#musicmonday

Far too many times people use the word GREAT in the wrong context.

That won't be the case today.

To say J Dilla was GREAT... doesn't fully describe the man. J Dilla was ahead of his time. In my opinion, J Dilla was the BEST hip hop producer of his time. Period! Although his life was cut short 4 yrs ago due to lupus, his legacy still lives on. When you read the list of artists who he worked with, you ask yourself..."who HASN'T he worked with?" From his ground breaking beats with his group, Slum Village...to his work with Janet Jackson, D'Angelo, Common, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, and Busta Rhymes. Not only was he a talented producer but he was a good MC, too!

This post is dedicated to the illest...J Dilla (RIP)


J Dilla - E = MC^2 Ft. Common




J Dilla - Won't Do




Slum Village - Climax



J Dilla - Random beats

the dash

There's an old saying in life.

"There are two dates that matter. The date of birth and the date of death."

I think this is true. We have no control over these dates. We didn't know when we'd be born. And we don't know when we will die. Death is a certainty of life. I've always joked that I will live until I am 135. I believe that. Nevertheless, I do believe that we all serve our purpose on this earth. I think we're here until God feels like we should no longer be here. It doesn't matter if you're here for 9 days or 99 yrs.

If you see someones timeline, it looks like this 1950 - 1999.

The number's are there and we can't control them. The thing that we can influence is the DASH.

The DASH represents what you have done on this earth. The dash represents your infinite possibilities on the is earth.

Remember that you control your dash.

12 Radio

Tune in tonight to 12 Radio. Topic...politic, ditto...an indepth look into the Obama Admininstration. Make sure that you check it out.

The show starts at 9pm EST

(347) 215-7162

show link...http://bit.ly/92zHsv

silence is golden...

Sometimes we have to take a look in the mirror and ask ourselves...

Am I selling myself short?

Am I just selling myself?

I've always been a firm believer that you have to keep SOME of your personal business to yourself. Case in point...last week's episode of HBO's Hard Knock series that chronicles a behind the scenes look that the New York Jets. There was a segment that featured the Jets new cornerback, Antonio Cromartie. He just joined the team a few months ago after spending his first few years in the NFL with the team that drafted him, San Diego Chargers. Despite being only 26 yrs old, Cromartie has fathered 8 children from 7 different women.

During last week's episode, Cromartie made an attempt to name all of his kids by name and age. (SEE VIDEO BELOW). And he stumbled. I felt uncomfortable watching it. I wasn't sure what was worse...1) he had somewhat of a difficult time naming all of his kids 2) having fathered 8 kids at 26






As a former athlete (and that's what I call myself), I think that Cromartie fits the stereotype that most of us try to shed. Nobody wants to be viewed as a dumb jock. I'm not a jock and I'm far from dumb. I remember when I was in college at South Carolina State University, people would be surprised when they heard me speak or do a presentation. One chick said..."You're a smart football player." Huh? Are we all supposed to be dumb? That's not me. The School of Business was the hardest curriculum on campus. I guess she didn't expect a football player to walk away with a marketing degree. LOL

Cromartie also fits the stereotype of a young black man. Promiscuous lifestyle with kids out of wedlock. It was rumored that the Jets gave him a 500k advance to "assist" him with some past due child support.

He's a great athlete and I think he's gonna help the Jets win this year. However, maybe he should stick with the old saying...."Somethings are better left unsaid."

#musicmonday

I'ma fan. Always have been

After working in Minneapolis for the past 10 months, I've grown to appreciate his music even more. He is a hometown hero there. They still play his music. One night, I got word that he was supposed to be playing at some club downtown. I went there looking for him but he never showed

Today's post is about the Purple One.

Prince

Let's Go Crazy





Darlin Nikki





The Beautiful Ones





Purple Rain



You got any favorite songs by Prince?

10 signs/12 Radio

Some women say that men aren't good at expressing themselves...

Some women say that if you watch a man closely, he'll tell you EVERYTHING that you need to know!

I think there's truth to both statements. Nevertheless, I came across this article and I decided to share it with you. Hopefully, it'll shed some light to the ladies who try to "figure us out." LOL


10 Signs that you can tell a man is serious about you...


1. He doesn’t play mind games with you

If he says he will drop in to see you, he does. When he makes plans with you for the weekend, he sticks to them. He doesn’t torment you by saying one thing and doing something else. He’s not cold one instant and warm and affectionate the other. If his ex-girlfriend calls him, he tells you about it for the sake of honesty and not in a way that makes you uncomfortable. When a man plays mind games, it’s typically because he doesn’t really care, or because the relationship is casual for him. If your man makes a special effort to be honest and open, that’s a sign of his commitment to the relationship.

