Kings of Leon- Use Somebody

Not sure if you all caught the MTV Movie Awards but Kings of Leon performed their latest single "Use Somebody" & I'm just entranced...!

Check out the video here =)

Here are the lyrics too, which are cool:
I've been roaming around always lookin down at all I see.
Painted faces fill the places I can't reach.
You know that I could use somebody
You know that I could use somebody
Someone like you
And all you know and how you speak
Countless lovers undercover of the street
You know that I could use somebody
You know that I could use somebody
Someone like you
Off in the night while you live it up I'm off to sleep
Waging wars to shake the poet and the beat
I hope it's gonna make you notice
I hope it's gonna make you notice
Someone like me
Someone like me
Someone like me
Somebody
(Go and let it out)
Someone like you
Somebody
Someone like you
Somebody
Someone like you
Somebody
I've been roaming around always lookin down at all I see

Um... I feel like I need to do a close reading of these lyrics lol
A lot of the lyrics catch my attention but I'm not exactly sure why, crazy.

=)

-franso

PS- & can we discuss dude's voice? love.

Jamie Foxx & Halle Berry... Nice.

I understand the art of acting, I do.
The ability to channel & become a completely different person than yourself is something else.
You know what else is amazing about acting? Separating your real love/family life from your staged love scenes.

THIS though? This is something ELSE.



Apparently the Spike TV Guys' Choice Awards are no joke.

We've seen how YOU do, Halle... But REALLY Jamie?

Oh.... Oh OK! :-P

=)

-franso

Who else's love life is being put on hold out there?

Art History

So! On a less bitchy note, I'm taking Art History this summer and even though I know it's gonna be a ridiculous amount of work, I'm super excited to know so much about art. I learned about technique and color in Painting and Drawing, but this is definitely going to be the icing on the cake, for sure.

Today was all about Egypt and I'm seriously in love. I've always thought the art was astonishing and the people sexy (front like you don't agree, with the golden skin and thick eyeliner) but learning about the history and the in depth analysis Prof was giving us, I'm so feeling it. We had Egypt week with the kids last summer, so I was even more attentive since I knew a little bit.

We've all seen & heard of her, but look at Nefertiti up above. I need to get like HER. (Halloween maybe?)



And the temple of Ramses II, maldita sea- how? HOW could the architecture of today seem so amazing when such monstrosities as this temple were created thousands of years ago? These ordinary people in the deadly heat creating these works of art that took God knows how long.

*dreamy sigh* It's going to be a crazy class!

And, because I'm still a kid.... I was dozing off in class thinking of my FAVORITE episode of Sesame Street as a kid, when Bert & Ernie went inside a pyramid. Maybe it wasn't my favorite, but it was just so amazing to me and definitely the one that always sticks out in my mind now.
WOULD YOU BELIEVE I FOUND IT ON YOUTUBE!?!?!?!
Dios mio, here:

The way the fucking statues looked like them and kept bothering Ernie, got me everytime.
So happy I found this.

=)

-franso

PS- hey hot stuff... let's go to Egypt.

Listening & Hearing are 2 Different Things

"I know you hear me, but are you listening to me?"

According to dictionary.com, hear- to perceive by the ear while listen- to give attention with the ear.

TO GIVE ATTENTION.

People need to learn to listen.

I know what it's like, I find myself doing it sometimes, where we ask a question just so that the person's answer can fill up the quiet. It's like we panic when nobody is saying anything, not realizing that silence is juuuuuuust fine.

I'm sick and tired of people (just one) calling me and not LISTENING when I speak, when I answer a question, when an interesting thought comes to mind. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the fact that such busy people (just one) can find the time to reach out to me every once and a while... but what kind of conversation is this if you're the only one talking?

[VENTING DOESN'T COUNT. We all deserve time to let it all out, definitely.]

But what's it mean when I have to keep repeating myself? Or when I'm asked a question, my answer isn't paid attention to and the other person just turns the conversation into something about them?

OK, maybe I'm getting ahead of myself and it's just a phone thing.

Blah, I don't know. I just can't stand that there's such a huge (ignored) difference between HEARING & LISTENING.

People, you'll be appreciated so much more if you just listen- even to the silence.

