"I'm in Between But..."

So I've spent most of my day looking at what's new in music and fashion. I've failed for the most part but while going through some sites,  I remembered a Mariah Carey video that had Pharrell in it. I remember when I first saw it i thought, (No Homo) "Yo this dude is kinda fresh". I felt his style in the video was fresh and was something I always wanted to do. SO... that being said, Here's the video. Enjoy! (I fools with the song as well)

But Wait.... There's More

Be Easy,

T

Let's Take it Back Shall We...

So I was trying to put this song on my blog but it kept playing as a 30 sec snippet instead of the actual song. And Yes... It pissed me off! So I decided to make a post with the video... Enjoy!

Be Easy,

T

Am I Late?

Seeing Sounds: June 10th

Everyone Nose

Be Easy,

T

Flashing Lights Trilogy...

Here's what Kanye had to say....

"I shot 3 vids for 'Flashing Lights' cuz I ain't like the first 2,"."I loved the 3rd one that I released with Spike [Jonze] and hit the world with that. I actually had Sam Speigal, Spike's brother and co-orchestrater of THE TOUR MUSIC, do a remix 2 the scary one 2 make the music fit. I planned 2 put it on a DVD later this year. No rants here just an explanation of why y'all getting those other vids rt now that I ain't approve and why I ain't finna post neither on my blog. So I hope whoever leaked them got the shine they was looking 4 cause that's all they'll get now. And I know that's incorrect english but that's how I talk when I want 2. Oh and I've just been 2 busy 2 get at the New York Times for all that his Ego BLAH BLAH BLAH bullsh-- so stay tuned. For fun, I want yall 2 read this whole post in the Grandma's Boy JP robot voice LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Part Uno:

Part Dos:

Part Tres:

Favorite's the second one but three is creepin up,

T

So Ironic, it deserves its own post...

So being the bored person that I am, I'm up at 3:43 looking at Usher album reviews and I stumble across a site talkin about what he had planned for his release date. It was lame but right when I was going to another site something caught my eye. A person with the name CoolgirlTe wrote a comment saying she stay bumpin Trading Places... Being that I just said in my previous post that Trading Places was my favorite song off the album AND being that my name on here is Cool guy T just temporarily blew my mind...Craziness (Coincidence?)

Be Easy,

T

CoolgirlTe can't stop bumpin trading places  

Anticipation is Over...

So I've had Usher's new album for about a week now and I've been listening and deciphering the it. My initial thought was that it was ok and I thought the songs were not "catching" me. A lot of the songs are not like his other albums where you loved em at first listen BUT I'm starting to realize that this album is like Novocain. It takes awhile to start taking effect but when it has you... It Has You! 

The album came out today so I'm expecting everyone to have heard it by friday. The few people I've talked to about it that has heard the album ALL expressed that its a week album. So naturally, I've been defending it. As I said before, you can't look at this album in the shadow of Confessions. They are two totally different albums with two different feels to them. My roommate brought up an interesting point that I feel is true. Usher has reached the point in his career where he doesn't have to worry about having songs that appeals to everyone and that is universal. "Confessions" went Certified Diamond so he knows that people will buy this album off  the respect of "Confessions" and his other albums. Also this really is a good album so people won't be sorry for getting it. BUT I will say that this album is for true Usher fans.  I feel like he made sure this album was about HIM. His second child almost (I'm slightly beastin' I know). Shit he has gone through a marriage, a kid and its been 3 years since Confessions; so I feel he has matured musically. It's about time he puts out a piece of work that is highly personal to him because he can do that now and be still be successful.

With that being said, of course people listening to it for the first time will think its weak and everyone I talked to that expressed disdain for the album has only listened to it once and not even in its entirety. I'm not even gonna lie. I actually stopped listening to the album for a day or two because I wasn't initially intrigued. But being the Usher fan that I am (been ride or die since My Way), I picked it back up and listened to it for the lyrical content and out of context of all other Usher albums and I can truly say that I LOVE the album. His style of singing is slightly different. How he decides to flow with each song is poppin and the lyrics and concepts I FOOLS with. My favorite song is Trading Places but unfortunately I can't find a good version on imeem to put it on my blog. Naturally, I can't expect everyone to like it, nor do I care, but it definitely deservea credit for being a pretty good album. Listen, Decipher, Understand, then get back to me on  it.... Thanks

Be Easy,

T

P.S... This is a small clip sort of backing up what I'm saying.

