LOOK WHO JOGGED THRU THE BRAIN

There used to be very little info on the web about LisaWilliamson (b.1964) after the release of The Coldest Winter Ever--a strong indication of its cult following. There were promises of a Smith-funded movie in the works and then nothing. With Jada's new role as director (The Human Contract), our wishes might be granted after all. Word is that SisterSouljah's long break from the world of car trunk literature comes from travel around three continents to research her new protagonist. Yep ladies, clean out the begged for, borrowed or stolen and make room! According to Publisher's Weekly, Atria Books will release the sequel, Midnight, October 14, 2008 with an initial print run of 500,000. {And that's without the aid of Opie's approval}. Amidst all of your excitement, let's not forget the origins of a true Master Teacher.

VID PICK OF THE WEEK

Gnarls Barkley, Going On
Directed by Wendy Morgan

Where did the treatment for Going On come from and upon hearing the song, did you initially want to include Gnarls Barkley in the video?

The brief for the video was open to have the band in it or not. Given the idea I had and the location, I thought they would probably be cool with not being in it. The idea came like any other idea, the song led to it, it’s the type of idea that changes and evolves a you are in the process but given the lyrical contentent and the feel of the song, I had the idea of a portal to another dimension.

Your direction seems reminiscent of the shots seen in the movie, City of God. Any influences?

To be honest not really, I like that movie allot but I wasn’t thinking about it, I think the locations and the cast maybe led to that look incidentally.

Movement is another theme, do you have a background in dance/choreography?

No I don’t. I know what I like though and we casted dancers based on how they moved naturally, we also has an excellent choreographer with us by the name of shotyme.

I recently viewed your blog where you spend a lot of time in Barcelona. Aside from the people, what places, structures inspire you behind the camera?

Lots of different things inspire me, one of the most inspiring things I can remember in terms of a place is riding a train into NYC and getting to see all the boroughs and backyards along the way. I also took a trip to Africa a few years ago which was a big inspiration for this video.

Toronto as well?

Yes I spent a long time living in Toronto where there is a big West Indian population; I love dancehall and reggae music in general.

Living in Toronto and viewing your MTV clips for the 10 Spot, sexisn't taken too seriously compared to a highly-sexed U.S. where commercials and videos tend to stick to PG safe mode. What are some of the other major comparisons between the two countries where film is concerned?

I think Americans are a little more repressed than Canadians, Canadians are nicer and maybe more boring.

How do you prepare for your next video shoot?

Stress allot, draw story boards, not sleep much and argue allot.

Advice for artists pursuing a career in video/film?

If you want it really bad just start making stuff, people will notice if you really put your heart into something.

Any grand ideas for your future in film?

Yes I’m currently working on a feature film script, lets hope one day I get to direct it.

A STORY OF BETRAYAL OR COMMON SENSE?

THE DEEPER THE COVER, 

THE DARKER THE SECRET.

A film by Bill Duke

Always skeptical when a new Black indie film hits the market, I heard that BillDuke (2.26) (Menace to Society, "you know you fucked up?") dropped a straight to dvd joint about the down low, exploring the ramifications where leading a double life is concerned and how it ruins a woman's perspective on love, family and relationships. I usually give a flic fifteen minutes before I decide if it's a keeper or accidentally scratch the disc so that the return will go smoothly. Five minutes into Cover I was hooked. The movie opens with Valerie Maas played by Aunjanue Ellis (In Too Deep, Ray) as the prime suspect for the murder of a famous singer, Ryan Chambers (Leon). I won't give too much away although a smart cookie can piece together the puzzle after the first half...most of it anyway. Valerie's naivete' and outlook is like most women who ignore the signs of a man who is, well suspect. I've ignored them in more instances than I care to remember, but who am I to judge or pull out my gaythermometer any time I sense a little femininity? If I did that, then every boyfriend--past, present and future share the DL gene. But no seriously, it's quite obvious in the movie and in reality that the signs are almost always evident. However, it is a woman's right to know if the man you trust and love likes a little pudding on his stick. Reiterated, the right to know, the right to share the experience (sometimes a man can have his cake and eat it too), or the right to walk away. When the world gets over the idea of two men together and acknowledges the fact that we are all curious and attracted to one another in this big ol' gay world, then the so-called DL epidemic won't be too hard to swallow. Until that happens, let a mafucka know. 

Aural Inspiration: 

Dru Hill, What Are We Gonna Do 

{Ummm, was I the only one who thought this was an ode to a D.L. love affair that could never be}

RELIGULOUS

If my Sundays were reserved for TimRussert, then my late nights held a slot for Politically Incorrect. Boy was I glad to see BillMaher (1.20) return with Real Time. I sooo respect the views and logical sense that come so easily for my boy and his sarcasm meter is killer. {I definitely can see Karrine's attraction}. October 3rd can't come quick enough for the release of his doc, Religulous directed by Borat's Larry Charles. The film explores religious ideas, beliefs and claims that are patently absurd, comical and well, ridiculous. Fast forward and imagine how riled up the fanatics will be. Grab the green, I can't wait!

