franchise is no joke and blows the lid off of the other releases on many levels.

The plot line was fairly basic but the twists & turns along the way were very unexpected.

Christian Bale had another stellar performance but I think he was upstaged by Heath Ledger’s demented “Joker” character.  I had heard a few stories about Heath being nominated for an Oscar & I now know why.  It was almost scary watching him & I can almost see why he offed himself.  Perhaps he got caught up in the mystique & craziness of the Joker. 

If any other Oscars are mentions, they should definitely be for make-up & cinemaphotography

At one point during the car chase scene, I thought I was going to go into a seizure because it was so visually stimulating.  It was way intense!!!

It was so intense, I am going back to see it Tuesday on IMax.

I wish I could say more but there is so much to say, I will leave it to the real movie critics.  I will totally recommend carving out 2.3 hours and be ready for loads of ass kicking action & delicious violence.

DoYouLikeBaduLikeIDoBoo

Erykah Badu performed last night in Detroit with the Roots & the show was KICK ASS. I got so many awesome shots & I am so feeling myself right now. I may post one more, but I think this is a pretty good tease for now.

Don't you just love press passes???

Bygbaby Week in Review

Yes, this is all about me. The post is long, kinda boring but I had to get it all out or die from excitement.

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Monday I had a test in my math class that I was feeling pretty confident about because I had been hitting the books consistently over a period 3 weeks. This test had to be the test that I made my comeback on because I totally fucked up on got a 69% on the 1st one. So I had to prove to myself that like so many others before me, I could do it.

So I took the test, which took me a good hour. After it was over I felt good, went home, changed into my gym gear, hit the gym, came back home, ate dinner & eventually fell asleep.

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Tuesday: I woke up feeling pretty good but nervous about the test from the day before. Got ready for work, hit the plantation for 8 hours, came home to cook dinner, went to the gym, ate dinner & eventually fell asleep.

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Wednesday: So today was the day I got the results of Monday’s test & I was pretty much on edge all day wondering how things ended up. Work was boring as usual & after 8 hrs, I hit Whole Foods for an in-class snack & some two bite brownies just in case I needed to console myself after getting my test results.

So now I am in class & the instructor said that he would pass the tests back after the break; everyone was like damn.

Anyway, we jumped off into chapter 4 & that shit was not so easy to comprehend but I will be working my ass off over the next few weeks to keep up.

Now it’s break time. I pull out my snack & beverage & await the test results. Five minutes later, the instructor stops in front of me then gives me smirk. At 1st I was like what was that all about, was he laughing at me, was he like great you did it, what???? Bottom line is it was a smirk of you did it. I got a 94 fucking %. So I was so geeked, I could not concentrate one bit after the break.

My come back is now on & poppin’!

After class, I went home, changed into my gym gear, hit the gym & watched ANTM while working the elliptical, came back home, ate a delicious Thai dinner that Suite Suzy picked up for me & eventually fell asleep after basking in the glow of my math victory (can you say run on sentence like a mutha!!!).

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Thursday: I woke up feeling fucking great & glowing because of my successful math comeback. Got ready for work, hit a 9am work mtg, returned to the office for a few hours, then left for the day to pick up Olivia & Sade because they had a half day of school & I wanted to spend some time with them.

It’s now 1150am & the girls & I are on our way to lunch. Lunch was god but the conversation was much better. It is really fun listening to them voice their opinions (sometimes). They are quite strong in how they feel about things & speak with such conviction to be so young. It’s good to see my kids more advanced than I was at their age.

Now it’s 2pm & we are back home after stopping at the store to pick up some movie snacks. The rest of the afternoon was spent watching “Stardust” (rented in iTunes), popping milk duds & whoppers.

OK so now it’s 4 pm & I get an email from Vonnie @ Honey Soul who informed me that singer Anthony David was trying to get in touch with me. So moments later Anthony David & I touch base & he tells me that his record label wants to BUY the impromptu photo that I took of him back in Nov 07. I was like what???

He was then like name your price & it’s on. So at this point, I had to consult with one of my professional fashion photographer friends & he was like don’t accept anything less that ?00 but don’t lose the sale so be flexible at the same time. I was like for real? He was like hell yeah.

OK so now I am back with AD & was like my price with rights is ?50 or you can have all 6 for ?000. He was like no problem, let me hook you up with the record label rep (Universal Republic Records).

Hours later after all negotiations, my price was honored the paperwork was submitted & the images were sent.

So you can imagine I was on cloud 9 all fucking afternoon through the evening. The kids heard all of the discussions & were like OMG is that for real. They were like, we are so excited for you baba/brother. It felt good to her my babies talk that way. I then got in touch with my boo to share the good news & she shared that same sentiments as the kids.

During all of the negotiations & other shit, I attended a talk on becoming a stock photographer by professional photographer Ric Kasnoff. I learned a lot & hope that one day some I can put the information to use.

About 1030, I made it back home did some paperwork, & eventually fell asleep. Notice, I did not have dinner, I was too tired & went to be slightly hungry.

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Friday: I woke up feeling fucking great & glowing because of my successful math comeback & my 1st photo sale!

Eventually, I scroll up into the plantation, work until about 1240pm then hit the Toyota dealership to test drive that Prius that I mentioned a few months back.

After being up in that bitch for 3 damn hours, a deal was made & I am now the proud “pre owner“ of a Prius. The one I wanted was not in stock & had to be ordered. It should be in by Wednesday next week. I am pretty geeked about my new car & the fact that I will be rolling fat like my boy Larry David!!! My car not is 24 bucks cheaper plus all of the gas money I will be saving. Cha ching!!!

The ride on the Prius was smooth, very quite & pretty roomy for a small vehicle. My gas guzzling V6 days are almost over!!!!!!!!!!!! BTW, I got mine in the "magnetic gray metallic" color.

It’s now just before 4pm & I roll up to the house & see Suite Suzy off before their 3-day girls weekend in western MI somewhere. I will miss them but looking forward to a quite house, mos def.

So I run in the house to spend some of the money I earning on my photo sale. I now have a new Nikon 85mm & Nikon 12-24mm lens on the way.

It’s now almost 5, so I take a quick leak then hit the freeway to head to the Centaur for after 5 cocktails.

