Tough Gig

Tomorrow morning at 8:30am I'm preaching in a school chapel on 1 Corinthians 5. That's the on about the guy sleeping with his step mother.

Hmmm, tricky? Yes. Evangelistic? Difficult. Should I keep the mofo references to a minimum? Definitely.

Still, I'm wondering how much fun is appropriate.

Wale Mini Review from NOCTURNAL Miami 5/27/11

First off I would like to express that I am a Wale fan, so if this comes off extra harsh just know my damn feelings was hurt! I rep Wale for two reasons, 1st he from D.C. and its rare that artist such as Wale make it out of D.C. They normally are local and that's it but he did it. 2nd his Music I love it! His flows, his words everything about him paints a perfect picture of an artist! Well not at Nocturnal!!!!

I would say the show was hot, but you can't really call 4 1/2 songs a show. So let's call this a baby review of Wale live at Nocturnal; which was JUST ok!!! I arrived around 12-ish and the line to get in was crazy. I just said thank Jesus I didn't have to wait in that line. The promoter Tristian who I was dealing with looked out and kept his word 100%, which is great! There was a decent crowd inside, but not that packed. Walshy Killa from Black Chiney was in the booth acting a damn fool on the mic. You know when a person loves what they do, because he was up in that DJ booth having a ball! After a few rounds of pictures and a drink, I was literally was suffocating by the amount of people that showed up. DJ Bre and his MC shelled it and played the right music to get the people jumping. I love to see when a DJ's can go from Hip-Hop to Pop and have the crowd jumping right threw! Dj Bre did the damn thing on the mixing; but the MC took it up 3 more notches. Soon after you had Rich Kid touch the mic with his hit "Get money." He had that crowd rocking to the track, but nothing else after. Rick Kid we need more music!!! You had an Artist by the name if Rello, who's music, was off the hook! I got to get a sample and when I do if you love hip hop you gonna love Rello. Slim came and got stank on the mic, but did what he do best.

Before that for 2 hrs I kept hearing Wale 15 minutes away, till he finally appeared. When he did you would have never notice, because he is so short. I truly felt like an Amazon next to him, because of my heels. He looked humble and in chill mode when he first got there, but after a while it changed. Getting a picture was literally a nightmare, because from what I was told he did not want any. WHATTTT!!! What do these celebs expects? You had people pay VIP money just to get a pic or even a wud up. I understand they want to party, but understand we in a recession, so interacting with fans, especially in VIP would have been nice. I don’t know what the deal was, but it got real crazy, real quick to the point I was aggravated. Wale looked like he was not in the mood after a while or he did not want to be there. He seemed so unhappy about something or maybe that’s just him. Being a D.C. vet I know that’s how some D.C. dudes come off, but are cool ass dudes. On some real shit though he just looked pissed. At first I thought it had something to do with Club owners or promoters, but after seeing him at Spring Fest I noticed he had the same vibe. So I am going to assume something was wrong. If he gets aggravated by people wanting a picture, autograph or even an interview he needs to retire. Thankfully he was NOT rude to me and the pictures I got where aight, I just felt bad for those who looked extra hurt. I mean there was a white dude that had a sharpie for Wale to sign his hate and the way he was treated was messed up. I just pray Wale is happy with his Maybech deal and his new surroundings. He still does not mesh to me since he comes off so humble and real, but we will see where the Maybach Label goes from here. Not saying Rick Ross ain't humble, but he ain't the cool ass dude I knew when his first single was still underground. But I guess that's how it goes when you reach to a certain level.

Anyway the show was a great success and even though it was a baby preview, Wale still showed up and did his thing. I pray the next time I see Wale, I get hired to be on his team and hope he feels better to socialize. DMV I rep all day, so till next time be sure you cope that new album “Self Made Volume I,” and rep my boy Wale!


