Warrenaissance's Blog
The Hush Sound @ The Highline Ballroom New York, New York 7-8-08
The Hush Sound @ The Highline Ballroom 7-8-08Alright time for me to write an "extensively long" note about...
TAYLOR SWIFT!!!!! Nah, not really but I have to put thoughts on The Hush Sound Show. Boy Oh Girl what a show indeed. The opening act The Morning Light was pretty damn good. I'll be honest they seemed a little too cocky if that's even possible for an opening act, but they gave the crowd more of a reason to savor the night, as The Morning Light presented us with a professional and solid effort. Up next came my Rookie Of The Year Nominee Ass dudes, Steel Train. Presenting their love for the Beatles in a "not so obvious way." Seriously TRAMPOLINE is one of the more original pieces of art that I've place in MyPod in a loooooong time. And for some reason, I feel their music might go over the kids heads for some reason. They're not exactly you're average band that's lumped in between Cartel and Boys Like Girls. They remind me of a more poppier and instrumentally heavier version The Honorary Title more or less. I just get a good feeling that they're gonna rise above all of these bands and be leaders of your "scene" in about 2 or 4 years. And they donate a very different vibe. The lead singer is calm, relaxed, and mellow and somehow at the same time, the band is all over the place and overtly estatic in terms of being live. In short ST was great. The Cab!!!!! Your boy Alex Marshall got to prove me wrong ( But yo, telling me your band sounds like Justin Timberlake with a Guitar is not the best way to sell me your CD. Nah Son) http://youtube.com/watch?v But him and his band of passengers had a crowd of of young girls and boys putty in their hand, blazing through Sing Along Joints like "High Hopes and Velvet Ropes", "One Of Those Nights", "Can You Keep A Secret", "Take My Hand" and the certified FBR smash hit "Bounce", you'd swear that they were the ones Headlining and not Hush Sound. You would also think that by the amount of people that left the Highline Ballroom after their set was done. Damn son. Luckily they left some fans for The Hush Sound to play for. (I know it's messed up but Me, Janyl, Indiana, and Ann-Marie had great spots for THS so we win.) The Cab ride was pretty def. I bumped into Alex Marshall after the show and told him "okay you got me" and he's like "you liked the music?" And I'm like "yeah". Now for your boys! And Girl. The Hush Sound! The Love Sound, The Kiss & Hug Sound. The Sound of Thank You. Music. Music. Music. Greta, Bob, Darren, Chris, and special guest "Eric" came together to give the city of New York Goodbye Blues for one night. As they started off with "We Intertwined" and carried on dropping notes from their latest musical blessing performing songs like "Molasses", "The Boys Are Too Refined", and I'm pretty sure my heart turned to liquid as I stood their and watched Greta pour her soul into a cold glass of Lemonade and hand it to me in the form of "Hurricane". Her voice is smooth as silk and I honestly had to hold myself back from tears. Letting off a heavy sigh, they picked back up my spirits going in for the kill with my fave Hush song "As You Cry" and I just lost control and broke into my little "Shoulder Boy" move. They were simply on fire. They even did this cover of The Beatles "Back In The U.S.S.R." that freakin' knocked me off my feet! I mean I was incomplete shock, I loved every minute of it! Yup, From "Sweet Tangerine", to the heavy "Medicine Man", to the Acoustic version of "Momentum", to the closer (Bragging of Platinum Singles are we?) their jewel baby "Honey". Even coming out for an Encore with "Crawling Towards The Sun". Then with the band members switching positions as Greta hit the Drums, Bob played the keys, and Darren jumped into the driver's seat covering Smokey Robinson's "You Really Got A Hold Of Me". And Dude, Darren got his "Motown", that boy got more SOUL than a sock with a whole!!!! (MADVILLIAN Reference,http://youtube.com/watch?v But I mean The Hush Sound did anything but keep the crowd quiet. Greta and Bob make love with their vocals on stage and the band as a whole brought a top notch show and put it in the bag, hardcore. So I have to thank Janyl, The Ann-Marie, and Indiana for joining me on a Wonderful night filled with plenty of high powered Hush Sound. Hopefully we all get to do it again soon enough. Till next time. Adios, Peoples!!! | |
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All Time Low Video Shoot (AKA The Longest Day In The History Of Days)
All Time Low Video Shoot (AKA The Longest Day In The History Of Days)
(written July 3rd, 2008)
So anyways yesterday I did a video shoot for All Time Low and their music video "Poppin Champagne" damn it started off as a super long day for me.
I got to the TOUCH NIGHTCLUB about 7:30am and saw the dudes unloading the equipment and such. They were like why did you get her so early? I was like "That's just how I do" (LIES!)
