Some Of My Favorite Designs

I did this design a while back for a mixtape. I randomly was going through my designs and came across these two. I love these so much they will be going on the portfolio section of my company website. [creativestardezign.com Coming to you soon!]

Note: I did this for free... imagine what I do when I get paid lol.

Michael Jackson Grammy Performance - 1988

I had this post up before but the video was deleted. I love the intro to 'The Way You Make Me Feel' [So Amazing!]

Baby Be Mine - Michael Jackson

I was on the way to work and was listening to some MJ. I love this song... so this is my song of the day. His voice always picks me up. I miss you MJ :) [Currently working on my tribute poem to him which will be in my Second book!]

Dope Music - Menahan Street Band

I had the pleasure of hearing about this band while at The Legendary Spit Dat [LOL] 733 Euclid Avene NW [For all my DMV heads] Jay-Z actually sampled their song 'Make The Road By Walking' on his song 'Roc Boys' (And The Winner Is) I loved the original song so much that I decided to go ahead and check this band out fully. I have their album 'Make The Road By Walking' on Vinyl. So if you are looking for some REAL music. [Not the crap on the radio, check them out. TRUE musicians]


A little background about Menahan Street Band:


MENAHAN STREET BAND

The Menahan Street Band is a collaboration of musicians from Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings (Dave Guy, Homer Steinweiss, Fernando Velez, Bosco Mann), El Michels Affair (Leon Michels, Toby Pazner), Antibalas (Nick Movshon, Aaron Johnson) and the Budos Band (Mike Deller, Daniel Fodder), brought together by musician/producer Thomas Brenneck (Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Budos Band, Amy Winehouse) to record hits in the bedroom of his Menahan St. apartment in Bushwick, Brooklyn. With influences reaching beyond the funk/soul/afrobeat architecture of their other projects into the more ethereal realms of Curtis Mayfield and Mulatu Astatke, the Menahan Street Band creates a unique new instrumental soul sound that is as raw as it is lush. Their debut album, Make the Road by Walking will be released on Dunham Records, Brenneck’s new imprint of Daptone Records, a joint venture devoted to bringing the Menahan Street sound from Brenneck’s bedroom out into the world. The album is marked by eerily quirky arrangements, featuring vibes, horns, piano, organ, percussion and even a strange bling sound that Brenneck creates by tuning and plucking the strings of his guitar on the wrong side of the bridge. However, it is not the textures themselves that make the new sound of Menahan Street so exciting, but rather the way the sounds are incorporated into the heavy rhythms and bold melodies of the compositions.

via www.daptonerecords.com

Va$htie & Kid Cudi - When Lines Are Crossed

This flippin video is hilarious! If you need a good laugh u found the antidote lol!

Man On The Moon: The End Of Day - Review

So, as many people know I am an AVID Kid Cudi supporter. At times I think avid would be an understatement. :) In lieu of his album release I thought it only right to give my thoughts on the album. I will humbly admit when I first heard the album I wasn't feeling it as much as I wished I would have. On the surface it appeared to be just too dark for me. I categorized it as "razor blades & lemon juice music". In the beginning of my journey with this album I was a little disappointed because I felt Cudi made it seem to be bigger than what it was (upon first listen). Not making excuses but sadly I think I let the biased opinions of nay sayers and "die hard" Hip Hop fans cloud my judgement. With the album leaking a weak prior to its scheduled release, I was getting a lot of mixed reviews. It was like a LOVE/HATE war going on. Some folks loved it, others loathed it. I myself, well I was in the middle. I don't know if when I first listened to it I wasn't at an open minded place or what. [It was about 2am and I was DEAD tired!] I guess I wanted something more uptempo at that point in my evening! lol. Who knows. Either way after a considerable amount of spins I came to appreciate this album more and more with each listen. Cudi was right about one thing though. Either you will love it and think he's a genius or hate it and think he is insane.

This album definitely takes you on a ride. I love the cinematic nature of it. i.e. the Acts and the Narration by Common. It just works. I love the production on the album. So many amazing artists on it from Ratatat, Free School, MGMT, The Larry Gold Orchestra, and of course Mr. West. This album is to be especially appreciated in a pair of Skull Candy headphones. It is just a beautiful journey. The synths and genre blending is exactly where we need to go in Hip Hop. Although, truthfully I don't even feel like this album can be classified as just Hip Hop. It is a mix of Hip Hop, R&B, Pop, Electro, Alternative Rock, etc. It pushes the envelope of creativity. I think a lot of people were expecting Cudi to be an exact replica of Kanye or some other artist. [Mind you Kanye pushed the envelope with 808's which is an AMAZING album. One of my favs of ALL TIME lol... no pun intended.]