View Photo's from Event here

Best of the Best Day 2

Day 2 of this festive weekend was good despite the Jamaican artist issue. I feel certain artist could have gone on at a different time, but who am I to say whose hot or not? I reached the park during Taurus Riley’s set and I have to give it to him again Taurus is an amazing artist. He had the best show for Day 2. His lively energy and interaction with the crowd is what makes his shows amazing. His band is amazing and the way they interact with each other can make a none Taurus Riley fan become a fan, just by hearing them live. The best part of the show was his tribute to Buju Banton. Even though I seen it at the Buju concert, it felt bran new just because of his passion while singing his song. Taurus Riley in Jamaican terms "Ah di Boss" and will always have a fan.


Sanchez still got it for an elder. Singing hit after hit Sanchez brought back some good memories from my child hood days. His set was nothing spectacular; it was just great to see him looking fresh as hell. He also still sounds exactly the same, which is always a good thing. But once my A.D.D kicked in I could not keep still too watch his entire show.


Alison Hinds is still a Bomb Shell Diva. I been following her since 1995 and I swear after 17 years she still looks amazing. In her gold blinging dress she gave the crowd a few whines and showed why she is the true Soca Queen. She let it be known that this was her 1st Best of the Best appearance and asked if she could come back. The reaction from the crowd let it be known that the answer was YES! Soca is always needed at a Caribbean concert as big as Best of the Best, so I do pray they bring her back. When it comes to Alison she always does something to keep you rocking to the Soca beat.

The next sets seem to have been put on fast forward mode, so I won't lie I missed a lot.

With DJ Khaled you already know how his set goes. He didn't have too many friends this year. But he manages to still have a bunch of dudes on stage that leaves you to wonder what the hell they do. Khaled didn't seem overly hype which is not normal. It could have been the fact that his set was put on fast forward mode or half his friends did not come this year! Who knows, but his set was the same? He had Ace Hood, Billy Blue, Ball Greezy, Rich kid and of course Busta Rhymes who I must say has a nasty attitude. I never new his head was so big, ESPECIALLY to his own peeps. Wait he did have one surprise and that was Ludacris, which was odd since he was suppose to be on Day 1. I guess since Day 1 got cut off on time Luda and the contest winners performed during khaled’s segment. I was bored this year; there was no excitement at all.


I-Octane impressed me for sure. He came on stage and song hit after hit. He shocked me on how many hot singles he has. Other then Taurus and Alison, I-Octane had the show on lock. He had the crowd bubbling from the time he hit the stage till the time he got off. Due to fast forward mode he dashed threw each song, which was upsetting because he should have been right before Shabba Ranks.


V-Y-B-Z Kartel man...it’s such a shame that this man can not travel. I swear if he was able too I really think all the foolishness he carrying on with would have not happened. Or maybe it would have been worse? Who knows but his segment pulled threw great. The man seem to be so overly excited, I swore his smile was going to be permanent. He kept letting the crowd know the time to prove it was live. The crowd was excited, but after a while it seems to have gotten dull. Maybe shocked that the man really did all those things to himself or shocked that he really was live via satellite. To me I just felt like I was watching a Youtube video! However I was impressed how everything went smooth and there were no glitches. If this was pre-recorded I am impressed because I could not tell; but I am sure it was not?

Etana, Demarco, Assassin, Stephan and Chino Mcgregor, Danielle D.I. and Stephan & Damian Marley Shows all went flying by as well! Trina did not show, I guess she was mad she didn't get hired for day 1? So it was safe to say they rushed so Kartel can get his time and Shabba Ranks can get his time.


To close out Day 2 Dutty Stinking Shabba worked his magic. But if you seen him before, it’s nothing new. What amazes me is how much energy this man still has. Shabba was on the stage whining, dropping, doing tricks with his microphone and stripping to show off his almost there six pack. Did I say whining? Yeah the man can whine his ass off. I mean hands down to Shabba, he has all right to think he is the shit. He was giving the crowd his all during his set. Maybe he was letting it be known that these youngsters better give him respect? Now don't get me wrong yeah he was great, but he got dull during some of his songs. But as always his girl tunes brings everyone back to life. Bring up Maxi Priest to rock the stage doing their classic hit "House Call" gave him a big plus. Maxi Priest still looks and sounds the same after all these years. I wish he did a few more songs since he does have major classics. Maybe next year now that he made it be know he still exists. Also helping Shabba out on stage was Miami's own Selena, singing tracks like "Mr. Loverman" and "Twice my Age." Just before she was going to leave the stage Shabba literally said "Don't move that Pu**y off the stage!" Poor Selena looked shocked as hell. He tried to clean it up but saying "Don't move that Punany," like that was any better? After that shocking moment Selena manages to give him a whine after he nearly tried to damage her during “Mr. Loverman.” Man what a performance!!! Once again hands down to Shabba and all his energy.