So anyways I walked around the block a few times and by the time I got back at 9AM, there were 2 rooms filled to the top with people. I'm like "Too early my ass" and went to stand in the corner to wait for Keila.
Keila came through and we also saw her homegirl Priscilla F. Baby and her peeps.
1st One on The Blog...
I was in a room Surrounded by Model Chicks, Hot Girls, Beautiful Women, and some dudes, and most of the time if I wasn't thinking about all of this I was thinking about food. I was so Hungry and I had to STAND UP for like 5 hours str8. As I stood frustratedI just started finding the meanest fucking words to any rap lyrics that might offend anybody standing near me.
It seemed like they picked the corniest of dudes to hold down the Hip Hop look at first. I'll admit I was getting jealous of the other dudes they picked earlier because well, I'm Hip-Hop for real, and they're not, meanwhile I started cooling off because I realized I was a Hip-Hop Head at a Video Shoot for All Time Low, not M.O.P or Gangstarr and stuff. Chill Warren.
Either way I was just worried I wasn't going to make it in the video for awhile. And that I woke up at 2AM for nothing. I personally invited Keila and I already knew she was getting in the video hands down, because she like the other girls spent most of the day downstairs with the film crew.
But I later realized it was the politics of the game.
You have to cater to the women first, because as much as I like ATL, the female fans do so much more to prove there allegiance to their favorite bands as they had been shooting most of their scenes all morning, afternoon, and evening.
So as soon as the directors finished with most of the females parts for the video shoot he called up all the guys (or all the guys that were left anyways) for the "Gangstas & Homies" part of the video. (Keep in mind, I'm no gangsta/gangster by any stretch, but I think you know this by now.) So I mean in a sense I got to excercise my acting chops? (blah, I know, yeah f'n right, fuck you warren). I also got the chance to work a few pieces of wardrobe with the dudes, as a coupke of dudes came to me for assistance to tie the du-rags and bandanas. But after that it was ON!
I don't want to spoil the surprise for y'all because I know the video is gonna be Slamming like Andre The Giant. For real. You're gonna love it. Especially the Hard Core All Time Low Fans. What I don't know is how many seconds I'm actually going to be seen or if I've even going to be seen at all. I know the girls got it on lock though.
In order to survive gotta learn to live with REGRETS.
One regret before I move on with life
*I love that I got to wear the special shirt that I copped from the About Time store in my neighborhood of Crown Heights, Brooklyn. But I wore this ill-mannered, obnoxiously loud, and ridiculous hoodie specifically for the video and I rushed downstairs for the shoot so fast I forgot to grab it up for filming.
But I got to wear this dude's shirt which I meant to save for Warped Tour. I guess I'll just have to go shopping again. Whatev, I'll make it work. I'm pretty sure I'll find something dope for Warped.
Well that's what I get.
I don't Pop Champagne though yo. Just a reminder.
ALL TIME LOW thank you for an event of a lifetime and I hope this video get mad spins and crazy props everywhere. Peace Peace Y'all.
Shout Out to all the cool heads I met, Johnny CT, Megan from Philly, the Casting Director who was so damn cool. Big Shout Out to Alex and Jack of All Time Low and Big Shout Out to Keila and Cilla Fury and Cilla's Cute Ass Friend. Word is Bond.
Warren B. & Alex Gaskarth of All Time Low.
4 LOVE!!!!
2 LOVE!!
1 LOVE!
...and Cut!
Warrentertainment 2008©
MOS DEF LIVE @ CARNEGIE HALL (New York, New York 6-28-08)
About the Mos Def Show. Well I can't even think to write about it yo. It was extremely just too good for words, but I'll give it my best shot (it simply won't be good enough though).
(((P.S: Somebody just sent me a message saying this was the first review that they saw on the Carnegie Hall show for Mos Def and they'd been looking since Sunday June 29th. Can all the real journalists get on your job please?!))))
As I sat from the Balcony right over the left side of the Stage I observer with both eyes.
Backed by I would say 20-25 Piece Live Band @ Carnegie Hall. He did covers of other artists songs. From Bel Biv Devoe's "Poison" to De La Soul's "Stakes Is High" music and when people would scream from the crowd he would find the most creative and entertaining way to tell them to be quiet, because Yo this is Carnegie Hall. He's like "Nah Not now yo, I'm trying to do something different" Word. He killed it yo. Gil Scott-Heron came out to a world of applause and assisted Mos in somewhere 15-20 minutes of singing. They even did a brand new song dedicated to My Beautiful (yet expensive) City of New York. It talked about The Development and the breakdown that the New Development is causing in our city. It gave me a feeling of Pride.