My BFB winded up meeting me & we chilled while talking some shit like we do with some of the other bar flies. About 730 my boy “Bouncer Locs” asked me if I was going to the Jill Scott concert that was jumping off @ 8. I was like no, I could not get tix in time. He then said he had 2 & could not go. He offered them to me for 125 bucks. The wheels in my head were turning big time. I was like hold on let me consult. Fifteen minutes later, BFB had the tix in hand after making the money exchange in a weed smoke filled car (nothing like a contact buzz after a few martinis). Fifteen minutes after that we were up in the Fox in our seats (half way decent seats).

We caught the end of Raheem DeVaughn’s set, which was just OK. I mean, I really like Raheem but that new CD Is wack!!!!!!!

Now it’s a little after 9pm & my boo Jilly from Philly on stage looking good & sounding even better. She burned the stage up for 2 straight hours & totally gave me an eargasm!!!

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I ended my best 08’ week ever on such a high note, unlike that bitch ass Kwame Kilpatrick!

What the fuck is next?

On TV: Prince Amongst Slaves +

Last night I tuned into the PBS special documentary "Prince Amongst Slaves", which detailed the life of [Prince] Abdul Rahman & his 40 years spent as a slave in America. I have heard the story before but this documentary took it to a new & great level!

I know you saw it so I would love to know what you thought. Did you read the book?

While watching it, I found that I stopped breathing a couple of times because the story was suspenseful at times & then there were two points where I felt a tear about to pop out that I had to control. And without really having to say, I did get angry as I would with anything else dealing with the subject matter.

The Antwon Fisher moment at the end brought it all home & really showed that through all, we have conquered as a people.

PBS always shows stellar programming during BHM & this year is no exception. The cool thing also about PBS is that they show love throughout the year without question.

Here is a link to the 2008 BHM PBS line up.

Switching topics but not really but kinda.

I have 2 mud cloth sets & this is my favorite (you may have seen me in it here). It was made by a Senegalese friend's sister back home in Africa. His family actually manufactures many clothing goods & his sales here help support his family, here & in Senegal. I am thinking about making this image my blog header for the month but I have to muster up the initiative to make that happen & right now, It is not looking so hot.

About Mud Cloth (if interested):

Bogolanfini (“Bo-ho-lahn-FEE-nee”), which translates as “mud cloth” is a long established tradition among the Bamana, a Mande speaking people who inhabit a large area to the east and north of Bamako in Mali. The origin of this cloth is believed to lie in the Beledougou region of central Mali. Hand woven and hand-dyed mud cloth uses a centuries old process using numerous applications of various plant juices/teas and mud to dye hand woven cotton cloth.

Traditionally, Bamana women made the mud cloth. Bogolonfin, for Bamana women, has always been an essential component in the marking of major life transitions, such as birth, marriage, and death. Bogolanfini is a living art form, with techniques and motifs passed down from generations of mothers to daughters. Bamana hunters also wear Bogolanfini in the form of red mud cloth laden with leather amulets, forceful visual symbols of the supernatural powers believed necessary for successful hunters to possess. Each piece of mud cloth tells a story. No two pieces are alike and each pattern and color combination has a meaning. The symbols, arrangements, color as well as shape of the mud cloth reveal secrets. The mud cloth is also used to define a person’s social status, character or occupation. Bogolanfini is an expression of Malian national identity and a symbol of belonging to African culture. (source)

Mixed Reviews @ The Movies

Last Monday instead of going home to deal with the X-mas drama that Suite Suzy had swirling around the house; I opted for the movies, my favorite hideout. I had to choose between "The Golden Compass" or "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" as nothing else appealed to me. I decided on seeing "The Golden Compass" because my inner child forced me to indulge in this movie about fanciful adventure.

In all actuality, I wanted to see this movie for a while & wanted to take my kids but they were not interested. Anyway, cutting to the chase, I really liked this damn movie! It kept me entertained throughout & I think I shouted out with excitement a couple of times (along with others). I did find parts of the movie predictable but that never turned me off because I had to remember the intended audience.

The protagonist Lyra Belacqua, played by Dakota Blue Richards was brilliant, strong & convincing throughout. Usually some of these child actors get on my nerves but she managed to make the cut of those who know what they are doing. The main antagonist Marisa Coulter, played by Nicole Kidman was interesting because NK in real life seems to be a cold person (not that I'd really know) so I'm not sure if this role is a stretch for her.

One thing I think that would have made the movie better would have been blood! There were a couple of scenes that just called for blood to be spilled, but because of the intended audience, they had to keep it family friendly. I am hoping they come out with a directors cut!

When the movie was over, I was like no, don't stop, I need to know what happens from here! So I guess I'm hooked by this good story like most of the other fantasy tales that have made it to the big screen ("Harry Potter", Lord of the Rings, "The Chronicles Narnia" etc). The Golden Compass ended like it will be followed by a sequel, but from what I'm reading online, a sequel may not be happening. Even though the ending was a huge cliffhanger, I walked out feeling good about the 7.50 I spent to be taken to another place.

Thursday of this same week, I had a little time on my hands that I needed to use to decompress & I chose to do it at the movies, of course! "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" was the only option & officially the last movie I will see this year.

I really liked the 1st "National Treasure" movie because it reminded me of a modern "Indiana Jones", with all of the adventure, girl, & the ultimate treasure. Well this new piece of the NT franchise has all of that but it lost so much flavor. I found "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" entertaining but it was far too predictable & it was almost to the point that I was guessing what the characters would say next. In contrast, I was always on my toes with the "Indian Jones" films.

I really don't have much else to say so I will just leave it here & tell you to wait to see this movie on the FX network in a few months.

Fin...

Well the semester is finally over & it ended on a high note when I got my research paper back tonight. Last week after I presented my information & turned in he final draft, I was like I better get an A. I worked really hard & I would not feel good with a B. I gotta keep my GPA up so I can get that damn scholarship when I transfer.

So after I got my paper & basked in the glow of my grade, I bounced & headed for the gym. I had to be there by 8pm so that I could catch the finale of “America’s Next Top Model”, while working the elliptical.

It was an intense hour. I think I found out, that I work more effectively while listening to my music vs. watching TV & working out. By the time the show was over, I still felt good about burning 516 calories. I also felt good because Saleisha won cycle 9. I would have also been happy to see Chantal win, as she was another one of my favorites.

Anyway, I weighed myself & I am now down a total 7 lbs! I am pretty excited!!!

Music from the Diaspora: Red Earth: A Malian Journey

Earlier this month while on a road trip to Detroit to shoot an event, I heard a very fascinating interview with NPR’s Melissa Block & jazz diva Dee Dee Bridgewater on All Things Considered. They were discussing Dee Dee’s latest CD Red Earth: A Malian Journey which is a tribute to her African Roots.