Terence Loves the Kids...

So I've been working at Upward Bound since November of last year. The reason why I applied for it is because its 10 bucks an hour from 3-6 Tuesday through Friday and 9-3 on Saturdays. So my thinking was, "Ok, imma get paid a good amount of money with hours that aren't crazy and all I gotta do is tutor kids in high school math...Simple" Nope. First off, I went through the craziest interview process for no damn reason. I friggin' had a three part interview where I spoke with the director, then take a cumulative final (No joke), then I had to pretend that I'm teaching the guy how to do some problems. I literally had a lunch break and I still had to come in early the next day to finish the whole thing. Any who... I caught the jack with that.

 Now on to the reason for this post all together. You see, this job started off with my MAIN concern being to tutor and get the hell outta there. BUT as time progressed, I started to develop relationships with the kids and I came to the conclusion that it aint only about the money... It aint only about the tutoring... Its about being a positive role model while assisting the students in there school work. You see, my job title is TM (Tutor/Mentor) so that means that its my job to help these kids with LIFE issues. I feel there's so much more shit goin on in these kids lives than just grades. Mind you, these kids/students (they hate when you call them kids) gotta go through an extensive interview process and they have to have pretty good grades just to get in the program; so their not dumb or crazy. 

So I now find myself not only asking, "What work you gotta do?" but "Hows life?" as well. Kids these days be going through some real shit. I mean those of you who heard Just Greg's kids at Philalive know these kids be going through some shit. So with that understanding and seeing how influential I can be to these kids motivates me to set the best example I can. For the longest I've been trying to set up like a little sit down and just talk about whats going on in their lives outside of school. Now you know kids these days think they're grown and that they have experienced everything there is to experience so I feel our job is to help them develop the right mentality to help them through the next step in theirs lives which is college. With experience comes knowledge and just think about ALL the shit we went through (and still is going through) in college. We (T/M's) have the advantage of KNOWING so why not pass that on as well as how to solve an Algebra problem...

I try to do my part. On saturdays I get together with my students outside of the program and play ball. I try to answer any questions they may have not just about academics but about personal issues as well. 

So to wrapp up my ramblings.... I've develop a new appreciation for my job. 

Terence Loves his kids...

Be Easy,

T

Connect 4, Drinkin, and Coolin is what I do!

So I've been in Philly pretty much since classes ended and I've yet to find something truly poppin to do other than coolin with my peoples, drinkin and Connect 4... So to the select few that reads this: What Up! (I had more to say but, I just don't feel like typing anymore.) I'm here. If you're here too then we could get something poppin.

Be Easy,

T

Sorry, I had to do it...

So I just post two videos back to back. Then I went to Redd's blog and saw that Usher has a new video for Moving Mountains. Sorry Redd, I had to bite...

Oh yeah. So I got "Here I Stand" already and I've been slightly having a hard time assessing it. Everyone who I told I have it asked the same damn question. "How is it compared to "Confessions"?". Truthfully, I can't say just yet. We all know confessions was a phenomenal album but I'm coming to the conclusion that this album needs to be looked at in its own light, instead of in the shadow of "Confessions". "Here I Stand" is a good album and it honestly shows the growth in this dude. Let me know what yall think about it.... (When it comes out in a few days cuz yall are not exclusive like me lol j/k)

Be Easy, 

T

While I'm at It...

So I just posted the video for Try Again by Raheem DeVaughn, and that made me think of other New Poppin Videos. So of course I had to put this one on the blog. This video and song not only makes me hype as shit but.... Yeah I don't have anything else to follow that. It's just that good. You people already know how ill The Roots are.... Enjoy!

Oh, everyone who is reading this PLEASE PAY ATTENTION. 

THIS IS A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT!

IF YOU HAVEN'T PICKED UP THE "RISING DOWN" ALBUM YET, I WILL PERSONALLY HUNT YOU DOWN, TIE YOU UP, AND FORCE YOU TO LISTEN TO THE WHOLE ALBUM.....UNTILL YOU LOVE IT. (THIS SHOULD OCCUR WITH JUST ONE LISTEN) THANK YOU!

Be Easy,
T

Did He Really Do This...