After that Gil Scott-Heron said how he has hope for the future because of Mos Def. He's obviously proud of this dude as Mos Def started crying tears of joy on stage. It was a passionate, emotional, and soul moving moment as you witness the distribution of leadership passed to this boney kid from Brooklyn as he stood on the stage and delivered Madvillian's "ALL CAPS" on the stage of Carnegie Hall I didn't know if I was supposed to just sit there and watch him perform or if I should sing the words too. I couldn't help it. He closed with the execution of a Modern Musical Masterpiece "Umi Says" and I just felt the earth give off sunrays at night. It was so... "!!!!!!!!!!"
I was so happy and sad at the same time. Happy that I got to witness this phenomenom and sad that couldn't just stay in that place for the rest of my life. I seriously wished I could live in that specific moment over and over again. Straight Groundhog Day up in Carnegie Hall. I really didn't even want to leave. I could've just sat in Carnegie Hall for a few more hours waiting for an Encore and I would've been happy. It was Heaven.
Gil Scott-Heron went from dissing rap back in the days, saying "it was not music" to standing on stage, performing with, and giving respect to one of the more raw and passionate artists/ Musical visionaries of our time.
Mos Def's Unique Sound brought a certain sense of liberation to the Hip Hop Artform and I think he's starting to gain a more clear understanding of this as the years go by and more ears grow receptive to his message.
I have to thank my homegirl Phalary From The West Coast for if it wasn't for her, I would've probably either not known, or been all the way up in the like 60th Row of Balconies they had.
Mos Def is Love. Mos Def is Music, Mos Def is one of the few Emcees in Hip-Hop History, Music History, History Itself, to ever bless the stage of CARNEGIE HALL. . Hopefully he won't be the last, but at this rate I'm willing to say this is the best show I've ever seen in my life.
Thank You Mos.
NBA2K BOUNCE TOUR and The Day I Met Common...Again.
"Meeting Common, KRS-One Keeps Right,and Joe's 24th Bornday!"
-Warren S. Britt, August 5, 2007
So Fresh off the ROOTS show, Sunday I went to the Sega Sports NBA2K Bounce Show. A pretty fair event to partake in might I add. I was able to catch up with my hip hop homeboy JamMasterJames and his home girl Chi-Hoon. Who I was able to spot in a room that had like about the size of 3 High Schools in it. And with my lack of vision I'm surprised I made them out. It's terrible how blind I am, or at least how blind I say I am. The DJing was kind off a bit though. They had 88 Keys you know the producer for Mos Def's Albums Black on Both Side, The New Danger, and if I'm correct Tru3 Magic. As well as the classic album Mos Def and Talib Kweli are…BLACKSTAR (he specified "Thieves In The Night" but there are more…go check the credits)
But he was playing all this awkward music. I mean a Common audience doesn't really want to hear, 50 Cent and all this pop rap that he was tossing around a bunch of awkward joints then he would play like Gangstarr, then he would play G-Unit followed by Big Daddy Kane. It was just weird. Then when he went about playing records from his own record that's when "some people" lost it. It was actually alright to me though from what I heard. Just like real bad timing to promote a record nobody is gonna buy and everybody is gonna download if even that interested. (Some prick also couldn't keep himself from dissing 88 young dudes have no respect)
So anyways onto the show…The West Coast Legendary PERCEE P was the opener for the night events. Now anybody who knows Stones Throw Records has heard of Percee P. He did "Raw Heat" off of the Chrome Children 2 Record and A Day At The Races from the Jurassic 5 Record Quality Control. He actually had a crazy set and the lyrics did not disappoint , but the crowd was more than ready for Q-Tip and Common than anything ever..
So of course Q-Tip came out with some NEW MATERIAL (I mean it's been like 6 Years it's way overdue) off of his next project heavy, heavy, heavy stuff ya'll get ready 08 is gonna be the official year where Hip Hop Takes over again!!! Man before I even start my words, I have to get props to Q-Tip this man brought out Dres from Black Sheep in the house and he performed "The Choice Is Yours". I'm like how do you do this?!?! Dres is all over the place this year man. I'm pretty sure he's got music and such coming out soon, but he'll always be that "Engine Engine Number 9 on the New York Transit Line, If My Train Falls Off The Track Pick It Up, Pick It Up, Pick It Up!" Cat. It's good to see Q-Tip bringing cats back from around his time and it's good to see Hip Hop Artist respecting each other instead of snuffing each oter like oh let's say "Saigon?" Anyways Back to my main man Q-Tip…He did just about all the classic shit… From "Bonita Applebum", "Jazz", "Scenario", "Electric Relaxation", to "Sucka N****" ( yeah I'm not a big fan of the word but the song is still bangin' to this day and as stupid as it sounds I maintain replacing it with "Sucka Brotha"), to the more up to date "Find A Way". Some of his Solo Ventures like "Lets' Ride", "the ever popular "Vivrant Thing" (not the biggest fan in the world of that song but provides great party atmosphere) as well as Vivrant Thing Part 2 aka "Breathe & Stop" to "Check The Rhime" where he pulled a random fan out of the crowd to perform the song with him on stage. To the Crowd engaging "Award Tour" where he jumped into the crowd (well behind the barricade anyways) and performed with a whole bunch of tribe fans in the palm of his hands very energetically. Then he hit the stage and said his goodbyes to all of us.
