YN and the RapRadar team just posted a message from Jay-Z, which was written following an Arizona show that was co-headlined by himself, Kelly Clarkson, and Third Eye Blind:
"I thought that to be the oddest pairing EVER but, soon realized, it's what I've always professed..There is NO such thing as BLACK music or WHITE music only GOOD or BAD music..It's stupid cool to like things that are not like you, and that goes for outside of music.."
B-boys, get your hip-hop on; hipsters, get your rave on; teeny boppers, let your ears bleed to that Disney Channel nonsense. Most importantly, DO YOU. If you like what you're hearing, isn't that all that matters?
Shouts to my cousins -- aka DDoffs #2 and #3 -- both of whom were lucky enough to attend last night's show in Tucson.
Prologue: My sincerest apologies for the lack of posting, I've been traveling like crazy and have been too busy working (read: partying) to contribute to the blog. Thanks to all of you who continue to visit DDoff Daily, I continue to post new music on the right side on a frequent basis, and more writings are on the way...
In the meantime, take the time to check out up-and-comer Chris Mann. Dude is a classically trained opera singer who has decided to take a stab at pop stardom. If you liked the Fray's cover of Kanye West's "Heartless," this version will truly blow you away. In fact, it's more than just a cover; this is an all-out remake.
So enjoy this ditty for now, and check back in the coming days for more goodies.
If you like the new Eminem single, "We Made You," that's fine by me. Your ears might need a checkup, but I'm happy for you.
If you're like me and aren't impressed, let me simply remind you that this is all part of Em and Dre's fool-proof formula that has yet to fail. A quick case study:
2000: The Marshall Mathers LP
First single: "The Real Slim Shady," a goofy ditty with countless pop culture references and subversive jabs.
Second single: "The Way I Am," a lashed-out screamer that spooked the hardest-of-hardcore junior high punks. A complete antithesis of the first single.
**Interesting fact: Both of these songs were recorded just hours before this album's deadline, when Jimmy Iovine wanted a "My Name Is" sequel to introduce the new album. Marshall wrote "The Way I Am" in response to these demands (evident in the lyrics: "I'm not gonna be able to top a 'My Name Is'"). Once he cooled off, "The Real Slim Shady" was born.
2002: The Eminem Show
First single: "Without Me," another silly track aimed at current chart-toppers, namely boy bands and Moby.
Second single: "Cleaning Out My Closet," an introspective journey through Em's troubled childhood and adolescence.
**Are we beginning to notice a pattern here? Read on.
2004: Encore
First single: "Just Lose It," complete with a Pee-Wee Herman imitation in the chorus. 'Nuff said.
Second single: "Like Toy Soldiers," where Em offers a truce to his lyrical enemies and mourns the death of best friend/partner Proof.
**Yes, "Encore/Curtains Down" was technically the second single from this album, but it was released simultaneously with "Just Lose It" as a street single for hip-hop radio (aka no video) and I am counting it as a "second first single." Em kept the solemness alive after "Like Toy Soldiers" with the sappy-go-lucky "Mockingbird."
2009: Relapse
First single: "We Made You" Second single: TBD.
**Just like "Encore," "Crack a Bottle" was a street single and can't be counted as a proper single.
So there you have it. Marshall and Andre like to get the kids excited with the funny routine, then let the hip-hop heads take notice with the next joint. Be patient, true fans. The real music is on its way.