After dropping his Mic twice, Shabba dropped his mic for the third time and walked off the stage, which indicated his segment was done for sure. After they claimed there were more performances and introduced the original "Bruck Up" everyone started to walk out.

The show was a hand full and kept people entertained. There where a few down moments, but the Artist performances made you over look them. I am sure as time goes by it will only get better. One thing about Best of the Best is that no matter what is said; they prove the show must go on. They seem to always manage to pull some of the best out of their hat. Let's just hope and pray there continues to be a crowd pleasing artist that can travel. 2012 is going to be another mystery show that’s going to leave you on your toes. So until then see you next year at Best of the Best 2012 Memorial Day Weekend here in Miami!

View Photos from Event here

Day 1 of Best of the Best "Spring Fest"

First off I won't tell you how I missed half of the show because I was being naive about the show starting on time. I got caught up in the "Oh their going to be running late," thought. Well in this case I was the one who was running late. I missed Marsha Ambrosius, Jeremiah, Miguel, and Travis Porter. No one can explain how pissed I was because it was 6:30 p.m. and all of them went on already. There were no local acts from what I was told. Which was odd to me since that's what they where advertising. Now I have learned to never listen to what commercial’s and to be on time because I missed a lot.

As I was strolling into the park I hear Miguel on stage performing "All I want is you," then "Sure Thing." I was real impressed by what I was hearing, because Miguel sounds exactly the same as his record. Now I got a chance to rub elbows with Miguel and boy he looks better in person and with hair. He comes of so smooth and sensitive that I felt he was going to get injured by the media. Even though "some" of the media were acting like stalking paparazzi and hound dogs, Miguel managed to make it through to talk to everyone. He is such a sweet heart; he makes me want to dress him up and play house.


Lloyd from what I seen before was 100% better during this performance. He was interacting with the crowd, dancing and just look happy to be on the stage. During his show Ace Hood hoped on and did his new hit "Hustle Hard!" He's another one who looked hella happy on stage; I mean with “Hustle Hard” being his best single, he really should be happy. I was really Loving Lloyd hair cut, because he actually looks like a man and not a boy now. His singing was awesome, he sounds the same high pitch and all. He was the most humble of them all! Not only did he take the time to talk with everyone, he actually didn’t let his people bully him to rush through. One thing I hated was his hat!! He kept it in his face most of the time in the media tent like he was shy or something. Looking at that gorgeous body made you care less about his hat issues after a while.


Ms. Keri Hilson, Sigh....okay so I felt like I was at her performance two years ago in Cafe iguana Pines. The only thing that changed was her appearance; Keri Hilson is a very beautiful girl. However instead of hating on Beyonce, she needs a lesson or two for her to better her performance. She dances 100% better, but she sound real tired while singing "The way you Are" which was her 3rd song. All in all Keri was good, but I expected way more. I did not like her sailor hate and baggy jeans look. Since this is Miami I thought she would get sexy and fly, Well I thought wrong. She was cute, but that costume shit was not cute at all. Keri did not come to the media tent of course, which was no surprise.


Chris Brown, WOW what a true performer. The boy confused if you ask me, because he bleached his hair back to blond. The reaction when he hit the stage to "Transform You" was sick! I thought people where going to pass out. For a tall dude he really got some moves on him. For the first two songs, he showed and proved that he is a dancer. I still think he’s a little too tall, but it fits him well. The singing I won't lie was a little off and cracky. He didn't sound tired, he just sound like his butt was partying hard the night before. My favorite part of course was the lap dance he gave to one of his fans. He asked who wanted to join him, forgetting I was on media mode I sure did raise my hand. But of course some girl on stage already got the pleasure of the best lap dance a man can give a woman. Chris looked serious and had sex written all over his face. Did I mention the humping of the floor???? Yes Chris had me feeling like a real cougar! Sigh....he was great!!! He was another who did not come to the press tent, which was okay because I would have acted real unprofessional after that performance. Plus we did not want no out burst from stupid questions that may have come his way.