You just have to love Q-Tip not only as an artist but as a person as well. He's just on of the coolest, kindest people you could ever bump into (Yeah I'm asking for it I know). I was so scared because Q-Tip put n a DAMN good performance I was worried for how Common's performance was gonna come off. I've only seen Common perform live once.
Then the Headliner...
You hear the "Forever Begins" Music kick in via Live Band, and then this dude pops up kicking his verse. I'm like Yes! Common was such on another planet. He performed "Black Maybe", "I Want You", "The People", "Breakin My Heart" off of FINDING FOREVER, God he did "Drivin' Me Wild" and it was the most beautiful shit that you could've ever seen live. Ever!!!! I damn near wanted to cry, but I was good for real.
Man he did "Testify" and it looked like I was watching a Broadway play. With each and every movement and word he put his SAG throughout the Third Verse describing each action thoroughly and putting us in a world of insight towards his appreciation for storytelling. It was a magnificent display of where hip hop could possibly go on a stage performance level.
But the only thing is Common has taken it there. So what's next? It's a very dangerous question man you don't understand.
So this dude does Like A Mini-Biography of Hip Hop over the Beat Erykah Baud's "Love Of My Life" through covering one of Rakim Allah's songs which is always peace, the first verso of "I Used To Love H.E.R", Nas's "New York State Of Mind" and then closing it with his verse off "Love Of…" I wish I could remember which one though.
Common also got his freak on with a young woman who was a fan of his a well (From CHICAGO AS WELL!) He called up a girl onto the stage and performed "Come Close" with him like kinda dry humping this chick on the stage it was wicked! Common My DUDE! Got the girls sweating extra hard off of one touch and stuff haha He ended the segment with "Love Is…".which I just wish he would perform that song once in honor of J. Dilla. I'm not even an O.G Dilla head and I want to see that one let go so bad.
Man this dude Common Sense, he went preached a passionate sermon with the Song "Misunderstood" talking about how when he came out of Electric Circus the critics bashed him for being different with his music and style of dress. Then he went backstage and freakin' change clothes and did "Be" and got the crowd HYPED!!! It was motivational to the fullest extent. Just to see the everyone bind together and unite in singing along the words of the song. It was Harmonious.
He did "The Corners" which is always an ill performance. He also gave "Go" to the people as well. Fun songs for the people to enjoy.
But that's not even it! He Brought out Q-Tip & KRS One out to represent NY and KRS went and after performing "South Bronx" and "The Bridge Is Over" gave Common the Crown as The "KING OF NEW YORK" HaHaHa incredible! Then Q-Tip, KRS-One, and Common got in a Freestyle Session live on stage and they just Massacred the last of H.E.R. It was Bliss.
Though a few songs that I would've loved to see performed were "The Game", "The 6th Sense", The FULL version of "I Used To Love Her" "This Is Me" (I'll probably never see that Live), "Love Is…" the full version, "Chi-City", "The Food" were not performed that night, Common made up for it by Letting "The Light" Shine Special for You and Me! It just simply "Dope".
After the Show was over…I didn't even know what to do. I didn't want to go home! To what…wake up and go to work from THAT?!?! How would I even sleep?! So after awkwardly bumping into a co-worker who I would've thought the last person to go to a REAL HIP HOP concert (One Of Those Marketing Chicks on 19 @ Jefferies, Hey Maybe she's co… Naw) Me, James, and Chi-Hoon ended up hopping in an elevator with DJ Scratch, (WEEKSVILLE HOUSES BABY!!!) Then while walking up the block, I decided that I would chill out in Manhattan, while the both of them decided to call it a night. So I said bump it… I'm Staying Out Here Shoot because Common HAS To come outside of the side entrance since The Nokia Theatre has no back EXIT! Next thing I know after returning a series of phone calls to numerous friends and family members for about an hour, I see Common come out of the Nokia Theatre. I'm like "Okay Here It Goes"
I walk towards him and there's like 4 people surrounding him Then 4 turned to 3, then 3 turned to just me, and him standing in front of each other. I reach out and extend my hand and say Great Show, Mr. Sense! He says "Thank You Man"
I say could I possibly get a picture with you? Then I guess one of his homeboys hands him a phone and he looks at me and walks away. Now seeing this dude walking away with the phone in his hand my head hits the floor, nad I'm like "Oh…wow" "Okay, well I guess I'll go home now" Then I'm just thinking, wow he's gonna leave, you're gonna let him leave Warren?" Then I turn on my video camera and I'm like about to record my initial reaction to Common walking away. Then I start walking to head to the train and then Common yells… "Yo, come here man" I'm like "What?" and he's like "Aight you want a picture? Let's do it"
So I adjust the Camera and his homeboy takes it and take the picture and just like that it's me and Com. For that moment in time Immortalized Forever. Afterwards the dude that took the picture was like I didn't get to see it but… and I'm like "It's fine just perfect" as I wait for it to show up on the screen.