Before the interview even began, I was hooked when I heard a clip of one of her new cuts “Afro Blue” & then I became totally engrossed with every word that Dee Dee spoke as she described her process for developing this new master piece.

One thing from the interview really resonated with me was when Melissa asked Dee Dee if she knew anything about her African heritage before the beginning of her Red Earth project & Dee Dee said “I didn’t know anything. And as a matter of fact, to be perfectly honest, I had grown up with very, very negative impressions of Africa. In, you know, schoolbooks where they would talk about Africa, it was always like the Africans were savages. I had no idea that there were African kingdoms, that there were, you know, these deep, cultural roots, you know, the whole, griot oral historians. You know, I didn’t know this stuff because we weren’t taught that in school.” To that statement, I was like hello!!! I also felt proud because I am teaching my children about the beauty of Africa as I learn myself (it's really up to Black parents to learn & teach our children as much as possible about our own heritage because these white school systems are not down for the cause).

During the interview Dee Dee also talked about how Mali had this draw to her, some type unfamiliar familiarity but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it until she visited Bamako. To hear her describe the experience made me want to touch down on the motherland even more. On her website she says “The calling was so strong, so forceful, that I had to heed its inaudible cry. I took wing, and was guided to the land of my forefathers. The RED EARTH has always spoken to me, from the time of my birth in Memphis, Tennessee.

When I touched the red earth of Bamako, when I inhaled the Malian air, when I heard the tambours, and listened to the griots, I felt my spirit begin to dance.

I saw myself in the people; I saw that our customs were the same. I found the answers to long-standing questions about the ‘how’, the ‘where’, and the ‘why’. I was invigorated and inspired; my soul was filled with an inexplicable peace.”

I could go on & on about how awesome the interview was but I’m not, I beg you to listen to it yourself (here).

One thing that I would have asked Dee Dee would have been if she got a DNA test to confirm her link to Mali. Actually I guess it really does not matter because ignorance is sometimes bliss & adoptive homes are just as welcoming.

Lastly while I am on Dee Dee's jock, I stumbled across an interview that she gave Baltimore Sun reporter Rashod D. Ollison where she said "...With this album, my concern was that my people, our people, would hear it and maybe it would inspire other brothers and sisters to make that connection with Africa. With this record, I've come full circle." To that I say, you have me all in but then again, you are preaching to the choir.
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Back to the music.
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Since I got the CD, it has been in heavy rotation especially the song “Red Earth (Massane Cisse)”. It has this strong Blues jump off blended with heavy Afro poly-rhythms that just gets my head boppin’. She really has the Griot song style down pat & it shows in this cut I think also hearing her talk about red earth reminds me of playing in the dirt as a child in Alabama & then getting in trouble when I got home because I ruined another Salvation Army outfit.

“The Griots (Sakhodougou)” also has me addicted its words and sound. This cut also drives my imagination wild when I close me eyes & imagine people dancing on the continent when the song hits the orgasmic crescendo. Most of the song is in either the Songhai or Babara language & I have no idea what they are saying but of course I sing along. Good thing music is a universal language!

My last highlighted favorite is “Afro Blue”, where her Griot skills are showcased yet again wonderfully. “Afro Blue” is an up-tempo jazzy cut infused with African percussions that really make this song go over the top. I have also determined that this is a good song to listen to a few times while cleaning the kitchen after dinner.

Other favorites include:

• Bad Spirits (Bani)
• Long Time Ago
• Children Go 'Round
• Four Woman

I’ve always considered Dee Dee to be a very diverse artist but she mos def stepped her game up with something to offer the jazz, blues and Neo Afro rhythms fans on “Red Earth: A Malian Journey.”

If you have this album, I would love to know your thoughts…….. So talk to me…………

About Last Night XII: Urban Organic Music Festival (UPDATED)

Saturday (11/17/07) I was assigned to photograph the 6th Urban Organic Music Festival at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD). When I heard about the event 2 weeks ago I got excited a) because Amp Fiddler was hosting and b) because Roy Ayers was the featured act (one of my favorite jazz musicians).

The Urban Organic Music Festival features great music workshops for those wanting to break into the business, a concert that has an eclectic mix of hot new R&B/Neo-soul (what's really new with soul) acts from across the country and always tops it off with a cherry by having a music heavyweight on the bill like my new friend Roy Ayers. Bottom line is this event is a must do for any serious music fan; it attracted online R&B maven Honey Soul, who I kicked it with briefly.

My evening at the MOCAD started around 8pm and like most events, the coordinators were happy to see me, gave me my press kit and let me in to do my thing.

So now I am up in the spot and the crowd was already thick, luckily I was able to get in some quick photos of many of the artist before they went on (talk about busy!).

As the hours went past and the who's who of Detroit showed up, I grew exhausted longing for a 15-minute nap (I was vending Quench Essentials yesterday in 2 locations from 9am-730pm) but that was not going to happen. Between taking performance photos and kicking it with friends, I got occasional adrenaline rushes that got me to 10pm when Roy Ayers entered the building. Here is shot of Anthony David and it is one of my favorites from the evening.

Now that Roy was in the spot, backstage took on a different tone. Everyone was excited and enjoyed the vibe that this living legend was giving off.

After things slowed down, I was able to kick it one on one with Roy (guess who was ultra excited). This was a moment that I had been hoping for and I had my questions ready to go.

First I asked Roy, what was on his mind when he wrote "Kwajilori" (one of my absolute favorite songs). When I finished asking the questions, he chuckled and said that he did not write it. His bass player at the time wrote the song and when he heard it the 1st time, he knew that it had to be recorded. I told him that Kwajilori also makes me smile and feel good about life and he said that was the point; then we both laughed.

Secondly, I said "Roy, I love "Brand New Feeling because it gets me in the mood", we again both laughed. I then said, excuse my French and no disrespect intended at all but.......... when the vocalist (Merry Clayton) sings, it sounds like she is fucking, she sounds so very sensual: Roy, what was going on during that time. He was like man if you only knew! He said that "she sang like she knew how to do it" and again, more laughing.

Before we parted ways, I let him know one more time how his work influences me and always gets me singing and feeling great. Usually at events I do not get photographs of myself because I trust no one with my camera and last night was no exception. So I was like, Roy, lets take a picture. He was like how, no one is around then I said, I got this and did my thing. He was like, man you are BAD! Minutes later he was on stage.