2. He wants to know things about you

And it’s not just the regular stuff like “What are your hopes and dreams?” or, “What inspires you to paint?” or “What’s your favourite rock band?” He asks you questions about your childhood, your job, parents, etc. He wants to know what it was like to be the elder sister or, he always asks you how you cope with your long stressful work hours. He is genuinely concerned about your career and asks you about your plans. Even the best actor cannot feign an interest in mundane details such as, “What time did you wake up today?”. or “Did you get enough sleep last night?” If he’s serious about you, he will find all the mundane details interesting.

3. He calls you multiple times everyday

He calls you sometimes for no reason. Even if you’ve met at a coffee shop an hour ago, he calls you after he reaches home, or from the elevator. This behaviour is typically displayed in the first few weeks of the relationship, when everything is new and exciting. However, when you realize that he still calls you just to hear your voice and it’s been about a year since you started going out, you should know that he’s serious about you.

4. If he’s always punctual...

If he’s always punctual, he’s definitely into you. When a man is serious about his girlfriend, he will ensure that she doesn’t have to wait for an hour at the bus stop. He says he will pick you up for dinner and 8 p.m. and calls around 7.55 p.m. to tell you he’s stuck in traffic and will be 15 minutes late, he’s respectful of your feelings. He won’t ever have you hanging around the park for half an hour before he shows up. Most girls constantly find themselves waiting for their boyfriend’s phone call, or for him to pick them up. If you don’t find yourself in that position, you’ve got yourself a winner.

5. When he listens to you talk

Several girls complain that they can’t talk to their boyfriends and that they just don’t listen. When you spend time with him, he really listens to you. He’s all ears about your problems at work. On the train, he’s not distracted by fellow passengers, but is listening to you intently. You have long chats on the phone where he hangs on to every word you say. You find yourself telling him things that you’ve never told any boyfriend before. He’s not constantly checking his cell phone for messages, when you talk about the day. If your man remembers that it’s your aunt’s birthday in a couple of weeks, just because you mentioned it in passing, understand that he’s listening to every word you’re saying.

6. When he wants to date you exclusively

You’re his steady girlfriend and he makes sure everyone knows it. He is faithful and expects fidelity from you too. He has had the conversation about being exclusive with you. He makes sure everyone knows that he’s your boyfriend, not only because he doesn’t want random men hitting on you, but because he wants to send a clear signal to all the girls that he’s taken. This is a big step and you should appreciate him for this.

7. He’s transparent about his routine

You know his routine and what his day holds for him, not because you’re a tyrant but because he volunteers this information. You know he’s in the gym in the morning and reaches work at 10 a.m., after making a quick dash to a coffee shop. You know that if he doesn’t take your call in the afternoon, he’s probably in a meeting or in the loo. If he’s missing for a couple of hours, there’s always an explanation that’s credible. You have never wondered, “What could he possibly be doing now?” or “Why hasn’t he called me?”.

8. He introduces you to his friends

He is keen that you meet his friends and not only because he wants to show off what a knockout you are, but because he’s so in love with you. He wants his friends to know you and like you. He wants you to get comfortable with them, because this paves the way for your initiation in the group. He makes an effort to be nice to your friends for the same reasons. He wants you to meet his family. This move is not to be underestimated at all. If there’s one thing common in men across continents, it’s the fact that they only take the girl home, if they’re taking the relationship to the next level.

9. He asks for your opinion and respects it

He wants you to accompany him while he shops for clothes, because he trusts your choice. When he’s confused about his career, he talks to you and listens patiently to what you have to say. He discusses things with you to seek your opinion.

10. He’s always there when you need him

He may be foul tempered and may say hurtful things from time to time, but he's always there when you need him. When your uncle passed away, he was there to hold your hand. When you lost a job, he took you out for ice cream and reassured you. He may have his faults, but if he really cares for you, he will always try to protect you. If a bitchy girlfriend keeps picking on you, he calls her bluff and shuts her up. If he genuinely worries about you because you have cramps during that time of the month, he’s definitely serious about you.