BOOM! There you have it. I shook Com's hand and said "Thank You Common". Then I started walking up the wrong way to the 49th street station in excitement.
And as I hit the Q Train to BK all I could think was "be thankful for another wonderful night", and the continuation of probably the most favorite year of my life. I really don't know how I'm gonna top this next year.
Shout Out To James C, Chi-Hoon, for enjoying ever aspect of that concert with me…It was Rad Y'all!!!! DJ Scratch, Common, Q-Tip, KRS-One, Shemariah, Phalary (I'm really sorry that you read these atrocious grammatical errors that I call my journal for real, really I'd gouge my eyes out if I had to read a dude who uses like about 40% of his damn entries, it's terrible), oh and Shout out to Pep, Anthony Bennerson, Ilana (of course), Jarrod Gorbel, Eddie, Mikey B., Karla & Keila {MCSF}, Shy Boogie East, East, Carlos A.{Hip-HoparrazZi} Ashley B. {of 5 Elements},
We Are The Fury, Nick Hook, Todd Weinstock, and TJ Penzone of Men Women and Children, My Litlle Cousins Jeremy, and Isaiah (Let's Go METS!! 2008!!!) , Don Willi, Each and Every Member of The Worlds Most Hated Crew, Heather Ferrari, and Valerie, and Vicki Too (I'm gonna win), Chellito, "The Fuckin' Senorita" Moriya from Dipset, and last but not least to my Sister Missy, and to Calvin.
…and of course GRETCHEN!!!
I'm out oh yeah …request me on Buzznet Tricks! www.warrenaissance.buzznet
I'm like the oldest person on there next to you know who? www.deadxstop.buzznet.com
Got any last words to say James? Chi-Hoon Anything? http://youtube.com/watch?v
VH1 Hip Hop Honors Show: starring THE ROOTS
Well I went to the VH1 Hip Hop Honors Show! The Roots Show Last Night. But it wasn’t exactly what I thought it was going to be directly. Their concert was infact a Tribute to the History of Hip Hop (*cough* REAL Hip Hop). Man Riq and Skillz couldn’t have been more on point last night! It was freaking great.
Black Thought covered of Gangstarr’s “Just To Get A Rep”, and him and Skillz traded verses with Golden Era Hip Hop Joints like NWA’s “Fuck The Police” Ice-T’s “6 N’ Tha Mornin’”, EPMD‘s “So Watchu Sayin’” and even more joints. While Skillz did Nas‘s “It Ain’t Hard To Tell”
But it was pretty ill to see MC Lyte hop up on the stage and Rock It. It was my first time ever seeing her perform. So as she did joints like “Lyte As A Rock“, “Paper Thin”, “Cappacino”, “Georgie Poorgie”, Ruffneck, and “Cold Rock A Party” all these songs that I grew up listening to in my room on the radio and watching on The Box. I was going cold mental. It got even worse when they called out
BIG DADDY KANE!!!!
My pops is a Big Daddy Kane fan. Guess what? I am too. So it was a trip to see Black Though and Big Daddy Kane go Verse for Verse over Big Daddy Kane classic joints like “Set It Off“, “RAW”, “The Wrath Of Kane”, and “Ain’t No Half-Steppin” because you know for certain that the way Black Thought performs the verses. Well you look into his eyes and you could just SEE that he grew up straight sayin’ each and every word, putting all of his emotions and energy into the man’s thoughts, appreciating and LOVING it. Big Daddy Kane performed “I Get The Job Done“, “Smooth Operator” with Skillz and Black Thought playing the Hypemen and MC Lyte kickin a verse to “Just Rhymin’ With Biz” crazy! Oh Plus He Brought out this dude Scoob Lover and they did their dancing thing official. I’m like we ain’t seen this dude Scoob since frickin’ ‘98. Man he still got moves for days. Seriously
One of the highlights for me was a Skillz freestyle and by the end of it Thought, Skillz, and by the end of it they were killin’ Audio Two’s “Top Billin’” with MC Lyte kick her big brother Milk Dee’s verse. So for real. Of course Questlove was showin up on stage! Big Old Afro. Man I was definitely feelin the vibe last night.
