Entertainment Weekly's ‘Top Ten Albums of The Decade':

1. The College Dropout, Kanye West (2004)

2. The Blueprint, Jay-Z (2001)

3. Kid A, Radiohead (2000)

4. Stankonia, OutKast (2000)

5. Love And Theft, Bob Dylan (2001)

6. Home, The Dixie Chicks (2002)

7. Funeral, The Arcade Fire (2004)

8. I Am… Sasha Fierce, Beyoncé (2008)

9. FutureSex/LoveSounds, Justin Timberlake, (2006)

10. You Are Free, Cat Power (2003)

Two things:
Maybe this will give us a couple minutes more of this lovely Kanye West silence.
I Am... Sasha Fierce was just a bunch of noise.
Yeah some of it was fun but... Top Ten of the decade?!
THE LAST 10 YEARS? ... OK.

=)

-franso

The Wackness

I think it was freshman year of high school when I first saw this girl who I won't name because I don't wanna freak her out & it's funnier this way because she's one of my two readers and will instantly know this post is about her.

It was the same shit every single day: Me sitting in History with Mr. Ashoff in my t-shirt & jeans and Natalia whooshing by in some dramatic top, loose pants- and heels. (Dare I say pumps?)
She really whooshed, I can still see it in my mind.
She was absurd, a 15 year-old hella decked out.
Who birthed this maniac?

Anyways, she came to her senses and eventually toned down her wardrobe.
Good, because that made her more approachable.
Not that I thought she was better than me- let's not get crazy, world!

We hung out and I was let in on a big secret- Homegirl was human.
She dreamed in spanish, ate cake for breakfast, and had never experienced the creamy squeeze-bottle cheese until me.
(You know, the one that goes perfect with Ritz. Just squeeze it on.)

High school graduation, people grow apart you know?
I occasionally stalk her at her job, side eye from co-workers and all- but it ain't the same.

I can never pinpoint her whereabouts... But I know that bitch better have my money.
Just kidding.

That bitch better have my Boondocks Season 1 DVD.

=)

-franso

Beyonce- Sweet Love

*sigh* MINUS THE OBNOXIOUS GROWLING... this is the first Beyonce thing, situation, performance, whatever, that I've liked in a long time.

Love Anita Baker.

=)

-franso

Alicia Keys Newbies

Doesn't Mean Anything (snippet):

Sleeping With A Broken Heart:


.... We all know I've loved Alicia Keys since the beginning. I remember the very first time I saw the "Fallin'" video and I happily went to her last 2 concerts.

Diary of Alicia Keys is my favorite, but As I Am most certainly kept me interested in what was to come.

BAM, fast forward to today and I'm ridiculously disappointed.

I just can't wrap my mind around "Doesn't Mean Anything" =/
From the first time I heard it, I was confused. She already did "No One" ... so exactly what was the point of this new track?
Then I hear this new one... and again! I'm not satisfied.
It's not only the music I don't like, but I'm afraid to say that I don't even like the vocals.
The vocals don't sit well with me.

*sigh* There's more.
I'm ashamed to say that all of this gossip surrounding this love triangle that is Alicia Keys- Swizz Beatz- Mashonda may have had an impact on my feelings... Pathetic lol I know.
It's just weird! I'm hearing her talking about how "it doesn't mean anythiiiiiiiiiiiiiing" and Swizzy! clouds my mind.
I don't wanna call A Keys a homewrecker... but come on, dude was truly still married.

This is EXACTLY why the media & paparazzi shouldn't pry into people's lives- it takes away!!!!

I can't believe this nonsense.

focus on the music, just focus on the music...

And with that said, I'll let "How Come You Don't Call Me" rock and hope that I like the rest of the new album, Element of Freedom.

=/

-franso

The Jacksons- Dreamer

if music is another form of communication- then let me say this:

*thanks YouTube.

"I guess I'll always be a dreamer...
Dreaming my life away, dreaming my life away..."

=)

-franso

Question...

Seriously, what constitutes as a date?

According to Webster's dictionary, it's "a social engagement between two persons that often has a romantic character."

what the fuck is a date & why does it feel like they no longer exist & why don't young people take the time out to go out on them & why does it always have to be "just hanging out"?

i'm done.