Aside from all of the positive things I just listed about MOTM my favorite thing about this album is the HONESTY. It seems like people expect rappers to be hard all the time. Cudi put pieces of himself out there to let the world know his struggle and his thoughts. I think society is accustomed to men not being this expressive. I applaud Cudi for his remarkable BRAVERY. He let us into his world. I think this very same point is one of the things that turned me off at first. I came to realize that the fact that I identify with Cudi so much scared me and I didn't want to be in that space of those depressing yet, REAL emotions. I think I had a wall up because some of the things Cudi went through/is going through, I went/go through too. I could identify with him in various ways. I think many of us have the same thoughts Cudi had. We are just too afraid to admit it. I love this album because it speaks of things we think about but may not be able to express or want to express for fear of being misunderstood. Cudi openly admits being misunderstood but for those people who have actually gone through something in life, we get you Cudi. My top 5 tracks on the album are Cudi Zone, Pursuit Of Happiness, My World, Soundtrack 2 My Life, & Enter Galactic/Solo Dolo ((tie)). [I was looking forward to In My Dreams the most at first... its still DOPE btw] Even with the "darkness" of the album it is still one that you can pop in and just vibe out to. The musicianship on it is incredible!

I truly believe Cudi accomplished what he set out to do. He gave us a piece of his world, with an open minded approach to music and expression, He did it in a way that told a story. Thats what music is about right? It's about the story of the artist. Not this fake, meaningless, foolery we hear on most radio stations. One quote that I feel is so appropriate right now is one from the Kid himself.
He said:

"ummm, im not da most insightful rapper, im not ya Talib Kweli, ya Mos Def, ya Kanye, uhhh ya Common, or anyone like dat...i dont consider myself a genius, but i aint a dummy either...if u like my music its not gonna b bcuz of some witty line i said or me bein political, its gonna b bcuz u connect with me as a person n u relate 2 my story at the same puttin yaself n my SB Dunks u feel me?"

He's right... he's not any of these artists... and he doesn't have to be... being Kid Cudi is good enough.


I have my Deluxe Edition Copy and if you haven't supported yet I suggest you do so NOW



This is a design I did just because its what I do and Cudi inspires me. :)

The Best Gift Ever

So of course you guys know I was at the Kid Cudi concert on August 5... Well here is a clip where I got the shoe! Thanks to my homie who loves me dearly lol.




Here it is! lol... Even though I posted it already... who cares. I still can't believe it. Cudi... holla at me.

Day N Nite - (My Sentiments Today)

Today Has Been A Pretty Crappy Day... The Song 'Day N Nite' by Kid Cudi definitely is one that I can relate to. When you take out the catchy production and just listen to the words this song hits home on levels many of us ignore when in the zone listening to the musicianship of it. This song is one I needed to listen to today.

[Verse 1:]
Day and night
I toss and turn, I keep stressing my mind, mind
I look for peace but see I don't attain
What I need for keeps this silly game we play, play
Now look at this
Madness to magnet keeps attracting me, me
I try to run but see I'm not that fast
I think I'm first but surely finish last, last

[Chorus:]
Cause day and night
The lonely stoner seems to free his mind at night
He's all alone, through the day and night
The lonely loner seems to free his mind at night (at, at, at night)
Day and night
The lonely stoner seems to free his mind at night
He's all alone some things will never change (never change)
The lonely loner seems to free his mind at night (at, at, at night)

[Verse 2:]
Hold the phone
The lonely stoner, mr. solo dolo
He's on the move can't seem to shake the shade
Within his dreams he see's the life he made, made
The pain is deep
A silent sleeper you won't hear a peep, peep
The girl he wants don't seem to want him too
It seems the feelings that she had are through, through

[Chorus:]
Cause day and night
The lonely stoner seems to free his mind at night
He's all alone, through the day and night
The lonely loner seems to free his mind at night (at, at, at night)
Day and night
The lonely stoner seems to free his mind at night
He's all alone some things will never change (never change)
The lonely loner seems to free his mind at night (at, at, at night)

[Verse 3:]
Slow-mo
When the tempo slows up and creates that new, new
He seems alive though he is feeling blue
The sun is shining man he's super cool, cool
The lonely nights
They fade away he slips into his white Nikes
He smokes a clip and then he's on the way
To free his mind in search of
To free his mind in search of
To free his mind in search of

[Chorus:]
Cause day and night
The lonely stoner seems to free his mind at night
He's all alone, through the day and night
The lonely loner seems to free his mind at night (at, at, at night)
Day and night
The lonely stoner seems to free his mind at night
He's all alone some things will never change (never change)
The lonely loner seems to free his mind at night (at, at, at night)

Diggin This Kid

Funny Day N Nite Remake

Remaking The Video - Kid Cudi- Day n Nite (Big Boy's Neighborhood) from qdeezy on Vimeo.