Although Roy’s set was 4 songs long, it lasted for over an hour and he set it off!!! He started with "We Live in Brooklyn," which sent the large crowd of fans out of control with excitement. He then smoothly transitioned to "Searching" and the crowd started singing. Once he neared the end of “Searching,” he asked the crowd what they wanted to hear then an unanimous thunder of the word SUNSHINE flew back at Roy, seconds later it was on and poppin’. This version of "Everybody Loves The Sunshine" lasted about 30 minutes and included improv duets with most of the artists that performed that evening including Amp Fiddler, Monica Blair, YahZarah aKa Purple St. James, Melissa Young, Alison Crockett, and Profit (a new Detroit based rapper, who really got the crown hype). I mean this performance was an orgasm for the ear!

The evening wrapped with a dance favorite "Runaway". I think most of the crowd including me was up shaking their thang and singing the hook (doo be doo, run, run, run - doo be doo, run, run, run - doo be doo, run, run, run).

After the concert was over, Amp Fiddler announced the after party location and people started to file out. I said fuck that, I need to sit down before I passed the fuck out, eat & take my ass home. I made it home about 2am totally drained of energy but glowing thinking about the time that I spent with one of my idols.

Oh I forgot to mention that Roy asked for my card and I excitedly gave it to him. I hope he hits me up, how cool would that be???

::::::::::::::::::::::UPDATE::::::::::::::::::::::

Yesterday, I was contacted by Drake Phifer, the founder of Urban Organic because he stumbled across this post & loved the photos. We did a little business & he will be forwarding many of my photos to Fusicology & Detroit's Ambassador magazine. Guess whose geeked???

@ The Movies: Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married

Well, I got married for love, the love of my then babies momma & the love of my sweet baby Olivia (I cannot believe I just said that mushy shit).

What I really wanted to start this post out with was the fact that I found my precious (wedding ring). Actually Suit Suzy found it yesterday with going through my laundry. We were both relieved that it was found but I think Suite Suzy was more excited than I.

I think she sees the ring as a shield against anyone looking to get some of my hot dick & nuts. I was happy that it was found because that I had one less thing to be dogged out about.

Needless to say, I will not be taking my ring into the gym anymore!

Anyway……….

Saturday me & my boo went on a childless date for a little dinner for a movie (finally). Of course we went to see Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married”.

I am not in the mood to go into all of the details, so I am just going to say, if you have not seen it yet, go ASAP!

We both loved the movie & thought Tyler outdid himself bit time. I appreciated all of the characters & that bitch “Mike”.

Putting myself out there, I got a little teary eyed on a few scenes because I was seeing somethings that resonated with me as far as my behavior, feelings & thoughts. Some of the scenarios mos def showed me that I was in a good relationship that needs some nurturing, patience, understanding & sex.

This is the 1st movie of Tyler’s that I would not consider a “Black” movie & that is OK. I think anyone can see this film & walk away with something that they can relate to good, bad, ugly or all.

Jill Scott did a wonderful job & I would love to see her & her tib ole bitties in more films. There was a point where I thought that her song “Wanna Be Loved” was going to be played because it would have fit this movie so well.

I have yet to talk to anyone who thought the movie was wack, so I guess that is saying something really good. Not to mention that it has taken in more than $53.2 million so far

“Why Did I Get Married” is more proof that we are more than drug dealers, jokesters, losers, $2 hoes (Halle Berry) etc.

With all of this said, Tyler, if you are reading this, I am no longer mad at you for making "Daddy’s Little Girls".

Have you seent' the movie yet? What are your thoughts???????

Music from the Diaspora: Panacea

When I blog about music, I prefer to discuss artists who are off the mainstream radar. Basically I pretty much hate most mainstream music as I see it as an insult & diss to my mentality. With this said, I would like to put you up on "Panacea," a pair of hip-hop artists who are off the mainstream music radar.

Panacea (Jason Moore aKa "Raw Poetic" & Kyle Murdock aKa "K-Murdock") hails from DC & their hot newest album is titled "The Scenic Route."

I heard about the release last month (Sept 07) on Giant Step and decided to check them out. Usually I don’t check out hip-hop or rap releases, so I'm happy that I did not follow my normal rule because I found a true hip-hop gem.

After I popped on the Giant Step jukebox & listened to "Flashback To Stardom" (ft Raheem DeVaughn) I was like hell yeah, then I listened to "Pops Said" & was like I am Panacea’s newest biggest fan.

A few minutes later, I downloaded a few cuts from iTunes & put them on heavy rotation (along with Common & Jill Scott). After a week or so, I decided that I actually wanted the entire CD, so I called up my girl Zana @ Spectacles & asked her to order it for me. 3 days later, it was in my hand & it was all good.

You may be asking why I ordered the CD when I could have just downloaded it off iTunes. Well, I ordered the CD because I really want to support these artists & have something tangible to show them support. Also, I believe in supporting quality Black businesses, especially friends whenever possible!

Anyway, "The Scenic Route" is a true hip-hop album full of positive (but not corny) messages, melodic, trippy & rock filled beats. "The Scenic Route" reminds me of underground shit from back in the day, when you could just chill & bounce your head without felling angry or like you needed to fuck a "hoe" or "bitch" after a song went off.

My standout favorites are:

• The Scenic Route
• Flashback To Stardom***
• Pops Said
• Between Earth & Sky***
• Bubble
• Katana
• One Shine

If you are a true hip-hop fan, then you need to add this album to your collection soon.
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From their Myspace Page:

Their sound has been described as "A Tribe Called Quest meets Final Fantasy", and some listeners have even made comparisons to The Roots and Outkast. But forget a classification, this is just exceptionally good, unique, and timeless music. Panacea is based out of the Washington DC area where producer K-Murdock, a Maryland native, has provided his fantasy hip-hop soundscapes for soul singers such as Raheem DeVaughn and W. Ellington Felton. Emcee Raw Poetic, a long time resident of Northern Virginia who originally hails from Philadelphia, has been rhyming since the age of 14.