-franso

Upcoming Concerts II

Rakim
B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
11/19/09
9 PM


Raphael Saadiq.
Terminal 5
12/04/09
7 PM


Fabolous
The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza
12/12/09
8 PM


Robin Thicke
Nokia Theatre Times Square
12/14/09
7 PM


Hip-Hop Legends Concert Series: Method Man + EPMD + Doug E Fresh
B.B. King Blues Club and Grill
12/23/09
10 PM

etc, etc, etc,...

Enjoy!

=)

-franso

Santa, bring these back!

Am I buggin' when I say that every department store had its holiday decorations up the day after Halloween?
That Holiday commercials feel weird?
That every year Christmas gets pushed up and Thanksgiving gets downplayed by these scheming marketers?
It's feels too early for Christmas, let us enjoy Autumn dammit.

sheesh.

I was just watching The Addams Family movie (classic!) which begins with the family pouring a hot batch of God-knows-what onto a bunch of lovely Christmas carolers and I got to thinking about a couple of things the holidays are lacking.

So, Chris Cringle... if you're listening, here I go:

1) Christ Carolers, obviously.

Everyone is so hostile these days, and with emailing (TEXTING!) and whatever other technology people use, face to face contact is easily avoidable. I've never seen a bunch of Christmas carolers at my doorstep- Is that because I lived in the South Bronx for 10 years? lol probably... But now I live in Jersey and want to know what's up.
Carolers still exist in some places (Thank you, Google) but how lovely it would be if a bunch of carolers came to my house (at a decent time, thank you) solely to spread holiday joy.

2)Mistletoe

Where can I get some? I've never even seen one of these in person.
According to Wikipedia (*sigh*), the custom of kissing under the mistletoe is of Scandinavian descent.
How cute... I'm so gonna get some this holiday season.
Catch people off guard...
Any excuse to kiss a loved one, no?

3)Santa Claus

You laugh... but I'm serious.
When I was younger, on Christmas Eve... RIGHT before it struck midnight, all the kiddies were rushed into the bedroom, someone would ring a bell, my grandfather would "HO! HO! HO! MERRY CHRISTMAS!", I would almost pass out from the thought of Santa being a room away from me, and when we returned to the living room- there were all the gifts. I don't know what happened. It's not like there aren't any more babies in my family! But the gifts are just laid out from the start of the night, and that's that. I think children think it's corny to believe in Santa... When did this happen? =/

4) Homemade Christmas Gifts

Gift cards, money, game systems.
Those are cool, I'd gladly accept any of the 3... but where's the spirit?
Where are the "I took the time to MAKE this for you, I BOUGHT SUPPLIES and put this together" gifts?
We all know times are hard, why not use this as an excuse to make someone something?
Write someone a letter?
Bake someone yummy cupcakes?
Put together a scrapbook?
I know... I'm sounding like a cornball over here- but I'm dead serious.
This Christmas, yeah I'll buy gifts IF I CAN AFFORD IT, but I'm more concerned with buying paints and canvasses to make paintings for those I love.
Check here and here if I've inspired you to save up on money for a crafty holiday.
(I didn't thoroughly check the sites, but I'm sure they work if not for major gifts, then for stocking stuffers.)

5) GAP Holiday Ads



(OK Mary, yes!)

For the love of God, GAP.
For the love of God, GAP.
All I have to say is bless Youtube for still having these accessible.

...And that's all I've got for you.
Bring Christmas in every sense of its *true meaning back.

=)

-franso

Feeling Artsy

Hey hey hey...

As my journalism major gets more boring, depressing, and lame... I find my escape in the arts of course.

I've been painting, writing, daydreaming, the whole 9 haha

I did a self portrait the other day which was pretty dope and I'm in major need of more canvases and paints (more browns!).

Anyway, the next "artsy" things I'm looking forward to are making Christmas gifts with Michelle of course & the play, Nutcracker on the Lower.

Good friend of mine who put me on works at the Abrons Art Center, so I look forward to that.

It's 9th year of production, I hear it gets hella packed

I'm excited- check out the description, dates, & whatever else here.

=)

-franso

Wale Attention Deficit

Dude has arrived.

Just what we needed, a refreshing new sound from D.C's own.