I hope this helps you ladies... ;)

Tune in to tonight's show on 12 Radio. Topic...Dating 102 - dealing with members of the opposite sex. Co-hosted by MzInspiredmind

(347) 215-7162

9pm est/ 8pm central / 7pm mountain / 6pm pacific

Show link...http://bit.ly/abJM1Q

sometimes/12 Radio

Sometimes...
I wish I could be her man.
I could give her the world if I had the chance.
I could make her happy and I do know this
If she only knew that I even exist
She's in love with him and she doesn't see
She could get everything if she were with me
Instead she settles for his lies and abuse.
I would only give her my love and shower her with the truth

Sometimes...
I wish she'd open her eyes and understand.
I would be honored to be called her man.
For her, she'd get the utmost respect.
Endless compliments and soft kisses on her neck.
She'd rather be in his big house and driving his Benz
He could never be a real lover...never be a real friend.
Covered with bruises to her arms and her eye
She could not turn to him because he made her cry.
Sometimes I wish I never heard a woman say "These black men ain't shit."
I stand before you. Hand extended to you. And I know I'm legit.

Sometimes...

Tune into tonight's show on 12 Radio. TOPIC- E-CON-NO=ME...the rise fall and rise of the mortage industry. Understanding credit and how we move forward financially. Call in (347)215-7162

Show stars at 9pm EST

http://bit.ly/ar9y08

in my lifetime

Time flies

It really does...

And just like that...it's over!

As many of you know, I have been working in Minneapolis, Minnesota since last October but still living in Atlanta. Last week, I resigned from my job in Minneapolis to take a job in Atlanta. For the past 10 months, I'd work during the week in 'Sota and fly home on the weekends. Sometimes I'd stay for a 3-4 days and some weekends I'd stay in Minnepolis and work. Nevertheless, I was away from home. It was an adjustment to say the least. Being away from the family was tough but we all adjusted. The wife...gotta thank her for holding it down at taking care of our 3 little men. If the roles were reveresed, I dunno if I could've balanced work, baseball practice (Deion), potty training (Brandon), and running the house. She did a great job!

Believe it or not, it's gonna be hard to leave. The job was a great job. Aside from paying for the expenses and perks, I worked with/for some great people whom I'll never forget. It's rare that you find a "family like" atmosphere at a company...especially within the mortgage industry. But they are some cool people.


1. Weather or not

The winter time is BRUTAL. I've never been THAT cold in my life. It snowed on December 1st and I didn't see the green grass until March 5th. It would snow at LEAST 3 times a week. Despite the snow, the roads are almost always clear. They know how to handle it. After the 6th snow fall, I was tired of seeing the white stuff. The snow isn't the problem...it's the cold. I remember stepping out of my hotel one morning and it was so cold that it hurt to breathe! It was so cold that I tried the spit test (when you spit in the air and it freezes before it hits the ground) and it worked! Despite the days when the wind chill was -20 below...I got used to it. By January, I could step outside and guess the temp without looking at a report. People there don't spend a lotta time outside during the winter. But this is the time of the year is why people live here. Temps in the low 80s with very low humidity. I loved it! I spent plenty of time around Lake Calhoun and Lake Minnetonka (no...I didn't purify myself in it)

2. MOA

I'm not a fan of malls. I hate malls. I can't spend more than an hour in a mall. However, I grew very fond of the MOA (Mall of America). To say this place is HUGE is an understatement. You could literally spend a day in this place. Every store that you can dream of is in here!! And there's an amusement park that puts Six Flags to shame

3. Take care of the Fetus

Electric Fetus is a huge record stord. Yes...I said record store. It's a very eclectic spot that I loved to visit on a weekly basis. The music that you'd find in there fit my eclectic music tastes. It is a place were you could literally play a RECORD for the entire store to hear. Kinda like Darius in the movie Love Jones. I spent a couple of dollars on cds in here. If you ever get to Minneapolis, you've gotta check out the Electric Fetus

4. Let's go outside

The spring and the summer are why people live in the Twin Cities. This April marked the opening of Target Field for the Minnesota Twins. I went to a game to see my team, the New York Yankees, come to town. The people of Minnesota love their baseball team and they love this new state-of-the-art stadium. It is nice!

5. Sometimes you gotta get out

There are many sights and sounds in Minneapolis. You've gotta see for yourself...

6. It ain't me...

I learned that all of what I've done...all of who I am...all of who I'll ever be can only be credited to God. Every day, despite my flaws and mistakes, HE gives me another opportunity to be the man HE wants me to be. And I am eternally grateful.

7. Why you do what you do

Of all the pics that I've taken, this is my favorite. On this day, the wind chill was -15. I thought to myself..."Why is he riding a bike to work?" The answer was simple...he was doing what he had to do to provide for his family. In many ways...we are both alike

I really miss moments like this...