His natural, almost conversational flow and signature storytelling lyrics fit perfectly with K-Murdock's soulful and sometimes spacey compositions. Their obvious chemistry is incredibly rare, and favors such accomplished duos as Gangstarr and Pete Rock & CL Smooth. Whether they're in the studio composing music at a prolific rate comparable to legendary jazz pianist Bob James in the 70s, or on stage performing live backed by Virginia-based progressive hip-hop band RPM (www.rpmband.com), Panacea has all musical bases covered!
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Online Reviews:

~ "This is a feel good album – period. That’s about the easiest way I can describe Panacea’s "The Scenic Route." Such a feel good album, in fact, that I threw it in my headphones this morning and decided to take "the scenic route" to work…." (Hip-Hop Linguistics)

~ "If Rawkus is attempting to recapture the spirit of its late-’90s heyday (before a gruesome implosion that expedited hip-hop’s Diddy-fication), it’s got a promising find in D.C.-based Panacea. Emcee Raw Poetic and producer K-Murdock aren’t exactly Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek, but Panacea imbue their sophomore album, The Scenic Route, with an infectious blend of street-corner philosophizing and Native Tongues-inspired charm…." (Tiny Mix Tapes)

~ "...MC Raw Poetic and producer K-Murdock proved what they are capable of in their first release, Ink Is My Drink, delivering a truly unique and cutting edge freshman release. With The Scenic Route, they are breaking the mold. Don’t expect a mere new-and-improved version of Ink Is My Drink this time around. K-Murdock delves into new sonic soundscapes, tapping into influences from early 70’s progressive rock and beyond, while bringing the listener on a rollercoaster ride of tempos, BPMs and overall composition." (Fresh Press Media)

I hope that Panacea blows up but keeps their true hip-hop flow.

About Last Night: Brother Sister

My post title is inspired by The Brand New Heavies song titled “Brother Sister” from their “Brother Sister” Album

“Don't let your young life get you down
It always had a certain mystery
Many changes come to everyone
About the time that they turn seventeen
Grandma said at times you'll feel a sting
There'll be sharp turns and uphills and closed doors
Then she said hold onto your faith
'Cause in this world you've got to go and get yours

So you stand up
Be strong go out there
Hold on to the real thing that matter
'Cause no one's gonna hand it to you on a silver platter
There's no need to feel you're on your own
Just let your intuition guide you through
Take one step toward what you believe
Don't be afraid to make your move…

… Don't be scared go out there
Just stand up my brother sister
Hold on
To the real things that matter
'Cause no one's gonna hand it to you
On a silver platter
Stand up my brother sister
Hold on to the real things that matter
'Cause no one's gonna hand 'em to you
On a silver platter”

Last night, I took advantage of the tickets that I scored for the National Ballet of China at the Detroit Music Hall.

I got 2 tickets & since we could not get a babysitter, I attended the performance with my little sister Sade. Sade is a dancer so Suite Suzy & I knew she would appreciate this more that Olivia as she is more into sports.

The show jumped off @ 8pm & we got to the Music Hall about 7:40, ran up to the Will Call window & copped my tickets. Now with 15 minutes to spare, we hunted for a parking spot & ran back to get our 3rd row seats.

Things kicked off promptly as it should have & that was great. Unfortunately & embarrassingly, niggas were strolling in all late, & I mean like 20 minutes into the performance. Why can’t Black people show up on time???

This was my 2nd ethnic Ballet & it was quite different than the "Les Ballets Africains" from the Republic of Guinea. Well maybe comparing the 2 is like comparing kiwis to rambutans.

The NBC performed 7 acts & of these, Sade & I only liked 3 of them & it was funny because the 3 had a Asian flare where as the others where pretty boring & very European. The acts that we enjoyed were 5."The Same Moonlight" 6."Natual Melody" & 7."Butterfly Lovers".

During the fest acts, I understood why men in general do not enjoy going to the ballet. I found them to be acts to be very feminine & soft. Not only that, I got hard to tell the women from the men. They all had on tons of make up, & their bodies were flat as a board. In some cases, judging by genitals was not a help. I called Suite Suzy during the 2nd intermission & told her that I felt emasculated; then we both laughed.

All in all, it was good & Sade really enjoyed it, so I guess the mission was accomplished.

After the show, we went to Twingo’s (yes again, it’s good dammit!!!) for dinner & conversation. During dinner, we talked about her next pomp on competition & her dream to go to nationals (home girl is pumped & highly motivated). Once dinner was scarfed down, we shared a banana split that sent us both over the top.

By the time we got home (midnight), we were beyond exhausted. I think we both crashed & snored the night away.

If you are interested, please check out my photos from the show here.

A Groupies Proof

Did I already brag that I got Celia & Helene of Les Nubians autograph??? I am such a fucking groupie!

About Last Night XI: Les Nubians

Last night Suite Suzy & I had another hot childless date & boy was it a great outing. It was great because we had tickets to see one of the best Afro-French duos ever; Les Nubians.

Last month when it was announced that Les Nubians were coming to town, I dropped everything to get to the Music Hall’s box office to get us tickets. I mean everything! I have been a fan ever since “Princesses Nubiennes” dropped in 1998. I have all 3 of their albums & listen to them all the time. The funny thing is that I speak no French but sing every word.

So last night, I cut class early turning in my English paper to pick up Suite Suzy so we could hit Twingo’s for dinner before the show.

Dinner was great & we had a wonderful conversation about the separation of Black socioeconomic. We also discussed our childhoods compared to our kids & I think we both learned something new about each other. So after we dined (I had the pork tenderloin topped with cherry cola BBQ sauce, chorizo polenta & maytag blue cheese coleslaw) we hit the road headed for the Detroit Music Hall.

Twenty minutes later, we were in our seats & 10 minutes after that, my girls Helene & Celia hit the stage looking Afro-Sharp!

The set lasted a good 1½ hours & they performed all of my favorite songs (listed in order):

Saravah

J'Veux D'La Musique

Sourire

Embrasse-Moi

Desolee

Insomnie

Tabou

Demain

Makeda

Temperature Rising

Upside Down (cover of Fela Kuti’s hit)

No Regret (unreleased)

After the set was over, I asked their road manager Angela if I could take a picture of them & get an autograph (yes I’m a groupie). She told me to hang around & she would get me hooked up.

Well we hung around & she more that hooked me up, she gave me a very special gift. I was able to go backstage & chill with them. We sat around talking about the state of Black Music with an emphasis on Hip-Hop. The entire conversation was being recorded by a film crew doing a documentary on Hip-Hop & it was tight!

We hung out for about 2 hours & I just felt like I was in heaven. After everything was said & done, I got some awesome photos of the ladies, got my “One Step Forward” album cover autographed & basked in the glow of spending the evening with people who made/makes impact my life artistically.

All the way home, Suite Suzy & I were just in shock of the experience. I mean, I was so geeked, I could hardly sleep & currently running on fumes at work while I pull this post together.