Got the album the day before yesterday and I'm feeling almost every track (would you believe the weakest track is the one featuring Pharrell? "Let It Loose"?! I know... tragic.)

But besides that, he has guest appearances from Bun B, Gucci Mane, Weensy from Backyard Band, Chrisette Michele, J Cole, etc etc etc!

MY favorite tracks as of right now are Mama Told Me, Pretty Girls, & Shades... Dope.

And I'm also down with Wale bringing Go-Go to the mainstream, I thank him!

I wrote a review for my school paper but I'm sure it's against the rules to post it here ... Even though it's mine lol

Go cop Attention Deficit, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

=)

-franso

Pobrecito...

My poor little blog!

How I've abandoned thee.

I don't know, I'm just miserable with school and not much is inspiring enough to have me here writing.

But! I'm gonna try... honestly, I will!

=)

-franso

Marge Simpson for Playboy

... talk about it.

-franso

What I'm Boppin' To...

=)

-franso

Oh Fifty

*sigh* SO, so, so disrespectful.

Nevermind 50, what is this magazine thinking right now?

-franso

MTV 2009 VMAs

....

that's it.

=/

-franso

Won't Stop Til I Get Enough

OK, you probably think I'm obsessed.

that's why i'm truly blessed to have homegirl Ramona (show her love, ya'll- NOW!) in my life during this crazy time.

dude was so smooth.

=) =(

-franso

Fall '09 Semester

Day One: I am miserable.

-franso

Trey Songz' "Ready" Album Cover

....*crickets*




















..........*happy, aroused crickets*

-franso

Happy Birthday Michael

a couple of days late but the message is still true.

i wasn't even going to write about this because the whole situation was too overwhelming and I knew I wouldn't have the right words but... little brother and i went to nokia saturday night to celebrate all things jackson and... wow.

we had no clue that Q-Tip, Mar Ronson, & DJ Spinna would be scratching for 5 fucking hours.

(Guest appearaces included Grandmaster Flash, Angie Martinez, DJ Premier, & Andre Harrell...!)

in a nutshell... i think that birthday party extravaganza palooza celebration saved my life.

dramatic... definitely, but i can't find any other words.

see the thing is, i heard songs that night that i was convinced i'd never hear at a club, concert, whatever.

it's the falling in love? say, say, say? blame it on the boogie? baby be mine?

oh and q-tip? please, you already know.

i have yet to recover and i don't think i will.

again... dramatic, but it's MJ. dude means the world to me.

i danced like never before, poor little brother was so beat but he stuck it out until the very end.

lol @ q-tip's energy, his moves, his yelling at us to LOOK ALIVE!!!! his thanking those of us for staying until the end, his everything.

August 29th, 2009 is surely a night to remember.

i ain't think i was gon make it, but damn- i'm so glad i did.

ughhhhh, no words!

-franso

My Kiddies...

August 20, 2009- YMCA End of the Summer Show!
Ughhhh, look at them go.
I'm still so proud & happy that we chose this, my favorite, video by MJ.
Busting my ass to learn certain steps from the video PAID OFF.
=)
-franso

Really Kid Cudi?

if you don't find this funny- you're a lame.



this man is insane, i love every second.

he's not even kid cudi anymore, after like 3 seconds.

=)

-franso

PS- HE ASKED IF SHE USES PINK LOTION!!!!!!

Million Dollar Bill- Whitney Houston!

http://sinternet.com/blast/whitney/whitney.million.blast.html

Dammit Whitney.

GET IT!!!!

See what happens when you have the right people working with you?

I'm not a fan of this ... but A. Keys & Swizzy! (lol exactly) sure know what they're doing in (& out...) of the studio.

"I Turn To You" just makes me feel uncomfortable, why couldn't Whitney hit us with this smooth summer banger first?

Ugh, feels good Whitney.

I actually want to hear the rest of the album now.

GET IT!!!!

=)

morning's revelation: something like love.

i can't think of a name that's NOT corny for this, but uh...:

it’s not about professing my love or boosting your already high confidence.
it’s not to corner you with harsh ultimatums hoping you’ll give in.
or to prove that i’m the complete opposite of the previous females you’ve mistakenly let into your life.
gone are the days of animalistic pursuit as i learn to exhale, appreciate, and fully enjoy what we’ve shared so far.
the advice of others- whether right or wrong, understandable or irrational- come up short against all things you.
a kiss on the left shoulder, followed by that nickname whispered in my ear and i suppress a jump for joy.
it may not be love-but i know it’s something like it.


