Generally Fly

J.Holiday may be a one-trick pony, but I like his trick. Here’s the new video for “It’s Yours”

J. Holiday – It’s Yours

Rockstar Games is about to drop their new Grand Theft Auto IV gameplay add-on The Lost and Damned on February 17 exclusively for Xbox 360. I’m not a very good driver (or anything else) on GTA4, but I really do love watching people play when they know what they’re doing. The graphics and storyline are awesome, so can’t wait to see how this new story comes out! Here are some facts and new trailers:

Johnny is a veteran member of The Lost, a notorious biker gang. Johnny has been creating business opportunities for The Lost in Liberty City, but his first loyalty must be to the patch he wears on his back and to Billy Grey, the club’s President. However, when Billy returns from rehab hell-bent on bloodshed and debauchery, Johnny finds himself in the middle of a vicious turf war with rival gangs for control of a city torn apart by violence and corruption. Can the brotherhood survive?

Developed by series creator Rockstar North and set in Liberty City, Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned features a new main character, Johnny Klebitz, and plot that intersects with the storyline of Grand Theft Auto IV; new missions that offer an entirely fresh way to explore Liberty City with new multiplayer modes, weapons and vehicles; and a diverse soundtrack with additional music — all with the incredible production values that are the trademarks of Grand Theft Auto. 

Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned is the highly-anticipated first episode of Grand Theft Auto IV downloadable content for Xbox 360® and will be available exclusively on Xbox LIVE® on February 17th, 2009 worldwide.

FEATURES: 

• All-new missions and a new storyline that interweaves with the original story arc of Grand Theft Auto IV. 
• Play as Johnny, a member of The Lost Motorcycle Club. Experience Liberty City now with the perspective and lifestyle of a member of a biker gang. 
• Added range of weapons – including the all-new grenade launcher and sawed-off shotgun. New weapons will be available for use in single-player and in all new multiplayer modes. 
• New vehicles – featuring a collection of bikes that include Johnny’s own customized heavy-duty chopper. 
• New and improved bike handling and physics. 
• Set of new action-packed multiplayer modes – details coming soon. 
• All-new in-game TV, internet and radio content featuring new radio shows and original music. 
• Plus new side-missions and Xbox 360 Achievements… 

It was announced last Fall that the multi-talented Sheila E, P-funk master George Clinton, and ’80′s pop star Taylor Dayne would all be appearing on Gone Country 3. This show airs on CMT Saturday nights at 10:00pm with a “sneak peek” earlier in the day, and just started today (1/24). I told you, I watch way too much TV.

If you never watched Season 1 with Bobby Brown and Sisqo (Julio Iglasias Jr. won), or Season 2 with Jermaine Jackson and two episodes of an “I’m too good for this sh*t” Irene Cara (rocker Sebastian Bach won), then you might want to tune in. This is one of the more interesting “comeback” celebreality shows on TV in my not-so-humble opinion. 

Other contestants vying for a spot as the next Country music sensation on Season 3 include American Idol reject Justin Guarini (for goodness sake, can we cut that hair off yet?), fallen Miss America (or Mess America as she says) Tara Conner, former Monkee member Micky Dolenz (loved them when I was 5… let’s not put a date on that), and actor-turned-rock singer Richard Greico (does anyone remember being mad when they tried to “replace” Johnny Depp with him? They were on the show at the same time, but this guy was stealing some thunder… Ok, let’s not date that either… )

Despite the odd line-up on Gone Country 3, there’s actually some solid talent in this bunch. Although she’s not the best singer, I think Sheila E is going to wow everyone -- but is that really surprising? Let’s take a look back at this amazing woman. So she wasn’t so adept with acting or rapping, but you can’t win ‘em all. 

“The Belle of St. Mark” -- circa 1984 (great ’80s hair!)

“Hollyrock” from Krush Groove in 1985

“Love Bizarre” video -- 1986 with clips from Krush Groove

“Koo Koo” video 1987. This song was some crap, but she was still hella fly.

“Love Bizarre” live with Prince, 1987

Live drum solo 1987

Drum solo in 1988…

On the congos with Tito Puente in 1989

Into the 2000′s… here she is doing a little Gospel with her own flair

And here is a more recent photo of Sheila E.