I tell you, when you have a camera & not afraid of asking for what you want, all kinds of doors open. Point in case, I also met the chairman of the board of directors of the Detroit Music Hall & told him I wanted to see the National Ballet of China. He was cool as hell & hooked me up with a theater manager who is getting me tickets to Saturday’s performance.

I was also able to talk to one of the Hip-Hop documentary interviewers & copped 2 tickets to see John Singleton next month, who will be discussing media portrayals of Black life.

I’m so happy that I am not afraid to be tacky & tenacious because it paid off like a mutha fucka last night!!!

Warning: Adult With Toys

Never fuck with an angry Black man who - has high cholesterol, a big belly, a schizophrenic narcissistic personality disorder, a nephew named Thug Passion, hates watermelon & likes to play with toys.

My point is, well, I really don't have a point but it is Thursday night & I'm doing my weekly Thursday night jump off so you know I'm sipping on something nice. I have to start my weekend one day early & shit why not.

Anyway tomorrow actually today, Suite Suzy & I are having a childless date & we are both looking forward to it. We are starting off @ my favorite after work spot (the Centaur Bar), then enjoying a movie at the Detroit Film Theater & wrapping the evening at Twingos, which has become one of our favorites places to stuff our pie holes. Oh yeah, I would like to mention that we are going to see a move named "LaLee's Kin: The Legacy of Cotton". Yahoo describes it as:

"A vicious cycle of poverty and illiteracy plagues the contemporary Mississippi Delta; the legacy of slavery, sharecropping and the cotton industry. In this setting, against imposing odds and extreme hardship, great-grandmother LaLee Wallace, head of the African-American Wallace family, struggles to ensure a better future for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Also fighting poverty is Reggie Barnes, Superintendent of schools in the district. The school district is on probation from the state because of its low performance on standardized tests. But Barnes feels that his teachers face special problems trying to educate the children of illiterate parents, and he knows that if they can break this vicious cycle, there will be hope for the future."

Saturday I have a photo shoot in the afternoon, I am doing a few models & also some product shots so it will be pretty busy & in the evening, I am covering a store opening. Sunday I am back on the grind packaging Quench Essentials so send to LA for goody bags that will be given out at the Bordeaux (headed by Montserrat Gonzalezlugo (Monet Lugo), couture designer from Hermes and Jean Paul Gaultier) fashion show. More details on that later but I do know that Quench will hopefully touch some A-list skin!

Before I bounce, I had to share a photo of my friend Godwin Rabbit. I took this photo earlier today & love the final result. Check this link out to see what I used for the background. I think it's pretty amazing.

Holla,
Bygbaby

The Fat Lady Never Sung

Recently I purchased some lighting equipment to step my photography game up just a little bit. The items arrived last Thursday but I was very busy and could not play with anything this weekend because I was covering the opening of the opera season here in Detroit.

Yes, I went to the fucking opera for the 1st time in my life & it was fucking awesome! The opera I saw was Cyrano & the world premiere jumped off in Detroit this past Saturday.

Friday I attended the opera ball as a photographer representing the Detroit Fashion Pages & this event was fucking awesome (am I saying fucking awesome too much???). 1st of all, the tix were 600 bucks & luckily I was able to partake in all of the luxury & let me tell you, it was very luxurious.

Saturday, as I mentioned was the opera opening & I enjoyed every minute of it. The music was phenomenal, the costumes spectacular & everything else was just unreal. I guess the most unreal thing is the fact that I had a box seat in the inner circle. Seated next to me was local Detroit royalty. The current & former mayor & a whole bunch of mutha fuckas with all kinds of money.

After the opera, I attended the gala dinner, which was also 600 bucks per plate. This event was off the chain as well. The food, drink, & networking was plenty & yes I was working while having the time of my life.

At the risk of being ghetto as hell, I was able to sneak my BFF BFB in & he also sat in the box with me after intermission & attended the gala dinner. BFB had a ball & said one of his life dreams came true that night. The dream was to attend the opera at least once.

So between the two $600 a plate dinners, the Detroit Opera House was able to raise 3.5 million dollars. YES! You can see photos from both events here.

Anyway back to what this post was supposed to be about. Tonight when I got home from the plantation, I set up my lighting shit & went into the back yard for some photo fun.

Here is my favorite picture out of like 60. I got this chair from Ikea a few months ago in the “as is” area & have not used it since I got it home. Well I guess tonight I found the true reason why I was compelled to buy this somewhat useless red chair.

When I was going through my photos, I was thinking to myself, if I could have one person fill this chair for a once in a lifetime portrait, who would it be. After careful thought, I said, I would love for my grandmother who was known as mommie by all to be staring back at me through my ebony colored lens. I would give anything to see mommie for the slightest of a second. Even better would be to capture her in a photo that I could cherish forever the same way I cherish her memory now.

If you were the photographer & this was your empty red chair, who would be your dream to photograph & why come.

Listening Party for 1: Jill Scott's The Real Thing

If you ain’t got Jill Scott’s new album “The Real Thing: Words & Sounds Vol. 3”, you need to get yo’ ass to a store ASAP. Fuck iTunes & the rest of that online shit; this is the type of album where you need the entire CD at your disposal!

I think I was one of the 1st fanatics to go to my local Circuit City to pick it up Tuesday & it was so worth burning up my gas & work break.

Last night I was in the zone during my listening party for 1 sipping on my Courvoisier (yes, I am "The Ladies Man"), which was a birthday gift from my favorite Angry White Woman (Thanks Amy).

As my buzz took over my body & mind, I felt Jill in front of me serenading me with her smooth melodic soulfully sensual vibe. Damn I wish Suite Suzy could sing like this to me (I wonder if I could get her to lipsynch???). Well maybe not cause I would probably loose my job from falling asleep at work because of the night before (I think you know what I’m saying).

Anyway, the CD is packed with jams but my standouts other that "Hate on Me" are mos def:

• Crown Royal***
  
• Epiphany
  
• My Love***
  
• Insomnia
  
• Only You
  
• All I
  
• The Fact is (I need you (Live in Paris))***
  

I hope that my boo comes to town soon, so that I can throw a pair of my Tommy Hilfiger tighty whities on stage (again, yes, again)!

If you spent your money wisely & got this album, what are you feeling???

How Do I Look?

This hot slow motion shot was taken at the 30th Dally in the Alley (2007) in Detroit. This model was rocking a costume designed by Detroit Artist Ziam. This was my favorite shot from the show that I captured out of like 45. The motion blur is like ghostly perfect!