=)

-franso

Eminem's WARNING

Courtesy of YouTube

"Only reason I dissed you in the first place is because you denied seeing me,
Now Im pissed off.

Sit back homey relax, in fact grab a six pack, kick back while I kick facts,
Yeah Dre sick track, perfect way to get back
Wanna hear something wick wack?
I got the same exact tat thats on Nicks back
Im obsessed now,
Oh gee, is that supposed to be me in the video with the goatee?
Wow Mariah, didnt expect her to go balls out,
Bitch, shut the fuck up before I put all them phone calls out, you made to my house when you was wild n out before Nick,
When you was on my dick and give you somethin to smile about,
How many times you fly to my house? Still trying to count,
Better shut your lying mouth if you dont want Nick finding out,
You probably think cuz its been so long if i had something on you I woulda did it by now,
Oh on the contrary, Mary Poppins, Im mixing our studio session down and sending it to mastering to make it loud,
Enough dirt on you to murder you,
This is what the fuck I do,
Mariah, it ever occur to you that I still have pictures?
However you prefer to do and goes for Nick too, faggot
You think Im scared of you?
You gonna ruin my career you better get one,
Like Ima sit and fight with you over some slut bitch cunt that made me put up with her psycho ass over 6 months and only spread her legs to let me hit once,
Yeah, what you gonna say? Im lucky? Tell the public that I was so ugly that you fucking had to be drunk to fuck me?
Second base? What the fuck you tell Nick, pumpkin?
In the second week we was dry humping. Its gotta count for something,
Listen, girly. Surely you dont want me to talk about how I nutted early 'cos ejaculated prematurely and bust all over your belly, and you almost started hurling and said I was gross, go get a towel youre stomachs curling.
Or maybe you do.
But if Im embarrassing me, Im embarrassing you and dont you dare say it isnt true.
As long as the songs getting airplay Im dissing you.
Im a hair away from getting carried away and getting sued.
I was gonna stop at 16. That was 32. This is 34 bars. We aint even third of the way through.
Damn, Slim. Mariah played you. Mariah who?
Oh did I say whore, Nick? I meant a liar too.
Like Ive been goin off on you all this time for no reason,
Girl you out ya alcholic mind. Check ya wine cellar. Look at all the amounts of all the wine,
Like I fuckin sit around and think about you all the time,
I just think this shit is funny when I pounce you on a rhyme.
But fuck it now im about to draw the line.
And for you to cross it thats a mountain that I doubt you wanna climb.
I can describe areas of your house you wouldnt find on an episode of Cribs,
A blow below the ribs if I hear another word so dont go opening your jibs cos every time you do its just another load of fibs,
I aint saying this shit again, ho, you know what it is.
Its a warning shot for I blow up ya whole spot,
Call my bluff and Ill release every fucking thing I got,
Including the voicemails right before you flipped your top,
When me and Luis were tryin to stick two CDs in the same spot..."

Dear world, this shit just got crazy.

-franso

AKA Ridiculousness

People, people, people.... spending thousands of dollars for a wax statue of yourself is not OK.

ESPECIALLY IF YOUR THE PRESIDENT OF AN ORGANIZATION!!

AKA President Brenda Mckinzie allegedly spent $900,000 of her sorority's dough.

Lady... huh?

Read the article here.

If an AKA stumbles upon my blog, don't get offended because whether or not she spent the sorority money or her own... that is still a lame move!

=)

-franso
PS- ummmmm I don't know much about Greek life, but it's pretty fucking dope that Maya Angelou, Jada Pinkett, and among others, ROSA PARKS, all pledged to this one sorority.

P.Y.T. Demo

Courtesy of YouTube

I like this version better than the official track- heard it in American Apparel (go figure) a couple months back & fell in love.

A little over a month in, & I'm still crying over MJ.

It's gotten out of hand, I know, but what can i say? I'm sensitive.

*sigh*

-franso

Paul Rodriguez

This shit is official.

Done.