I saw this video on datnewcudi.com freakin hilarious. I love when people don't take life too seriously and just have fun! Made me laugh!

Prototype Cover ~ Radio Raheem D.

This is one of my favorite songs of all time and Raheem definitely put his soulful stamp on it!

I Need A Girl - Trey Songz

This song is so sweet to me... I'm just the type of woman he is talking about. I think it can go either or though. I need a guy with the same thoughts in mind as Trey's lyrics.

Human Nature Video - Michael Jackson

My favorite song from MJ

SuperNova ~ Mr. Hudson & Mr. West

MR HUDSON [FEAT KANYE WEST] - SUPERNOVA from MrHudson on Vimeo.

I love this song. Mr. Hudson is definitely one of my favorite artists. Refreshing sound yet reminiscent of 80's pop.

Remembering A Legend: Michael Jackson

Sigh... Words cannot express how I feel at this moment. I know so many people are hurting right now because of this great loss. His music and impact will never be forgotten. Rest In Peace Michael. Here are a few clips that I love from Michael.
I couldn't embed 'Bad' 'Thriller' or 'Billie Jean' videos but these are a few that I enjoy.

This performance is theeeee Dopest!

Top 5 Reasons Kid Cudi Should Date Me!

So. Many people know about my crush on Scott Mescudi aka Kid Cudi. People laugh at me but I don't care. They think because he is a big star that it can't happen. I am a believer that it can because my intentions are good and I don't care about fame & fortune. Just as quickly as a person gets it, it can get taken. ((Not that I wish that on him just saying)). I have thought about 5 reasons why I feel he should give ME a shot despite the probable outpour of groupie love he is getting. These reasons aren't in any order but just 5 key points lol.



1. I GENUINELY CONNECT WITH HIM AND HIS MUSIC. HE IS SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL. I know he has helped many people with his words and music but I believe we are a lot like. We are both loners, we both love good music, we both are silly, we both have a story to tell, we are both extremely creative, we are both SNEAKER FREAKS!, and we both are shy as ever. lol imagine that two awkward shy people. ((hey it can work lol))

2. I AM NOT A GROUPIE. If I ever got a chance to date Kid Cudi I would want to take HIM out. LOL YES I said I would take him out. I think groupies just want a celeb so they can get the perks of meeting other stars, money, and bragging rights of saying they boned a celeb. Even if Kid Cudi was NOT Kid Cudi I would still find him very attractive and just the type of guy I would want to date. I am not interested in his money, fame, fortune, etc. I want to get to know him for him. Not because he is a rapper. I just happen to have been "introduced" to him by his music.

3. I HAVE MY OWN. I am not looking for any type of handout. I have 2 degrees, a career of my own, and aspirations of my own. I am not looking to have him just because he is a star... kinda goes back to point number 2. I have my own dreams and goals so I don't need anyone to validate me. It would just be nice to actually have someone to share the success and stuff with. I am not the type of woman to be a leech. So he would never hear me ask him if I could have the credit card and go shopping with it. I believe a person should buy gifts if they want to... not just because they can.

4. I GAVE HIM A PERSONAL SHOUT IN MY BOOK. I was asking a close friend of mine if I should hop out there and give him a shout in my book. When I first starting listening to Cudi and when I saw him I was just amazed. Like wow this dude is such a breath of fresh air. He just exudes uniqueness and thats what stuck out. I have a lot of influences when it comes to my writing/poetry and just hearing his mixtape and seeing his interviews really inspired me. I thought hmm maybe I should give him a personal shout and if I ever get a chance to meet him I can GIVE him the book and show him just how much of an impact he is making with his music and message. I just believe in him and support what he is doing.

5. I AM A PLAIN JANE GIRL! I saw an interview where the girl asked him about his love life and if he was single and all that. My eyes lit up when he said that he loves Plain Jane girls who just have Natural Beauty and all that. I was like wow this guy is dope. I mean honestly good women like me get looked over because we aren't on that whole model chic type thing. I like keeping it simple and to the point. It really made my day to hear him say that. It kinda lets me know he's not some shallow guy. I admire that. Once again I know plenty of ladies want him but I wonder what their intentions are. I mean don't get me wrong. He has absolutely NO reason to believe anything I say but I would hope somehow he would see just how sincere I am. I mean truthfully how many women really even would have paid him any mind if they hadn't heard Day N Nite? That's not even my favorite song. My favorite song(s) are actually 'Embrace The Martian', 'Man On The Moon', 'SuperBoo' and 'Whenever'... Yes I know the WHOLE catalog and am proud of it. LOL. But seriously. I would love to be the woman he knows is down for him and is not in it just for fame and fortune and the whole hollywood life. I just wanna get to know him. I wonder if this can happen... I guess I'm steppin out on a limb lol... but if I could I'd definitely wanna make "Mr. Solo Dolo"... Solo NO more. :)

Cudi hit me up, I'd like Scott to meet Tisean ((smiles))

2 Believe The Hype Or Not? (Wale Mixtape Weigh In)

Alright...