But I think the Illest part of last night was hen Black Thought kicked the Illest Verses I’ve heard outside of Kweli’s Eardrum this year! It makes you wonder what MTV was smoking when they compiled that fucking sham of a Top Ten List. Man you can’t really be angry though Black Thought more than makes up for what the list missed! BONKERS!!!!! Seriously dangerous.
And on top of that what would a Hip Hop Honors/Roots Show be without at least ONE Roots song? The Roots came together with M.A.R.S and Malik B (*teardrop*) to do the Classic Banger off of the 1996 Illadelph Halflife “Clones”. Man was that a wonderful feeling. Just Special because I mean Malik B. had been MIA for some years as True Roots fans know, so to see Black Thought go off stage and speak to Malik beforehand it was “Peace.”
Overall Skoob Lover, MC Lyte, Big Daddy Kane, Skillz, and The Roots all did their things last night and honored the Artform of Hip Hop and what it truly represents. Keep your radios OFF the so-called Hip Hop Stations because they are only fooling the fools. I’m not gonna call out any names or whatever. Just don’t listen to it. It’s Garbage. Last Night @ The Nokia Theatre Hip Hop was represented for REAL!!!! Thanks to all.
I never thought I’d see the day where VH1 owned both MTV and those Sellout Bamboozled pricks over at BET (Debra Hill I‘m done with you), especially comparing their playlist in ‘97 to their play list in 2007. I could’ve swore I saw a Video from an artist featuring Del The Funky Homosapien on back in like March. Crazy while certain Hip Hop outlets tried to write him off it’s cool to see VH1 actually give artists like him as well as Digable Planets, Floetry, and Mos Def a lane. Shoot VH1 even has VH1 Soul. So Big Props on the Forefront are in order for VH1 who has stepped their hip hop game up in a major way. Seriously I’m Proud. The went from being the station that only your parents watched to getting’ Hip. But ummm…there just needs to be something about F’n Flava of Love and I Love New York. Those shows suck bad. But the music director’s selection is good and I heard the Flava Flav roast was excellent as well. Word that’s all I got. Long Live Real Hip Hop. Peace To VH1 and The Roots. Because they know how to Throw it down LIVE.
Peace Peace Y'all.
4 LOVE!!!!
2 LOVE!!
1 LOVE!
...and Cut!
Warrentertainment 2007©
One More Time chillin' w/ Jarrod Gorbel of The Honorary Title
Then I see my The Honorary Homegirl Amanda and Her Homegirl Christine (who I'm pretty sure she caught me staring at her Breasts at least 2 times) come through and I tell them to stay with me. So we catch up a bit talk about how we know absolutely nothing about Cartel and how we can't wait to see The Honorary Title!!!! Amanda's probably a Bigger Fan Than Me. No wait, she is.
So apparently every little teenage girl alive came through to see Cartel. Surprised? No I'm not. I just didn't think they were that big of a deal, but after their performance I guess I'm open to their Music. It doesn't suck. Cartel was alright. My Only problem was with…(yeah I'm about to go there) Fucking CARTEL FANS! Granted "some" of them were actually alright but there were fucking 13-16 year old scene kids fucking TALKING during The Honorary Title's Performance. Like, who the Fuck Does That?! You wanna talk? Take your ass to the Back of the Venue and talk until your gumbs bleed for all I care. I came to see THT and that's it F' The Rest.
But it turned out the opening act Weatherbox was alright. I actually liked THEM better than Cartel. They were Really Really Good for openers.
But the Honorary Title's Set was Great. They did mostly material off the new album SCREAM & LIGHT UP THE SKY joints like "Stay Away" and "Untouched & Intact". But they didn't forget their Anything Else But The Truth Fans. They did (my personal THT favorite "Bridge & Tunnel", the title track "Anything Else But The Truth" "Points Underneath" and "Cats In Heat". Seeing these dudes perform was Aces for me, but what was even better was seeing them after their Performance. Amanda, Christine, and I saw Adam the Drummer for the Honorary Title and we went up to go speak with him. He's a pretty cool guy. So he's says hey I think I've seen you on youtube and I'm like "Oh" "You Did?" and I'm like "Yeah The Honorary Stalker"…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRjTMF2m7u8
and he was telling me how he thought it was funny and how I should've just went up and talked to him. So I was like well shoot if Adam saw Jarrod definitely saw it. In my mind I'm like "Oh crap", but I know it's all good. So we get our pictures with Adam and he says he'll see if he could get Jarrod down for us.
In between us going to check out Cartel (they really aren't that bad) and waiting Amanda points to Jarrod standing in the doorway. I lead off and start heading to the other side of the entrance with Amanda and Christine following right behind me, as to not give the impression of a "stalker" all the while…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq1ybCtxhlg
So anyways Amanda is somewhat freaking out just a tad, going crazy and trying to get herself together hardcore, while me and Christine are trying to make her comfortable and cool. It was so Bonkers and it really felt like almost forever. Jarrod saw Amanda and he waited for her while dealing with other fans.