-franso

Summerstage 09

*sigh*

Everyone else was cool, but we all know i was there for who? For Q-Tip.

Initially, I didn't want to go because I knew it'd be a long & hot experience & because I'd already seen him 3 times.

All of this went out the window when dude came out to start off with "Shaka"... too energetic, gets me every time.

Highlights:
MOVE!
SUCKA NIGGA!
ELECTRIC RELAXATION!
His "funky di funk" section after where he told us to close our eyes, put our blackberries down, not send out a text, & vibe with him... right before DJ Scratch threw the towel over his shoulders reminiscent of James Brown!
Bandmember whipping out the fucking saxophone for CHECK THE RHYME!

I mean, I'm happy I went for the 4th time to see one of the most fun performers I've ever witnessed.

Goooooo [Free!] Summerstage!

=)

-franso

Michael Jackson- JAM (Live)

*sigh* dude truly stood still for 2 whole minutes before ripping into an intense performance.
i would've passed out & woke up upset at the hospital about only surviving 30 seconds of the concert.
such power.

the plan was to watch MJ & feel good... instead, i watched live performances of "human nature".
fucking great.
this still can't be real, nothing feels better about this situation.

-franso

damn

temptation,
don't tempt me.
i have a different agenda-
even though it's tempting.

-franso

R.I.P Michael Jackson

"Childhood"
Have you seen my Childhood?
I'm searching for the world that I come from
'Cause I've been looking around
In the lost and found of my heart...
No one understands me
They view it as such strange eccentricities...
'Cause I keep kidding around
Like a child, but pardon me...

People say I'm not okay
'Cause I love such elementary things...
It's been my fate to compensate,
for the Childhood
I've never known...

Have you seen my Childhood?
I'm searching for that wonder in my youth
Like pirates in adventurous dreams,
Of conquest and kings on the throne...

Before you judge me, try hard to love me,
Look within your heart then ask,
Have you seen my Childhood?

[...]

----------

I haven't spoken on Michael's death because I have yet to find the proper words.
I don't know what to do with myself.
I'll never be the same.
-franso

THIS IS NOT OK.

Never you mind that I still read these after all these years.

This whole ordeal is hella wrong on SO many levels.

Archie.. Sad to say, is like every other brainless phenomenon of the male species.

I never thought I'd see the day that he'd pick lust over love!

TEAM BETTY all the way people!

A blonde who was LOYAL, booksmart, funny, knew how to cook/sew, loved art, gave back to the community- I always, always, always rooted for her.

For him to propose to Veronica, money-hungry & materialistic Veronica!!

IT BREAKS MY HEART PEOPLE!

In my real life, fine. Let men be retarded, that's the way the world works.

But Archie? My perfect world Archie?

See, this is EXACTLY why I fucks with Jughead. He cares about what really matters- food, haha.
(& not to mention I picture Ryan Gosling playing him in the real life Archie movie I pray never ever happens... ugh)

In a nutshell, there's no hope for romantic justice when Archie picks Veronica over Betty.

Who knows if they're gonna get married- probably not, it would kill the whole thing- but still.

I'll keep you posted, I know you're just as distraught ;)

-franso

PS- THIS IS NOT OK!!!... Goodnight.

Chris Brown--> Probation

Yeah kiddo, prayer makes the most sense.

Apparently, Chris Brown got 5 years of probation, he & Rihanna have to stay 50 yards away from each other at all time, & 10 yards when they're at industry events.

This is still a pretty tricky situation that a lot of people have sounded off on without knowing exactly what happened.

My first reaction was, "5 years probation? That's it?" But who know what really happened in that car.

(As I type this, I can't help but hear a little voice saying, "If she was attacking him, all he had to to was pull over & pin her down.")

If it was up to me & the situation was as bad as it looked, I would truly have dude working at a shelter for battered women- see what it's REALLY like. I'd order him to keep a journal as well. Deadass.

*sigh* Still, I wish them both luck.
- & if you ask me, they're still together. Check Rihanna out, saying it was unnecessary to demand that they stay away from each other.

What it is to be in love, right?

-franso

PS- Saw Method Man at Dave N Buster's today. *dreamy sigh*

Hola B Marie

... dare we take it there for real for real?

LOL

=)

-franso