I know this is pretty random, but it's just annoying. It's not all about you, it's about us.

=)

-franso

Beyonce's EGO Cont'd

*Courtesy of YouTube

... I just feel like she does shit to annoy me.

Just ME.

-franso

PS- it's too BEEG, it's too WAAAD, it's too STRAWNG, it won't FIEET...

-franso

Twenty-One

MAY 20TH, a little after 1 AM.

I feel like I made it.

I remember being a kid wondering what I would look like, how I would dress, what I would be doing, my personality at this age.. and here I am.

Twenty-One.

Well, I look the exact same way- except for my nose ring and glasses.
I dress a little funkier, am still a nerd and I can't help but think of that Floetry line:
" I love the girl I used to be, every step she took was reaching out to me."
So true, people change but I'm certainly a developed version of little Frances.
Sounds simple, maybe it is, but it's how I see myself.

It feels weird, is this part 2 of my life?

If my life were a chapter book, would today be a completely different section, with a new subtitle? The whole works?

I'm looking forward to what this age and year has to offer.

It's not just about being able to hit up every club and lounge out there.
Shit, I still can't believe they're all accessible now- and yes, I will use that toward my advantage...
But it's more than that! I'm 21! I survived 20...

And let's face it people- I'm on my way to 30. (A joke between Shai and I... but let's be serious here.)

21? Soon I'll be 25! 25? Soon I'll have kids. Kids? WHO'S THEIR FATHER?

...I got ahead of myself.

Twenty-One.

I made it ya'll.

Happy Birthday to me...

^ First picture at 21 years old- yeah I still look 12.

=)

-franso

Beyonce's EGO

The hook to Beyonce's EGO track, that I'm sure you've been heard by now- unlike me, who avoids Beyonce at all costs...:

It's too big, it's too wide
It's too strong, it won't fit
It's too much, it's too tough
He talk like this 'cause he can back it up
He got a big ego, such a huge ego
I love his big ego, it's too much
He walk like this 'cause he can back it up

*Continuously repeating the hook in my head*

.... Raise your hand if you think she's NOT singing about Jay-Z's... manhood.

-franso

PS- IT'S TOO WIDE?!

And Another One... New Mos Def

CASA BEY

*Courtesy of WorldStarHipHop

*sigh* We have another one folks.

I can't understand half of the shit he's saying, but it's gets sooooo good at the end!

"BRIGHT LIGHT FROM A DISTANT STAR....!"

=)

-franso

PS- June 9th ya'll, it's over!

Joe Budden's Thoughts

*Courtesy of YouTube

... Dude is so real.

I feel him though.

=)

-franso

Next Day Air...

I really enjoyed this movie, great cast & humor.
Donald Fiason, Mike Epps, Wood Harris... and MOS DEF?!
Sounds great to me.... MINUS THE FACT THAT MOS ONLY HAD TWO 10 MINUTE SCENES.
Grimey... Don't gas me, have me thinking he's a main character... When he totally isn't.

Anyways, I laughed the whole time and plan on seeing it again.

Eddie from Family Matters (how immature of me to not take the time out to find his REAL name) surprised us all as a true G.
SINE WHEN?! Ok, I see you...

And Fiason was just the best, always had love for dude! Since Clueless, for sure.

Mike Epps? He don't have to say shit. I just see him and I laugh, he's the best... I'd much rather skip the topic of him all of a sudden being handsome and attractive to me. Gosh.

AND OMG DEBBIE ALLEN AS FAISON'S MOOOOOOM! WHO DOESN'T LOVE HER?! *dreamy sigh*

What NEEDS to be discussed is THIS brother right HERE:

OMARI HARDWICK
... So what if he reminds us a little of Flo Rida right here- so not the case in the movie.

Whose kid is this?! (LOL @ Eddie in the back)

...But enough about THAT. I'd recommend this movie to anyone I know and I won't mind checking it out again so my mom could enjoy it.

MY ONLY PROBLEM THOUGH-------> SPOILER ALERT.