She may not use as much hairspray these days, but she can still rock the hell outta those drums! I won’t be mad if she wins Gone Country 3 and has a new hit song. She actually is about to drop a new album with her family, and Sheila dropped a few words to fans about her reasons for doing the show on the CMT show blog:

~I really wanted to do this show because I love country music. I’ve always been a fan of country music. I listen to a lot of Christian and Gospel music which sometimes is country and contemporary. To be able to write a song with some of the best country songwriters and producers, it would be pretty awesome, and it’s a good door for me to walk into, and a challenge. I think I can write a country song, I have the tools to do it. It’s just figuring out what to do. Lyrically I could possibly do it because that’s what I can relate to with country artists, are the lyrics and being honest and sincere about our lives. We write about situations or someone else’s, but musically it’s going to be different, so I’m excited about that. It’s going to be challenging, but I’m going to try and make this as fun as possible. I would be one to say that I would never do a reality television show, because I’m one to watch and go, “I would never do that.” And the only reason why I’m doing it is because of the songwriting. So if that’s what it takes to get through all that to do this, then it’s worth it. ~

If you know me then you already know – I’m SUCH a huge B.o.B. fan. Here is his latest video for “I’ll Be In The Sky,” depicting him as somewhat of a Hip Hop Superman. Indeed!

Shouts to B-Rich, TJ Chapman, Jim Jonsin and the good folks at Atlantic who are all making sure that B.o.B. gets his just due in this crazy industry!

myspace.com/bobatl

I mean damn… Columbus Short is like a quintuple threat! Check out this “drum off” between Columbus and his friend Daniel James of the indie rock band Vitamins for Voyeurs.

Columbus Short

Seal is back! Then again, did he really go anywhere? I love this man’s voice. He’s got a new cover of Curtis Mayfield’s  ”People Get Ready” -- so soothing. Check out the video!

Jamie Foxx is finally getting ready to put this new album out! Can’t wait!

Here’s the new video for “Just Like Me” featuring T.I. – with a pretty cute ending! I just adore Taraji Henson!

Just Like Me ft. T.I. – Jamie Foxx

I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving! I had a good time with friends, and spoke with my mom and my sister -- and of course my meal turned out lovely. Thanks to Rachael Ray’s show for the carving tips on the turkey -- for the first time I was able to clean the whole bird off with just a few skillful cuts!

In case you missed it, here is Barbara Walters’ full interview with Barack and Michelle Obama from the November 26 episode of 20/20. What a beautiful couple! He is going to be our flyest President ever!

It was officially reported today that John Forte’s sentence was commuted by President Bush. I’m pretty psyched for him, since I think he’s going to have a lot to offer the music community upon his return to the big city. He’s been making music while he’s been locked up, and even though I haven’t communicated with him since around ’05, I am quite sure he’s got some sort of master plan to put out his new stuff.

I first corresponded with John back in ’97/’98 when he had his music site, and his message board was quite the rage. This is the board where I first met the people who would eventually lead me over to Okayplayer.com in 1999. John also came through Seattle with Wyclef and Canibus (who eventually got stationed at Fort Lewis by my house when he joined the army – that’s a whole other story), but I never spoke to him that time.

Through my crazy posts on his music site, John and I began conversing via email – generally about music, life and a bunch of nothing really. He was funny and smart, and I was absolutely shocked when I learned about his arrest. I couldn’t even believe it!

The first time I ever visited New York in September 2000, John was the person who convinced me to make the trip – despite the fact I had just left my job, had no money and no real plans for my future. He told me I HAD to come and see the city, and he let me stay at his mom’s house in East New Brunswick (talk about a five million mile cab ride!). He was on house arrest at the time, and we spent one day watching the first season of Sex & The City on DVD with one of his friends. He made sure that I got into the city to hang out with my Okayplayer friends in Brooklyn, and it was one of the greatest memories of my life.

Because of that trip, I fell in love with NYC, and finally moved her in 2004. Isn’t it funny how your life can change meeting just one person? Much less all the dozens of people who have inspired me along the way… oh, I have stories…

I’ll be eternally grateful for John’s kindness, and I hope he finds happiness as he comes back home to his family. Finally George Bush did something I approve of!

John Forte

I just got the word that Michigan Hip Hop pioneer MC Breed passed away in his sleep last night. Breed had been battling with a kidney failure he suffered a couple of months ago, and had been making new music with groups like The Bake Up Boyz. Blessings go out to his family and friends.

I remember back in the day how hype we would get when “Ain’t No Future In Your Frontin” came on in the club… my Seattle pal Sonny Bonoho just told me via Twitter that he remembered me dancing to that song back in the day. Good times.

Breed, thanks for the memories, and may your soul rest in eternal peace.

Here is a pretty thorough “Best of MC Breed” tribute

And here is The Bake Up Boyz 2007/2008 single “Now I Can Do That” (f/ Jim Jones) video with Breed in the cameo. The Bake Up Boyz’ album has yet to be officially released, but Breed had some features and was a mentor to the group.

MC Breed with The Bake Up Boyz in 2007