So I'm looking on imeem for the song Try Again by Raheem DeVaughn because that song is simply poppin! Any who, in searching for the song I stumble across the fact that this fool (Meant in a good way) made a video for the song that I had no idea was being made. So here it is dammit! A Poppin Ass Song... and Video!!!

P.S.... You can't tell me that asian chick isn't BAD!!!

Be Easy,

T

Funny Shit! Just Watch...

Be Easy,
T

MC ~ "Move the Crowd"

MTV's Top MC's of 2008

1. Kanye West

2. Jay-Z

3. Lil Wayne

4. Rick Ross

5. 50 Cent

6. Snoop Dogg

7. Lupe Fiasco

8. Young Jeezy

9. Andre 3000

10. T.I.     

Ok. First off, I wanna say that this list is ok but I have a few discrepancies. First and foremost, Andre 3000 definitely didn’t get the credit he deserved. They had him at 10 then put him at 9 AND the only reason they even put Andre 3000 at 9 is because T.I. had to fall back cuz of the legal issues. Regardless of the legal issues of T.I, Andre 3000 consistently threw it down on the tracks he got on. “International Players Anthem”…. classic ass song. In my opinion, Andre 3000 MADE that song and that’s not even it. I could mention others like “Walk it Out” remix, “I Want You” remix or even “Throw Some D’s” remix but that’s not even necessary. All I gotta say is “The Art of Storytellin’ Part 4”. Granted this dude ain’t put out an album but the list is not called “MTV’s Top Hip-Hop Albums of 08”, its called “Top MC’s of 08”. 

  When I hear the acronym “MC”, all I can do is think LYRICAL CONTENT. Sure, ill flows and poppin beats play a lot into songs but if the song is not lyrically on point then what’s the purpose? We talking bout Hip-Hop right? OK. Don’t get me wrong, T.I. does his thing but to me Andre 3000 has him beat.  (Just had to break you off a piece of what he was saying in “The Art of Storytellin’ 4”)

 

“She said, why in the club and you don’t make it precipitate, you know, Make it rain when you can make it Thunder Storm. I’m like why? The world needs sun, the hood needs funds, there’s a war goin on and half the battle is guns. How dare I throw it on the floor while people are poor. So I write like Edger Allen to restore.” – Andre 3000

 

  Next off. Lupe Fiasco! He definitely did not receive as much credit as he deserves. This dude not only put out a wonderful album with “Food and Liquor” but he then came even more Hott Fire lol with “The Cool”. Personally, I love “The Cool”. This album dealt with problems black people face in the general sense by introducing characters and making it a concept album. Think of it as a movie. He comes up with The Cool, The Streets and The Game. Basically a Black Man getting influenced by the Game and caught up in the Streets. Lupe isn’t rappin about how he sold this drug and shot this person and got out the dope game or no shit like that. But he understands what goes on and he’s rapping bout it while also talking bout shit that’s going on in his life. Now Jeezy is cool but come on. I feel like Jeezy hasn't progressed lyrically. What makes a great MC is the ability to evolve and improve. Jeezy is stagnant. 

Now on Snoop. I agree with dude when he said that Snoop lost points when he said he didn't write all of his rhymes. I understand Snoops logic but there are A LOT of different ways to put people on. Don't let them write rhymes for you. Put them on a track instead. If you let someone write for you and claim that thats giving them a foot in the door, to me thats BULLSHIT. When we hear a Snoop song, (those of us that are still listening) don't say, "That line was poppin, I wonder who wrote it?" Nah, we say, "Snoop killed it". Bascially, Snoop lost points and this list is for ill MC's of 2008, so "OLD Snoop" shouldn't hold so much weight on his spot on this list. So Lupe should have been above Snoop as well. Bottom-line, Lupe deserved more credit.

 

  Now as far as the rest of the list goes, I felt their arguments were ok. I still don’t understand why they were even considering Solja Boy to be on the list. Like I said before, when I hear “MC” I think Lyrical Content, something that should NOT be associated with Solja Boy. If you go back to the origin of MC, it controversially means “master of ceremonies”. The MC hypes up the DJ and speaks to the crowd. According to Rakim, this person’s responsibility was to “move the crowd”. In my opinion, it didn’t just mean to make them dance but to Move them mentally as well. Personally, I don’t get moved to someone yelling “Yah Trick Yah”. I don’t care if he can make a whole club do one dance or if he sold 3 million ringtones. That’s just irrelevant to the list. Thank you.