That Latina chick was kind of annoying. How simplistic of Benny Boom to include the whole... Nuyorican- Rosie Perez- I Speak Spanglish- chick... you know? There was a part where she was praying for her man and she really brought out the coconuts, cigar, water to soak his picture in... ALL THE WHILE HECTOR LAVOE'S AGUANILE PLAYED IN THE BACKGROUND. Oh but wait.... Not Hector Lavoe's version. Why the new Marc Anthony rendition of course :-D <----- fake smile. Did we have to show the spiritual side? IT JUST FELT CORNY TO ME! But I guess he captured what he knows.

Sidenote, kudos to Benny Boom on his first movie! I don't know where he's going to go from here but the fact that he could make this transition? That's something to take notice of.

Check out the movie.

=)

-franso

PS- "I hate you. I'm a hater of you." -Mos Def's character lol

to do is fall in love. Let's bang out these finals!!!! PS- the thought of NOT seeing En Vogue this Sunday is irking me. Oh hell.

Testing 1, 2. Blog entries from the BlackBerry? I can dig it. School's almost out. Summer plans are overwhelming my brain. And the last thing I'm trying

Upcoming *Summer* Concerts 2009

MAY 2009

ADELE
May 5
Roseland Ballroom
(Sorry Ramona...lol)


En Vogue
May 10
B.B. King Blues Club


The Roots Presents The Jam
May 13
Highline Ballroom


Gilbertito Santa Rosa y Victor Manuelle
May 16th
MSG


Keyshia Cole
May 24
WaMu Theater @ MSG


Cita Rodriguez (MY MOM!!!!!)
May 30
La Fonda Boricua Lounge
Make your reservations here


BlackStar
May 30
Nokia Theater NYC

JUNE 2009

Earth, Wind, & Fire
June 17
MSG


Beyonce
June 21-22
MSG

JULY 2009

Q-Tip, Chester French, Little Dragon, Benji B
July 18
Central Park SummerStage


JULY 2009
Rock the Bells
July 19
Jones Beach Theater


Ginuwine, Joe, Chico DeBarge
July 26
Central Park SummerStage

AUGUST 2009

Incubus
August 4-5
Radio City Music Hall


Chrisette Michelle, Jasmine Sullivan, Jon B
August 9
Central Park SummerStage


John Legend
August 13
MSG


Taylor Swift
August 27
MSG

Where will YOU be?

=)

-franso

The Recession's Effect on Urban Journalism- AND Why It Matters.