"Yup" is all you hear, then out the shadow Trey Songz appears on stage singing "Invented Sex." Of course the crowd went CRAZY for this new sex icon! During his performance at first there was nothing special about it, because all he was doing was hopping back and forth singing to crowd. He sang the hell out of his songs, I give him that much. He also was feeling on his stuff to get the girls crazy, but really that gets boring after a while. Then of course it was only right for his brother from another mother Drake to bless the stage. Which after their performance Drake gave him props by saying, "He's one of the best to ever do it??" I don't know about that since he sounds exactly like R.Kelly, but that's his boy so I guess that's why he felt that way. After 15 minutes I realized he was still on stage, which was way too much! Trey had no dancers or no type of other entertainment so it felt like it was bed time. He did great, but it was way too long, for me anyway. I have officially become a Trey Songz fan, not like the screamers in the crowd, but a fan of his music.


To close the show it was only right they do it with Miami's Boss Rick Ross & Friends. Yes Ross reminds me of Biggie, but he has build a style and umpire that we just can't deny! After hitting the stage he brought on three of his hottest artist off Maybech Label, Gun Play, Wale and Meek Mills. Gun Play gets crowd up with “Rolling.” Wale who by the way looks so unhappy does his "No hands" verse and Meek Mills puts it down with "I'm a Boss" and "2pac Back." Even though they did well, they seem to look unhappy. Is their tension in Maybach land or was it because their time was almost up? Who knows all I know is they looked like an unhappy camp or maybe I am confusing Cocky with Unhappy? I know the boss was really mad when they cut his time short. The park was not playing at all 12 a.m. they locked it down. I am glad I got a little piece, since I am a new found Maybach Fan.

Even though I missed some awesome artist, the show was great from what I did get to see. I did not like the set up, but with the new apartments viewing the park, it’s only right they set it up the way they did. Everything ran smooth and there were no real major issues that I had to be upset about. I give the team props for getting most of the artist to the Media tent. They just need to have some more structure so that the artist would not get hound like they did. "Spring Fest" 2011 gets an A from me! I can't wait to see whats in store for next year.

View Photos from Event here

Closer to Inerrancy

I was happy to see today that my most personally upsetting and perhaps the overall most critical translation error of the NIV has now been fixed by the NIV 2011:

NIV 1984

Ehud reached with his left hand, drew the sword from his right thigh and plunged it into the king’s belly. Even the handle sank in after the blade, which came out his back. Ehud did not pull the sword out, and the fat closed in over it.

NIV 2011

Ehud reached with his left hand, drew the sword from his right thigh and plunged it into the king’s belly. Even the handle sank in after the blade, and his bowels discharged. Ehud did not pull the sword out, and the fat closed in over it.

Judges 3:21-22

The translators have put a smile on the face of God.

Pro-Choice

Do you ever feel ripped off that no one asked you if you wanted to be born? Sometimes I feel like the responsibility of being human has been forced upon me. I exist, and I'm expected to love people, love God, obey the Government, and no-one one said "Hey, Tom, I've got a life for you, it'll be a bit of a responsibility, but it could be rewarding. Do you want it?"

Chances are, having had my options laid out, I would have chosen life. It's just that no one asked. It's my life, it would have been nice to have been consulted.

We should start a movement to get God to start giving pre-bodied humans the right to choose if they want to exist. If God acquiesced it'd totally stuff up the right to life/pro-choice debate.

Actually maybe God did give me a choice and then erased the memory. Maybe I exist of my own free will, I just don't remember it.

Anything is possible.

miPad

I have been thinking about getting an iPad for preaching.

I feel like there should be heaps of cool things you could do with an iPad while preaching. But it seems no. I did some research. Seems like the best thing you can do while preaching is read your notes off it. It works like paper, except it's about $800 more than paper.

Oh well.

I guess I won't get an iPad. Just as well probably.