JUST LIKE DADDY

Me & Daddy, Summer 1981

FREAKY FRIDAY THE 13th

I'm really gonna miss my dude TimRuss (3.07). I introduced myself to politics when I was about 16 and Meet the Press was the show that got me excited about world affairs. I caught him interviewing Clinton about Iraq (1997) and Saddam's promise to shoot down any spy planes zooming over his country. Clinton insisted that these flights were merely United Nations airplanes whose job was to monitor activity after the Gulf War and Iraq's possible use of biological warfare, schume those weapons of mass destruction. How ironic that a decade later the u.s. media is still wasting ink and tv time on reasons why they have every right to rape the Iraqis of whatever resources they have left. While Tim's voice reminded me of a no-nonsense professor, his presence was good ol' saint Nick with the button nose and rosy cheeks that seemed to get brighter whenever a guest pissed him off. What I respected most is that he provided an unbiased platform for every guest, allowing them to right their wrongs and most times giving them just enough rope to hang themselves. That same year he interviewed Mr. Farrakhan and I was hooked. Sunday mornings @ 11am was my chance to see just wtf was goings ons in this crazy ass world of politics&bullshit. And nobody did it better! R.I.P. Russ, not sure who will fill those shoes.

DEAR JACK, IT'S ME TWIG

It's June and I have been on a creative hiatus, at least from the blogosphere. I can't lie, it's a little daunting and takes more than courage to let your words go. I have trouble most times writing my thoughts in my blue leather bound journal for fear that in the wrong hands, shit could get outta control. I even carry it around with me at all times (past relationships will leave you scarred in more ways than you thought). But this week I learned a lesson in fearlessness, wondering how and when I had lost my armor, remembering when I used to take risks without hesitation. The other night I dreamt that I drove my bicycle (gas prices even haunt me while sleep) from Bmore to the 215. Significance: Bike, train, automobile I must take flight. Well, the kid is back and the show must go on.

Aural Inspiration:

The Roots, The Show

R.KELLY-NOT GUILTY

May 5, 1993

Aaliyah's Diary

Got it, hmmph

(Chorus)

Age ain't nothing but a number

Throwing down ain't nothing but a thang

This lovin' I have for you

It'll never change

Here I am and there you are

You're eyes are calling me to your heart 

All you gotta do is knock and I'll let you in

Then we will feel the passion that flows within

I don't mean to be bold but I gotta let you know

I got a thing for you and I can't let go...

When I saw this month's issue of Fader I thought to myself, didn't Aaliyah past in August but then I remembered that the highly anticipated execution of R.Kelly was all the buzz. {The people over @ Fader really know how to bring things full circle} Dig a lil' deeper and today is the anniversary for the release of her platinum album, Age Ain't Nothing But a Number. 13 @ the time, I had met my first real boyfriend on the beeperline who happened to be pushing 18. I did everything to hide the numbers, telling my mother he was 16 which was still too old for her innocent Catholic school doll. Shiit. Babygirl put it all into perspective and made my sneaking around alright when I rocked to 'At Your Best' and 'Street Thing'. I figured that if she was singing about it, then I couldn't have been the only teenager with such mature feelings. 

Adults would always hit us with, "you're too young to know what love really is."  That's bullshit. My journals then revealed a young woman who was well aware of happiness, pain, doubt, all of the ingredients needed for a relationship. One of my all-time favorite collabos is Your Body's Callin' (His & Hers Extended Mix) where 'Liyah whispers to Kels, "boy my body's calling you/so do what you've gotta' do/are you hungry, do you wanna eat?" I used to rewind that joint over and over, especially those late nights when I wasn't supposed to be on the horn. 

Shortly after her platinum success, Vibe released the issue with a marriage certificate between AaliyahHaughton (1.16) and RobertKelly (1.08) that dispelled all of the rumors. When I got my copy in the mail I showed all of my girlfriends who swore me down that it was a fake. My point of reference was the steamy duet between the two and her first album which was the public's glimpse into 'Liyah's diary. 

This isn't an attempt to judge, but rather humanize the so-called R. Kelly syndrome. The masses can roll their eyes in disgust, but I assure you that he is part of a million man march who has a yearning and admiration for the young at heart. When we shared stories in high school most of our dates were pushing 30. Where was the jury then? The women have been the worst since the release of the tape because we all know our skills (if you have any) come from a man who was at least 10 years + and we all know they were cultivated before or during high school. 

I recently pulled out the infamous tape and what probably makes most people feel uncomfortable is that they never figured that Backstreet Boys and golden showers went well together. No seriously. While the "victim" seems to have problems with the girth, I doubt if that was her first time. The real anger and finger-pointing is fueled by mothers who really don't have a clue what their little girls are up to or their husbands, and in-closet freaks who are suddenly born again. The interviews conducted in Fader all speak on the mystique behind Aaliyah, how she was beyond her time. Like many of us, she held onto secrets that she would take to the grave. I still mourn for her and treasure her lyrics that were taken from the most revealing, darkest places, but let's not forget that on occasion, age ain't nothing but a number. 

IF I WERE KING

When Jodeci's Forever My Lady dropped I fell into an obsessed, mad lovesickness. That was probably the only group that I ever plastered on every inch of my bedroom walls, saving a few spots for MJB. Their sound drowned out any ugliness and amplified their sexiness. I also fell for the man behind the group, thus began my relationship with Puffy. I compare it to Clarence Worley's infatuation with Elvis in the classic flic, True Romance. You know how he sometimes hears Elvis in his mind pumpin' him up when shit has gone awry or cheering him on when he's @ the top of his game. When I'm doing my thang and on my A-game, it's Diddy in my ear shouting all kinds of euphoric applause as if I just created his next multi-platinum hit. When shit hits the fan his voice becomes low, disappointing, the kind reserved for a big brother. Sorry, but that's the closest analogy I can come up with to help you understand our relationship. He's the one artist who can do no wrong, who like a big brother will always be given a second chance. After the airing of mtv's If I Were King, I was thankful for reality tv and a another glimpse into the many sides of Sean Combs (11.04). My favorite scene is his request for a runway filled with Black Jesus'. If you haven't seen it follow the drip (click the blog title) and watch him take that, take that extra slice of his amerikkkan pie.