The Dally in the Alley is a true Detroit favorite event & jumps off the Saturday after Labor Day!!!

This Dally brings out people from all walks of life & no one is shamed by anything & I mean anything. I always have a great time at the Dally; well except for last year but that is kinda a long story.

I would ask you to caption this models thought as she hit the end of the runway but I am afraid of what you might say. Fuck it, caption it anyway, say in 6 words or less & I’ll go first. If I break my damn neck…

On a somewhat related note, hopefully soon, I will be able to give you the news that some of my work made it into one of Detroit hottest life style magazine, Hour Detroit. I am still waiting to hear & my fingers are so crossed now cuz this will be a major boost for my work.

New York City: I Don't Know Why I Love You

My post title is inspired by Gil Scott-Heron's "New York City" cut from his "It's Your World" album 1976.

“New York City, I don’t know why I love you
Maybe it’s because you're mine

Like so many others, I found it all to easy to stand off at a distance & criticize

But there ain’t nothing wrong with the city
Just some people been wrong there like every where else

New York City, I don’t know why I love you
Could be that you remind me of myself”

So I have been away for a few days on but now I am back up in this bitch with a vengeance & fully energized.

While I was out, I was in NYC on a lover’s getaway with my boo & now wife of 8 damn years. My 8th anniversary was last Thursday (07/12) & it was the best ever!

Suite Suzy & I always vacation for our anniversary & for the last 5 years we have been doing it in NYC. Yes I know, I know every year the same ole thing, right? Wrong! Each trip that we have had to NYC has been different from the others as we always discover new places, try different hotels, restaurants & neighborhoods, so it’s like we go on a different adventure in NYC every year.

This year we decided to go at a very slow & relaxed pace just kinda doing whatever happened & that is exactly what we did & it was fun being there without any concrete plans. Actually we had one plan that was confirmed & that was to hang out with Cluizel but everything else was up for grabs.

To spare you from all of the boring details, I’m just going to touch on trip highlights which made this trip one to remember.

Before I get into any of this I want to note that this year’s anniversary trip theme song was “Funkanova” (click to listen) by Wood, Brass & Steel. Every trip has to have a theme song!

The Highlights:

Meeting Friends:

• Daniel Marie – On our 1st night in the city we decided to go out for a few mojitos before dinner at the Bar in Victor’s Cuban Café (If you love mojitos, you have not had one until you had one @ Victor’s). So we perch at the bar near this seemingly quiet guy but soon as we placed out order, we found out that his ass was not quiet at all. The local bar fly introduced himself as Daniel Marie, who had a heavy European accent. He later revealed that he was from Geneva, CH & explained his fondness of yodeling.
  
  We actually sat and talked with Daniel Marie for over an hour & had some fun discussions on politics, the world cup (which I knew nothing about) & men pissing on toilet seats. We usually do not meet to many New Yorkers who engage in conversations especially in Manhattan so kicking it with Daniel Marie was really cool.
  
  
• Michelle aKa Cluizel – A little over a month ago we agreed to meet on my trip & I am so happy that we did! Cluizel is just as much fun in person as she is online. At first I was nervous cuz I never meet any online friends so to help present a clean image of myself, I decided not to be as ghetto as I am online, but that all went down the tubes after my 1st drink at the Negril Village, which is where we met for dinner. Cluizel, Suite Suzy & I turned that bitch out, laughing & talking more shit than a little bit.
  
  After dinner we hit the Village where the outing took a somewhat strange twist just before 9pm. We went to the village because the day before I purchased a new bead for my nipple ring & was having a hard time getting the new one in so I needed to go back the piercing parlor to have it put in. We get to the parlor, explain my dilemma & the weird sista working there hooked me up & minutes later my red new nipple bead was in place & I was happy. Once it was in Suite Suzy put me on the spot & requested that I show everyone my large nipple & nipple ring to which I was like no, because I was not sure if NYC was ready to see my nipple but the next thing I know, my shit was up & the nipple was out! The only thing running through my mind as my nipple was on display was OMG, Cluizel must think I am really out of my mind.
  
  Once all of the nipple drama was over, we all decided to get a genital piercing because they had a special & Cluizel demanded to go first, we were like ok! Just kidding, what of kind of people do you think we are??? After all of the nipple-based fun we decided to head to Times Square for some desert at Cold Stone Creamery one of my favorite places to be gluttonous. Shortly afterward we parted ways until the next time. Cluizel thanks for being you!!!
  
  Cluizel if you are reading, click here: mmmmmmmmm

Hotel, Leisure & Relaxation:

• Dream - Somehow I found out about this hotel and after I saw the website, I knew this would be the hotel to help make this trip over the top. Suite Suzy read a few reviews and they were not that great and I almost changed my mind but I said fuck it, let’s just do it.
  
  The Dream hotel had me hooked as soon as I hit the lobby and saw this huge saltwater fish tank, floor to ceiling & larger than life bronze statue of an Asian warrior with 2 bitches attached to him, one on either side. Unfortunately out room was not read yet so we had to kill like 4 hours so we had a little breakfast & ran a few errands to pass the time.
  
  It’s now about 130pm & we are walking into our room & it looked just like it did online. The bed was like floating on this blue light, there was a massive flat panel TV on the wall & bottom line is I was just like yes! This is what I am talking about! Because we had to get up at the ass crack of dawn to get our flight we were pretty tired especially when you factor in we got very little sleep the night before, so we decided to take a nap. Next thing you know, it was almost 4 hours later, then about 2 hours after that we get a ring at the door. I look out the peep hole & see a cleaning lady so I opened the door. She explained that she was there for turn down service & asked if we needed anything so we got a few extra towels & before she left, she gave us 2 big apples & wished us a good night.
  
  I had never been to a hotel that did turn down service before so it was a real treat especially on days we stayed gone for pretty much the entire day. The staff were all extra courteous & professional, with all this said, we will mos def stay at the Dream again!!!
  
  
• Washington Square Park - This is our park & a must do each time we go. WSP is always jumping with activity and I must say that the people watching some of the best if you are into people watching. It was just nice to be there sipping on a cold bottle of water, sitting under that shade having fun telling stories with my boo as life was happening around us.
  
  
• Chelsea Market - We found out about this place watching the Food Network & come to find out, this is where the Food Network is located. The Chelsea Market was busier that a beehive & filled with wonderful sights & smells. If you like baked goods, you would think that you died and went to heaven & if you are a diabetic, I caution you!
  