12 Radio

Tune in to this week's edition of 12 Radio.

Topic- Sports Wrap Up - A discussion on random topics in sports...
Paying college athletes, NBA/NFL Labor Agreements, NFL Training Camps, Groupies, and many other topics.

Show starts at 9pm EST.

(347) 215-7162

Show link...

http://bit.ly/cy9asC

freak it

I'ma keep it simple today

Just have a question for you...

What's the difference between a freak and a hoe? Or is there a difference?

I know some of you may be thinking at this point..."Kyle has lost his damn mind." I haven't. I'm still sane...i think. This subject came from a convo that I was having with my homegirl Silent Scorpion on twitter a few wks ago. We were on opposite sides of the fence. She said they are interchangeable. I say that we are ALL freaks. Some of our freak levels are higher than others. A freak (or freakiness) can be a description for what you do or like. A hoe (male or female) will do whatever...whenever...with whomever.

So I ask you the question without having you divulge your personal conquests (LOL)....What's the difference between a freak and a hoe? Or is there a difference?

Hollatchaboi

lost one

Chat rooms.

I hate em. Neva been a fan of them.

When I first got on this thing called the innanet, I quickly noticed that most chat rooms were filled with people who were pretending to be something that they were not. I mean, you're on a computer...who would know if you're being honest about who you truly are? I promised myself that I would be as truthful on this blog about myself on this blog as I am with anybody who knows me. I could tell you that I'm a 6ft 8 inch, self made millionaire, ladies man. I could tell you that I was the best wide receiver to ever play at South Carolina State and I TURNED down an opportunity to play in the NFL. I could tell you that I've got 6 kids from 5 different baby mommas. That's not my style. Instead, I choose to write about the stuff that I do and I let you into my world. Most of the people who read this blog have not met me yet they know me very well. They know about me and my love for my 3 lil boys, my wife, family, and crew. The picture that I've painted is one that is true.


"A lie don't care who tells it."

Now to the subject at hand. When I woke up on Saturday, I noticed that I had 67 friends on Blackberry Messenger. Strange. I had 68 on Friday. I thought..."No big deal. Maybe somebody left Blackberry for the iphoney." I didn't give it another thought until my boy Russ asked me if I had read my boy WisdomIsMisery's latest blog. I hadn't read it but I quickly read it. If you didn't read it, please do. It may not mean as much to you as it did to me and I understand that.

It was about my friend "Reina" who USED to write on the blog "Reinasong.com". To summarize it, "Reina" and her blog was a sham. The picture above does not belong to "Reina". The picture is of someone else. I won't get into too many details of how she "pump faked" me and the rest of her friends. Read WisdomIsMisery's blog. He breaks it down. And I gotta thank the homie for doing that. He told "Reina" that he knew she was fake and mysteriously...she disappeared. Suddenly...I had one less follower on twitter...one less Facebook friend...one less Blackberry Messenger friend. Her blog, Reinasong.com, is gone.

I'm not here to bash "Reina". Here's what I DO know about her. She was/is an intelligent woman. Her stories on the blog were very well written. She was an advocate of the fight against domestic violence against women. I know that "Reina" was mad cool. We chatted often...almost daily on twitter or blackberry messenger. She told me of her feelings for a fellow blogger. Like I said, mad cool. I would often tease her about her voice. She was Black/Puerto Rican but she sounded like she was from the backwoods of South Carolina. She co-hosted on my show, 12 Radio, 3 or 4 times. In summary, I considered "Reina" to be a friend.

Once I found out that "Reina" was fake, I was tempted to call her on her cell (we've spoken by phone) and try to get to the bottom of it. Why lie? Why be somebody who you aren't? Keep it real. You think you have to be a swimsuit model for people to like you? Do you! Be you! That's it! The fact that she disappeared once WisdomIsMystery found out who she was/wasn't speaks VOLUMES about who she is/was/will be. For all i know, "Reina" could be a 300 lb female Biggie Smalls look a like. It aint about a look because i guarantee that i look wayyyyyy betta than my pictures and my pics look great. It's about being who you are. It's about being truthful and honest about who you are. Am I hurt? Nope! Disappointed? Yes. I'm a loyal dude. If you're cool with me, then you are cool. She was cool with me. Now...I dunno know. She's got my info. I ain't hard to find. I'm sure she's reading this.

Get at me "Reina"

The moral of the story is that all I ask from ANYBODY is to keep it real with me. I'm gonna do that with you.

And that's something that "Reina" had a hard time doing.