Finally we get closer to Jarrod and Amanda's like "Go First" and
I'm like "Okay" and I walk up to Jarrod and I just converse with him. I told him that his performance was banging and I was glad to see THT still maintaining and doing there thing. We chatted about a few things then I brought up My "Honorary Stalker" Video. He gave in a chuckle and he was like "Yeah I saw it" "I watch a lot of YouTube Videos, Why didn't you just come up and talk to me? We're not that famous yet". (BTW Yeah, Right Jarrod Tell That To Warner Brothers) Okay if you see in the video, he's talking to someone sitting in front of the Mercury Lounge on the chair, That's My Homegirl Amanda. So I simply told him I saw him talking on to someone so I thought it would be rude for me to interrupt their conversation, plus my friend (Karla who I Shouted Out on The Tape) said I should take some video. Plus, I wasn't going to interrupt her talking to him when she doesn't see him everyday like that. I didn't tell him that but you know the deal.
Anywho I got to share with him my appreciation for his music performance and I told him that I absolutely loved the song "Bridge & Tunnel" and that I listen to it all the time when I'm riding the Q-Train across the Bridge home. That brought a smile to his face and it warmed my heart to see that reaction from him. I told him "Thank You" and gave him a handshake with a Bro-Hug and he Thanked Me and asked me to come see them perform again. It was out of sight and I said "Sure, Take Care Jarrod" as I walked over to the side to let Amanda talk to him finally.
Amanda is such a big fan of Jarrod it's scary. It's cool to see the way he interacts with his fans and it's great to know that he really does care about them as he asked Amanda why she wasn't in the front row this time. Jarrod Gorbel is a cool dude though and The Honorary Title is one of the Illest Bands I've heard/met/talked with this year. For Real.
As Amanda, Christine, and I were about to make our way back into the Cartel concert, I felt like I should've apologized to Jarrod for The Honorary Stalker Thing. I mean it was definitely weird and I wouldn't want anybody just videotaping me without my knowledge so I walked up to Jarrod and asked him if I could apologize to him on camera for The Honorary Stalker Footage and this is what he had to say…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xr0MO_LkHE
What a cool guy…I think Amanda is still doing flips right now. Speaking of which, Happy Birthday Girl. I'm Glad You Got What You Wanted. Well another fun night has come to a close this is Warren S. Britt and I'm out. Be Safe, Listen To THE HONORARY TITLE and Spread Love Y'all! Peace Peace.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvMZE7Ra9Mg Please Support The Honorary Title Music!
www.myspace.com/thehonorarytitle Thank You!
Peace Peace Y'all.
4 LOVE!!!!
2 LOVE!!
1 LOVE!
...and Cut!
Warrentertainment 2007©
Everybody LOVES Chris…Gutierrez! Yeah I wrote his name again
...SUE ME! Seriously. Some of you already know where this is going...but whatev.
So I'm going through both the Stevie Wonder and Nina Simone Definitive Collections in MyTunes Folder and to close out a Spectacular Week in the state of New York I decided to pay my dude/Hero/Inspiration/Role Model/ (fill in the blank)/ homeboy Chris Gutierrez a nice clean cut visit while he rambled his mouth in my hometown of Brooklyn, New York (by the way if anybody wants this borough you really gotta get through now me…bottom line…it's not an official trip if Warren S. Britt ain't in the mix, and I can say that with confidence because I know in my heart shit I'm right HaHa, so go play around with the other boroughs Tricks)
So anywho I personally invited my homegirl Gena McGhee Aka THE OFFICIAL Ms. Nutz4Nutz (Yikkle-Dee) to come along for the ride because honestly, I felt out of all my friends she probably would've been the best one to understand him, his story, and what he stood for as a human being. And through letting her in world, I feel as though she knows me a little bit better because of actually seeing this man who I go on and, on and, on about in my journal in action today. It was a beautiful complete moment in my life. Thank You Very Much Gena for sharing it with me.