  This place almost has everything from a few grocery stores, restaurants, bakeries & little exotic boutiques to name a few. The Chelsea Market is the type of place that makes you want to live in NYC so you can go there everyday to get fresh foods.
  


• NYC Botanical Garden - OMG, you know I love flowers & all things botanical so this was a must do. Suite Suzy & I decided to visit Saturday morning & spend the afternoon there. This outing was soooooo beautiful not only because the flowers were breathtaking but also because Suite Suzy & I were slowly strolling through gardens spending some real time, which is hard to do any other day in our normal lives. Visiting NYC’s botanical garden seems like it is a real treat no matter what time of year you go because there is so much there.
  
  Shit we were there for about 4 hours and still did not see everything. So guess what, we have to put this on the agenda for a future trip.
  
  
• Central Park – When I walk through Central Park, I can hear Roberta Flack singing "That's The Time" in my head. Just something about that song makes me thing she is talking abot Central PArk in spring. Anyway, we took a little stroll through the park before we left Sunday & it again was beautiful! The only thing I do not like about areas of the park is the horses. I mean they are funky as hell almost so bad that if a gust of winds starts up, you can taste the smell.

Arts & Entertainment:

• Guggenheim - Our visit to the Guggenheim means that we have officially visited all of the “major” museums in NYC & I guess we saved the one of the best for last. The Guggenheim is featuring “The Shape of Space” exhibit, which is a pure orgy for the visual sense. The exhibit is very progressive & really seems like something that would be at the Museum of Modern Art, nevertheless it was awesome.
  
  Fortunately for the museum but unfortunately it is under massive exterior repair so we cold not get a good look at the legendary exterior façade designed by celebrated architect Frank Lloyd Wright
  

• Harry Potter: Order of the Phoenix – It’s awesome, nuff said!
  
  
• Platanos & Collard Greens – OK, if you live in NYC r nearby & have not seen this yet, go get some damn tickets now & fuck seeing the Color Purple for now! Platanos & Collard Greens was off the chain it was so refreshing to see something that actually deals with real life scenarios that deals with the relationships of Africans in the Diaspora with a specific focus on Afro-Latinos & Afro-Americans. I will tell you, I am happy that I read the 5 part piece that the Miami Herald did recently on Afro-Latinos because it P&CG dealt with some of the issues presented in the MH.
  
  The one thing that turned me off at this event was some of the crowd. The play started @ 8pm & niggas were still walking in at 830 & someone in my row actually walked in 20 minutes into the 2nd act; OK why did they even bother even coming at all. Why come niggas can’t get no place on time???? Even people in the very 1st row were showing up late as hell. I will not even get into all of these grown assed men wearing hats in-doors!?!?!?!
  

  Hat Etiquette: Indoors, a man should always remove his hat, (particularly in a home, church, courtroom or restaurant) except:
  
  - in some public buildings or public places such as railroad stations or post offices
  - in the main parlor area of a saloon or general store
  - or while seated at the "lunch counter" of a diner or cafe
  - in entrance halls and corridors of office buildings, or hotels
  - in elevators of public or office buildings, unless a woman is present
  - if carrying packages, parcels or bags and both hands are occupied upon entry
  - if the man is an actor or performer and the hat is being worn as a part of a costume or performance

  
  From the website: “Platanos & Collard Greens is the hit romantic comedic play that tells the story of Freeman, an African-American man, and Angelita, a Latino woman, who are both forced to confront and overcome cultural and racial prejudices, while defending their bond from family and friends.
  
  Platanos will remind you of your family, your love and your life. Platanos is guaranteed to make you laugh, inspire you, and make you think!
  

Platanos has enchanted audiences of over 40,000 both Off Broadway in New York City and at over 100 colleges and universities in more than 17 states around the country.”

If it was not for Cluiziel, I would have not known about this production, so thanks again. Luckily, we were able to get like the last 2 tickets available for the Saturday night’s performance!

Good Eats:

• Chevy’s - If you like junk food TexMex, this is the spot. We love it & were bummed out when the closed the restaurant near is at home so we make it a point to go here whenever we are in NYC.
  


• Victors Café - This is some real Cuban & has never disappointed. They have the best pork chops on the damn planet! The pork chops are so good, we made 2 visits for dinner during out trip. These pork chops are so good, they will make you wanna bitch slap your great grand mother. Did I mention that they have phenomenal mojotos???
  


• Frank's Butcher Shop & Steakhouse - This was good little find for lunch while visiting the Chelsea. The portions were good & the prices were just right! I got a chicken club & Suite Suzy got a burger. Although the service was not the best, we do have this on our list to a spot to hit in the future.
  


• Negril Village - OMFG!!! This is one of the best restaurants in NYC. Again thanks to Cluizel, this was a great outing because a) the food was damn good b) the drinks were slamming b) the crowd was hip & chilled & c) the company was great.
  
  I ate like way too much but fuck it you only live once. Here is what I ate Codfish Fritters (app), Collard Green Wontons (app), Jerk Chicken (ent) & 3 caipirinhas; this is just my food. The bill was off the hook but so fucking worth it.
  
  This is mos def on the must visit again list!!!
  
  
• Norma’s - If you love breakfast, this is a must do. This shit ain’t cheap so you can’t go up in hear broke, shit French toast is 17 bucks! I feel bad saying that we go here so much on our visits that the staff fucking remembers us, maybe this is because when I go, I always show a little nipple for a discount. (ask to be seating in Kimberly's area, this sista is on top of her game & is always very nice to Suite Suizy & I!)
  

On our 5 day trip it may seem like we did a lot but we really did not do much for us. Anyway, I took many pictures but too tired now to sort through them all so stay tuned for some snapshots.

For our anniversary next year we decided to go somewhere else & right now we are considering Montreal, The Bahamas, LA/San Fran, San Antonio & Miami. We have a few months to make a final decision & I already excited! But we did decide to do NYC for one of our little side trips.

Peace,
Bygbaby

AB & The Souljourners Next Week

If you are in Detroit or the surrounding area, this is a must attend event. Quench Essentials is a party sponsor & I have tickets available for only 10 dollars!!!!

If you are not up on AB & The Souljourners, I highly suggest that you check them out; this is some hot shit. Wait:::: you can get an AB & The Souljourners taste on my Nappy Head Initial Mix podcast mix here.

Peace & hope to see you out.

Bygbaby