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
Monday, December 7, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
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
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
Saturday, November 21, 2009
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
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
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
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
*thanks YouTube.
"I guess I'll always be a dreamer...
Dreaming my life away, dreaming my life away..."
=)
-franso
Monday, November 16, 2009
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
Sunday, November 15, 2009
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
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
Saturday, November 14, 2009
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
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
Friday, November 13, 2009
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
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
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Oh Fifty
*sigh* SO, so, so disrespectful.
Nevermind 50, what is this magazine thinking right now?
-franso
Monday, September 14, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
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
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
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
Saturday, August 22, 2009
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
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