P.S.... Is it too much to ask to have Black Thought even considered for the fucking list. I mean damn!!!

 

Be Easy,

T

Home is the place where my mind can be at ease...

“Home is a place not only of strong affections, but of entire unreserved; it is life's undress rehearsal, its backroom, its dressing room, from which we go forth to more careful and guarded intercourse.” - Harriet Beecher Stowe

Be Easy,

T

Co-workers United!

So I'm at work sitting next to Angelene and she requested that I write a post about her. I kindly obliged and started writing this. While writing the first few words she walked by and sternly said, "Make sure it's not WACK!" So per her request... I'm gonna try. My posts come spur of the moment so a planned one (like this) has the possibility of being subpar. But it won't..... Now I've known Angelene for a few months now and we've hit the point in our relationship where we can share semi-personal stories (Only a select few co-workers I've had in my life has elevated to that level). She's cool peoples and I'm not saying that because she asked me to write something about her even though she's most likely gonna read this. We share stories, converse on certain situations and.... I got to get to work cuz kids are starting to come in.

So to wrapp of my rambling.... She's Angelene.

Be Easy,
T

Anticipation!

So being a Music junkie that I am, I'm obviously looking forward to Usher's new album HERE I STAND. Now, we all jam to "Love in this Club" so that just fueled the anticipation even more. I even went as far as finding some released tracks from the album because thats how dedicated I am to his music (Not a groupie as a one Ms. Mariann used to call me). So I go on iTunes music store and they have the entire album ready to pre-order so I got hype. Yeah, I'll admit it. I got hype dammit.

So to wrapp up my ramblings.... I'm ready to hear what he has to say.

Be Easy,

T

Summer Love

So I'm basically stuck in Philly for the WHOLE SUMMER but ask me if I care..... NOPE. I'm not mad. I'm actually looking forward to this summer because A) I'll be working with my kids this summer and I get a weird sense of fulfillment when dealing with them. It's like I get a wonderful sense of satisfaction when I know, Im helping in their growing experience whether it be to help them with their grades or just help them through a tough situation. LORD knows when we were in high school, we dealt with a lot more stuff than just grades. So I feel as a Tutor/Mentor (My official job title), we must instill more support and motivation on them AND show them (by example) that SUCCESS is readily available to those who APPLY! 

 B) My BestFriend in the whole wide world is interning here this summer. Her and I haven't truly chilled because she goes to Boston College and I'm obviously attending Temple U. During summer months in the past she lives in Jersey and I unfortunately still reside in the Poconos; so you can see the conflict that occurs.... We already begun making plans for how we gonna spend almost every damn day together and apparently, a lot of Temple will still be out here as well. SOOOOO, ladies and gentlemen, this should be a rather interesting summer. So to wrapp up my ramblings.... I can't wait!

Be Easy,

T

Life

So I'm basically wrappin up my junior year and things are more gloomy than when it started. But thats Life, right? You can't know what happiness is until you've experienced pain. These are a few things I tell myself just to keep my sanity. I've noticed the most popular question asked my people in college is; "How are you?". Now from my understanding, people really don't care how you are. It's just a transitional question unless something is seemingly really wrong with you. I've realized that every time I'm asked that question, I think about how I am really doing in life and that pisses me off. I try daily to get my mind off the bullshit I gotta deal with and I'm reminded every time someone asks; "How are you?" So now the question is; "How are you feeling?" It's more of a "now" question (if that makes sense).

 To me, thats asking how are things at that very moment in time where our paths cross. I could be in a wonderful mood despite all of my troubles or feeling trash. Either way my response will be, "I'm cool". So a tactic I used to ease the stress is smoking; which, unfortunately, is becoming a little excessive. I don't need a stress reliever, I need to eliminate the thing thats causes the stress all together. Unfortunately, life is not that ideal. My stresser is financial problems among my family and I. This one major issues has then caused other things to go wrong (i.e grades, motivation). How can I escape this vicious cycle of stress and problems. I am in dire need of a panacea for all of this. What/who has the ability to ease the stress and create Happiness? 

So to wrapp up my ramblings... I need help.

Be Easy,

T

P.S. This has got to be the most random post I've done...

I'm tight...

So I decided to change the layout of my Blog and in doing so I deleted my "enlightening lyrics" section. Out of everything on my blog, I loved that section the most. So I'm tight. Now I gotta go back and put every lyric back on. Dammit.

