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Waterfalls & Wonder Years

Posted by :Peauxetic Expressions On : April 25, 2013
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Category: Music Monday

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Singer Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and Cube

Today marks the passing of one of the most creative and vibrant musical talents the entertainment industry has ever seen. This woman sold millions of records as one-third of the largest selling female R & B group of all time. She was also an arsonist and was so outspoken that she often caused dissension in her own group. But she had the gifts to back up the gab and her legacy is far greater than the controversy that surrounded her. From designing stage sets for concerts, writing songs, designing clothes, creating paintings and even building furniture, you name she could probably do it. 11 years later it still seems odd to reference her in the past tense, but her legacy still lives on. Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes may be gone in the physical sense, but her presence will never be forgotten. It will definitely be interesting to see how hip hop artist Lil Mama pulls off portraying such an amazing woman in the upcoming TLC Biopic, CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story.

And in case you didn’t know, today is National Poetry Month. Seeing as how there’s just a fine line between a rap and a poem, here’s a performance from TLC with Left Eye performing one of my favorite poems/raps.

Full VH1 Documentary, The Last Days of Left Eye

Plus, check out a new poem I’ve written below called “Wonder Years”.

Wonder Years

In the beginning
Things were cruising cool
We were running free and wild
Without a care
Wind blowing through my hair
Though mine is gone now
We stayed up late until
Our eyelids collapsed
Said we wouldn’t do it again
But longed for the relapse
We said what we felt
And left no apologizes
Tip toed to the edge
No matter how dangerously
It felt like ice cream truck
Goodies we’d race outside to eat
Sun melting down our backs
As we walked down
What seemed to be a never ending street
Innocence, now gone
Now we are aware of time, space, and restriction
We are not free in our skin
And strapped to other people’s opinions
Too conscious of image
Loosing ourselves in the abyss
Who knew growing up
Would ever feel like this?
No time for pleasure
And priorities are skewed
Climbing up the ladder
But we never reach the roof
Can somebody send
The ice cream truck my way?
I could use a break today
These wonder years were wonderful
Until we fully grew out of them
Abandoning naivety
If I knew they would have passed this fast
I would have never let go of them

CrazySexyCreep

Posted by :Peauxetic Expressions On : April 15, 2013
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Category: Music Monday

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TLC 2

As TLC gears up for the release (filming has already been completed) of its upcoming VH1 Biopic (CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story), music video director Lionel C. Martin (Boyz II Men’s ” End of the Road and SWV’s “Right Here”) has also released a never before seen video of their hit song “Creep”. Although I prefer the one that was shot with Matthew Rolston (Salt N Pepa’s “None of Your Business, Brandy’s “Wildest Dreams”), this video is still quite entertaining. It takes a more grungy approach than the polished final version. You’ll notice that Left Eye seems a bit removed from the creeping shenanigans, while T-Boz takes center stage for the main skit of her literally sneaking out of the window and making it back home just in time before her boyfriend notices she’s gone. And Chilli finds herself creeping on a man whose hair is just as long as hers….and he has his own secret.

It’s a comical video done only the way TLC can. Plus, who else can wear ripped up jeans and shirts that resemble car wash wipers and still look sexy??? Check out the video below and a rare remix that features one of Left Eye’s most interesting raps. It totally contradicts the whole meaning of the song. Always the rebel, she originally wanted to wear black tape over her mouth in the music video and wasn’t pleased with the song’s message and it’s selection as being the lead single from CrazySexyCool. 

Unreleased “Creep” Video

“Creep” Remix w/ Left Eye’s Rap

 

T-Boz: Still A Champ

Posted by :Peauxetic Expressions On : January 28, 2013
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Category: Music Monday

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T-Boz Champ

As T-Boz’s reality show, “Totally T-Boz”, came to a close last Tuesday, January 18th, she announced a very special release that she’s been working on. It’s her new song, “Champion”. It’s a step in the direction of launching her own solo career (while balancing upcoming TLC obligations) that she so anxiously wants. I’m not sure if now is the best time for her to embark on a solo career, but she definitely has one heck of a resume. Despite the fact that TLC hasn’t released a CD in 2002′s 3D, they are still one of the best-selling female groups (and groups period) of all time, with over 65 million records sold worldwide. Plus, with her beating the odds once again with her brain tumor recovery, she has at the very least proven that she has a compelling story to tell. Nevertheless, I’m excited about the new TLC music coming soon and the possibility of T-Boz’s own records.

In an era where meaningful lyrics seem to have been tossed out the window, “Champion” not only has an inspiring message but is also helping fund research for such diseases as sickle-cell anemia, lupus and leukemia. Not some, but all proceeds will go towards finding a cure for these diseases. I’m not too fond of the production here and it sounds a bit unfinished, but I like the melody, lyrics and T-Boz’s signature scratchy tone here. If there’s anyone who can sing a song like this and really have lived it and mean it, it’s T-Boz. You can help be a champion by downloading the single on iTunes and contributing to important disease research.

What do you think of  ”Champion”? Is T-Boz better solo or should she stick with TLC?

T-Boz Champ 2

Bump It Or Dump It? Remakes, Re-Up & Recycle

Posted by :Peauxetic Expressions On : November 5, 2012
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Category: Music Monday

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Stooshe: Waterfalls

You know a song is a hit when it gets remade by another artist. What is even better is if the song is remade within the original artist’s lifetime and they endorse it. This is the case with English R & B trio Stooshe, who recently remade TLC’s “Waterfalls”. The group nails the pop elements of the song and doesn’t deviate much from its original version. The group decided to sing Left Eye’s rap in unison (which works well) and they performed at the 2012 MOBO Awards on Saturday. TLC were also honored for Outstanding Contributions to Music. The song lacks the gravel toned funk of T-Boz’s lead vocals, but the music video is pretty cool and T-Boz and Chilli liked it well enough to make a cameo at the end. Their self titled debut CD is set to hits stores next month.

 Ester Dean: Can’t Make You Love Me

“Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt has been remade so many times, I’ve almost gotten sick of the original and any remakes of it. There have definitely been some good ones (Tank’s is probably my favorite to date), but Ester Dean decided to put a techno pop spin to it. Her version is fresh and upbeat, despite the fact that it sounds eerily similar to Rihanna’s “We Found Love”. The song is lifted from her upcoming Story Never Told CD. In the meantime, you can catch her in the new comedy flick, “Pitch Perfect”.

Kendrick Lamar Featuring Drake: Poetic Justice

Ok, so I had to find out what all the hype was bout on Kendrick Lamar. I bought his CD a couple of weeks ago and I will definitely say it was worth the buy (check out my complete CD review on his good kid, m.A.A.d city project on my post later today) . Although, a little weird at times, good kid, m.A.A.d city delivers and is consistent throughout. Now if we can just get Dr. Dre to release that Detox album (he executive produced this CD). One of my favorite songs on the CD is “Poetic Justice” Featuring Drake. The Janet Jackson “Anytime, Anyplace” sample is perfect here and it’s a bit nostalgic in a good way. Drake’s verse compliments well here, but Kendrick Lamar holds his own strong. Believe the hype…this song and the CD are great.

Nicki Minaj Featuring Cassie: The Boys 

Aagghhh…Nicki Minaj. The super animated, over imaged rap artist we love to hate…but love. Right on time for her Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded Re-Up re-release (say that 5 times fast), she has dropped a new single and video featuring Cassie. There are some artists that just make almost any song better (Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, Pink…maybe even Nicki Minaj), but Cassie? I’m still scratching my head on this collaboration. The video is entertaining to watch to say the least, but as for the song? I like the beat, but the subject matter here isn’t anything new….