He who hasn’t felt the greedy hands of America’s latest recession tugging at his pant pocket must certainly live under a rock. As the nation struggles to move forward and President Obama strains to bring the nation back to its comfort zone, no one person has been left unharmed by this economic shock. Millions have lost their jobs, homes, and bank savings. Businesses that may have appeared stable no longer exist and schools are experiencing severe budget cuts. As headlines burst with possible solutions and frantic concerns, another great American institution silently struggles to remain significant. Urban journalism.
Feet up on his desk, as he leans back in his chair, Datwon Thomas is starting to get annoyed. In his relaxed and familiar office, the Editor-in-Chief of XXL Magazine doesn’t understand why it has become such a challenge to book this artist, whose people he is on the phone with, for an upcoming cover. Working with the magazine since the late ‘90s, Thomas is fully aware of the importance of booking the right cover to please his readers, mostly African American men. Any other time, Thomas’ composed turned confrontational tone may have been looked down upon, but not today. This avid aggression is admirable, and almost symbolic, as he fights for the betterment of his magazine, something many other Editors-in-Chief are quickly losing the opportunity to do.
While magazines of all genres are feeling the effects of the recession, Thomas can’t help but to feel a twinge regarding the loss of many of his fellow urban publications.
“I feel like we finally got to this beautiful place where there were a bunch of options for you to choose from on the urban side because mainstream never really spoke about the urban struggle or the urban existence and how they were winning,” says Thomas. “We had to document that ourselves and get them aboard. […] It’s just sad to see what’s happening.”
One of the first major indications of what would quickly become the fight to keep these Hip Hop, lifestyle, and fashion magazines alive was the folding of Blender Magazine last month. According to the Magazine Publishers of America, ad revenue sank 31% last year and another 57% from January to March of this year. There was also an 8% decrease in paid subscriptions and 18% decrease in newsstand sales. Created in 2001, Blender, which had a successful run, folded with 768,000 subscribers.
Vibe Magazine’s ad revenue from January through March of 2008 and 2009 has gone from $18,099,518 to $10,762,770, with Ebony Magazine close behind jumping from $13,645,649 to $9,484,428, and Essence Magazine going from $25,136,566 to $23,407,814.
No stranger to loss in ad revenue, Thomas saw one of his creations, King Magazine fold last month. Thomas, who was aware of the negative connotations of urban magazines, was careful in 2001 to create a magazine for his readers, not one that would stigmatize them.
“It resonated with the people, it spoke to a certain audience that embraced and looked at it as the leader in its field,” he explains, “Regardless of if people only want to look at it as the “girl book”. It definitely had more to it than that if you took the time to check it out. I think it was successful for so many years without a whole lot of support, promotion-wise, because it was for the people that wanted it.”
Artists and every day listeners alike feel the same about magazines specific to their interests, interests not always paid attention to, no longer existing.
“Urban magazines are important because they are a source of entertainment and a sense of pride,” says Christopher Ramoo, a Hip Hop fanatic. “You can idolize someone that looks like you- instead of the normal “All-American”.
With Blender gone and King on its final issue, the uneasiness of remaining economically stable develops into that of being musically and culturally secure as well.
Audio engineer Dalila Navarro understands the importance of these magazines to the preservation of Hip Hop on an international level explaining that, “While our music has infiltrated mainstream America and other markets globally, it is not fully accepted. Without urban magazines to support Hip Hop, we’d lose an incredibly important tool.”
Twitter user ShawndavidATL sees a racial dilemma expressing that, “If they fold, we will no longer have representation for all people of color.
On the opposite side of the spectrum are those who seem relieved at the thought of there being little to no urban magazines, writing them off as negligible in today’s society.
“Majority of the urban magazines inform you of nothing but the hottest music in their opinion and booty shakers. So to be quite honest, it never mattered that they existed and it matters even less that they are folding,” explains Bronx Community College student Charlyn Willis.
Similar to the music and lifestyle this branch of media supports, publications like Vibe or Giant Magazine are constantly discredited for their impact on the population. Amidst the accomplishments in urban culture that these magazines have passionately covered lies a disappointment in many who can’t help but see it all as a form of exploitation.
“They set a bad example for the youth and Black men,” says Jon Alonzia, an aspiring actor from Brooklyn, N.Y. “Not everything is bad in these magazines, but it doesn’t show a lot of the more important things in life. They mostly focus on the little things that cost big money.”
Still, Thomas doesn’t cite the decline in urban magazine sales to disapproval or recent lack of interest. “I just can’t see black people not wanting to be interested in their culture. It’s in their scope of the urban world. The numbers were still high,” he says, referring to King. Understanding that some magazines have opted to keep up with the times by downsizing on printed issues and focusing on their websites, Thomas disregards this as being crucial to the decrease in sales. Opting to take the authentic route, Thomas says, “We do have the Internet and everyone can go on there, but for some reason, I guess because of time, we’ve all become accustomed to reading things that are tangible, that you can hold and that record history.”
Rapper Shawn Chrystopher from Inglewood, California agrees, “The people who write are actual journalists who are held responsible to what they print, so it’s a lot more credible. Anyone can start a blog and can post whatever they want and really have no one to answer to. Plus it’s great to have something tangible.”
While ad revenue percentages for both King and XXL are currently unavailable, King’s last audit shows circulation figures of 175,000 copies for a publication that once reached 275,000 copies. XXL usually tops over 300,000 copies, but the last audit shows them at 205,000.
The numbers may have decreased, but it is obvious that the interest and importance of urban reporting is alive. It has taken a while for urban publications to reach this point, and that they’re all at risk of folding is something to keep track of.
In his office, Thomas, openly analytical about this insecure period, manages to remain levelheaded. “You kinda have to feel it out. No one’s ever been in this situation before.”
Clearly affected by the demise of King Magazine and the new strain on all publications, Thomas, sitting in front of a lengthy row of previous XXL and King issues, stays confident when thinking of the future. “Do I think XXL will go away any time soon? I wouldn’t bet on it. I think the brand is still very relevant and important, and it still does well for the company.”

Finished my Urban Journalism final =)

-franso