Be Easy, 

T

They Say Sorry Mr. West is Gone...

So I'm leaving... I'm taking time for my mind to heal. Unfortunately, I'll still be in Philly but just taking an introverted approach to everything. I'll be away until further notice. Thank you.

Memoirs of an Introverted Mind,

T

Mama's Boy

So Mother's Day is coming up and I'm getting a little down because I'm facing the fact that I might not see my mother this weekend. Unfortunately, money permits me from seeing the special lady in my life. Throughout my life, my mother has been there for me. She guided me through adolescence, motivated me through high school, and molded me to become the man I am today. Being 21, I am still asking her for guidance and inspiration to stay on the RIGHT path in life and to keep striving for success. She instilled a lot of wonderful characteristics in me that I couldn't have gotten from anywhere else. I owe everything to her so by continuing on this GREAT path is my way of showing her that its all because of her. It's because of her that I'm in college, almost a senior, and reaching for the stars. It's because of her that I have ambitions that stem way further than undergraduate studies. It's because of her that I have a enormous sense of appreciation for women. It's because of her that I'm here today: alive, healthy and headstrong .  So to wrapp up my rambling.... I'm a Mama's Boy!

Be Easy,

T

Let Shit Rock...That's Life

So I had an epiphany when I was in the shower just now. I realized I DON'T know what I want in a WOMAN! I mean all of the typical things...Yes (i.e wonderful personality, sexy in her own way, great conversationalist, spectacular dresser, etc) But what else is there? What exactly is compatible with me? I was just worked up over something I'm not even sure is for me anymore. This shit is complicated dammit. For some odd reason, I got the ideology that I'll be great with a lady that loves Music as much as I do, loves kicks as much as I do, enjoys just coolin, laid back like crazy, and is allergic to boring conversations. But then there's the idea that my lady should be different than me enough to broaden me up to new things. Look...Bottom line... I don't care any more. Let shit rock is what I say. 

Be Easy,

T

Iron Man

So I went to the movies last night and saw Iron Man which has been on the "Must See Movie" list for the longest time now. I thought the movie was gonna be pretty good but I was mistaken. The Movie was Poppin!!! It definitely outdid what ever preconceived notions I had about it and then some. Everything from the special effects to the comedy was on point. Two Thumbs Up!

Be Easy,

T

Get Up On It!!!

One of the BEST games ever created. If you haven't heard of it.... Shame on you. If you haven't played it.... Shame on you. If you have no ambitions to play it...... We aren't friends! (At least not for today)

Grand Theft Auto IV

Get Up On It,

T

Soon to Come...

So for a few weeks now, I've expressed that I was scared to start writing poetry. I have the constant urge to do so but I'm frightened that....honestly....it comes out wack. I hear a lot of great poems, especially while going to Philalive, and I can't help but think "Am I capable of producing something like that?". I constantly held myself back till a bout a week ago I decided to just do it. You gotta crawl before you walk, right? So I started writing but I felt it was too forced. It wasn't flowing like ALL of my other writings so I decided that when I'm ready to write my poem then it will come out wonderfully. SO TONIGHT IT HAPPENED!!!!! PhilaLive was filled with soo much talent tonight, about halfway through I got the intense inspiration/urge to write. Oh and did I write!! Its definitely not all done and I want to give yall a slight preview (on my cocky tip lol). So to wrapp up my ramblings.... Enjoy 

"I think of it as a blunt session where my thoughts is the weed, my words is the paper and my heart is the smoke that goes from my body to yours to give you that level of enlightenment that we all craved for. Poets are dealers. They slowly move in the shadows infecting their customers with their hot commodity... Knowledge. Their intentions aren’t to deceive or they would tell you their shit is bad. Their selling their product for satisfaction but not of the monetary but of the emotionally. They touched me in a place where only I have to key. They seeped through the cracks and infiltrated the confined and trapped mind that calls my head home. 

They penetrate the ignorance barrier without even breakin’ a sweat. Knowledge is power and there’s no MIB to erase the inspiration that slapped you in the mouth and awoken you like your mother before school starts. Minds are captured and hearts are ceased with every hit of the weed, but instead of making me high, it’s keeping me grounded. Instead of impairing my judgment, it’s freeing my mind. Instead of producing red eyes its prying open closed ones. Instead of ruining my body, its uplifting my soul."

Be Easy, 

T