So I been havin an ongoing healthy debate with some of my fam on Twitter about Wale. DMV bred rapper with a creative approach to Hip-Hop (from what I had been told lol) In the beginning I will say that I really was not a fan of Wale. I didn't see anything spectacular about him besides the fact that he's from my hometown and he is putting Go-Go music on the map in a positive way by having UCB as his band. I think that is commendable and Dope because the world needs to hear Go-Go... Not just the DMV so I applaud Wale for his love for home and his hard core reppin'. I dig that. However I heard a few songs from Wale like 'Chillin', 'Nike Boots', Features on the 'Rising Up' track from The Roots & Features on Cudi's 'Is There Any Love' & a track called 'Look Up In The Stars'. There is one line in 'Chillin' that bugged me "You say you got alotta whips, well I got a Lot"
Wale said he was going for the "Doube Entendre" effect with this line but his folks told him he was reachin. YOU ARE RIGHT Wale... You were reachin HARD lol... that was a lil much. ha ha.

Anyway...

To me there was nothing that Wale said that another rapper couldn't have said. A lot of my people are like "Wale is reminiscent of 'The College Dropout' Ye as far as his hunger and hustle. I was kind of perplexed in regards to that comparison because in my opinion AS IT STILL STANDS I don't see anything Kanye-esque About Wale. Someone even said "He is the next Ye"... I say that is Hip Hop Blasphemy. He and Kanye are pretty different in my opinion. Kanye transcends music and creates on levels people weren't even ready for back in 04 and still aren't ready for now. I mean don't get me wrong... Wale is a talented dude. (Now that I have listened to 'The Mixtape About Nothing' & 'Back 2 The Feature' I can say he is creative and has a unique approach to Hip-Hop.



I will admit whole heartedly that I wasn't a believer in this Kid. I'm still not there 100% but after taking a full open minded listen to both these mixtapes, I appreciate where Wale is going with his music and his sound. On 'The Mixtape About Nothing' I loved the way he incorporated the Seinfeld footage in the tape. Because as everyone knows 'Seinfeld' was a show about nothing. I love how he intertwined those concepts and actually made the mixtape about something. Spitting about issues people rarely touch bases on in this genre. It was more than just money, hoes, and clothes. It was about life, different ideas regarding the word Nigga, ways that men approach women, etc. So I respect it. After taking a hard listen this opened my mind to the opinions my folks were throwin at me before. So I can dig it a little more so now.

As far as 'Back 2 The Feature' this tape was a little long for my taste but I do love the range of Artists featured on it. Bun B., J. Cole, Memphis Bleek, Budden, Jean Grae, Lady GaGa etc. This was a very respectable wide range of artists. What I liked most about this mixtape was that these Cats just went in on straight rappin... bar after bar delivery. I loved that about this. Instead of all the singing, and emo rap, that alot of people are doin today so I respect Wale for taking it to a point where they focused on the delivery and the Art of just pure Hip-Hop. I loved the different subject matters on this album as well. I loved the Soulful yet Gritty feel of the tape.



So overall I can say that taking a little more time and auditory openness to Wale, I like him more than I did before. I also like how on each Mixtape he talks and just opens up about his thought processes and opinions so it gave me a little more insight as to who he is. So i can say I'm becoming more of a believer. I am looking forward to hearing more from him when 'Attention Deficit' comes out.

So to all my folks who have been urgin me to take a harder listen to Wale and give him a chance, I did LOL... and ultimately I can say not bad Wale... Not bad...

Man On The Moon Wallpaper

Most of you who know me know that I absolutely adore Kid Cudi... I think he is one of the most refreshing artists out right now and I identify with him and his music alot. He recently broke down Man on the Moon and how it is a metaphor for his life. Cudi is definitely in a league of his own. I respect him a lot because he is just simply being himself. Something not too many people can honestly say they are doing. So anyway, I designed a wallpaper for it. Found a really dope pic of Cudi I liked and ran with it. Maybe one day he will see it. The passion for design remains when I am inspired and Cudi has fueled a lot of inspiration in me.
Man On The Moon: End Of Day September 15,2009.

Dopeness - Queen God Is

Ryan Leslie @ RUTGERS In the Rain! I was there LOL

Rutgers in the Rain from Ryan Leslie on Vimeo.