So Chris came out to the Vox Pop tonight and he talked about some of the experiences from his book delving in the origin of We are The Dirt Poets and telling the story We Are Unbreakable about his Chicago Marathon and the lengths in which he had to battle not falling flat on his face and getting pummeled by people who won't stop running just because you did regardless of what made you fall. That's the thing. You can compare this dudes stories to how many people carry on throughout life. New York is so that fucking race where "almost" nobody is going to stop and help you if you fall flat on your face and die. It's like have you ever seen the movie Joe's Apartment ?(you remember the movie from like the eaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarly 90's where the Cockroaches were trying to take over Joe's House when he just moved to NY? No? Well Google it, Dang!) that scene in Joe's Apartment where the guy was pretending to be dead in the middle of the street and nobody even checked to see if he was alive but Joe being the out-of-towner that he was touched the man and asked if he was alright…then the man jumps up because finally someone was concerned about him and he says something like '2 Days Thanks Bud' or whatever. If you read We Are Unbreakable from Chris's Book A LIFE DELIBERATE, That's The Damn City of NY. THIS IS THE MARATHON. You've really gotta be on you P's and Q's to make it in life (but I'm sure that's common sense). Thank Goodness Chris Made It. I mean the man stepped out of his comfort zone and did something people believed he couldn't do. Part of the reason I admire this dude. He speaks in a way that brings clarity and simplifies situations. At times I find myself getting too deep for no reason. I don't know that's just stuff I have to work on for serious.
But yeah man I just got a chance to kick it with a legend and some of his associates. I got to meet Heather Ferrari who's responsible for keeping Chris up on his responsibilities in a major. Dude I got to meet Chris's bangin' ass GF who was holding it down, and helping him out with the profits on the merchandise. That's pretty cool she helps him out at all his speakings and whatnot. Seriously I know girls that would leave their Boyfriends and for that matter their husbands at the drop of a dime if their boyfriends decided to quit their job and follow their dreams full-time. But it's not like Chris is like staying home just saying "Oh I'ma Be a Rapper and nothing else" Nah he's actually doing stuff with his time while unemployed. That's a question I meant to ask him. What happens if the people stop showing up? And the Ideas for Merchandise fades away? And With the public being so fickle…you gotta wonder what happens if it's just you showing up at these? Hopefully that never happens with Chris. I'm pretty sure he'll have enough crazy stories for years to come that'll keep us laughing at all his embarrassing moments, enlighten us with all of his misfortunes, and give us hope with all of his victories. Keep taking L's Chris, Keep Taking L's Hahaha. Na just playing.
But as I walked up to Chris tonight after his speaking and he was like "This Dude again, Thanks for coming back" and he was explaining to me that you see people coming to visit and you wonder what type of job you did and what type of affect you had on them and how it's always cool to see people comeback because that solidifies the afterthought and affirms that you did something positive your last visit that kept the people coming back for real. So we had a cool convo about this trip into town what I thought about this meeting. I told him it was good but there seemed to be a bar set from the last visit. It felt almost as good but nothing could compare to the first time. But to be honest the only thing was I felt it was real quick. I told him it seemed like he was up there for a short time. But whatever maybe that's me being greedy or something. Just wanting me to keep my hero in Bucktown for a little bit longer. I mean it seemed like he went through a lot more stories before. I was almost scared to tell him that it seemed like he wasn't up here long enough, but I did and he appreciated it. In the mist of me being cool in front of Mr. Grenade Jumper Himself and such, I also gave him a present. I knew how much of a Tupac fan he was and I know how much Tupac means to me. So I gave him one of my Old School Black 2Pac T-Shirts which is probably too freakin Notoriously B.I.G for him. But he seemed Real Happy to have it and he gave me a big hug after looking at it. It was really cool to see my one of my heroes geeked about receiving a shirt with one of my other heroes on it because 2Pac is Still The Illest…3XL or not Heavy Aight. Word Up +1.
So anyways as I said my Goodbye and I thought I was heading on the Q Train. I remembered "Dammit I didn't Get A Picture" so I sent myself "speed walking" up Cortelyou Road back to Vox Pop and was lucky enough to see Chris Hadn't left yet. Then I asked Chris if I could get a picture with him and he's like Sure Man Let's Do This. Then his girl takes the picture and it came out cool. I mean it's not everyday that this dude is in Brooklyn so you want to make the most of it while you can. I appreciate Chris for making my home, his home and I can't wait for the next time. HaHa…maybe even two trips because some lady asked why doesn't he come to Long Island but let's be honest…In The World of Worlds There is no place as cool as Brooklyn. There probably…"probably I say" never will be. Sorry non-Brooklynites. I still gotta pay Chicago a visit though. I might make that a place to visit in 08-09 and don't worry my Canadian Brothers and Sisters I haven't forgotten about you folks.
But seriously BIG SHOUT OUT to Ms. Vicki I. (who has apparently started a FB Poke War that I will ultimately win and who I've messaged back and fourth for like two weeks now and on the day we finally meet I said about 4 in a half words to today (I know can somebody stop me from doing that please? It's not a great quality).As well as a BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG Shout Out to DeadxStop Intern Valerie whose in charge of The Christopher Gutierrez Facebook page and is now my new Legal Representative from now on people thank you. Naw but seriously shout out to ALL each and every one of the DeadxStop Interns Worldwide. It's good to know that Chris has a strong group of folks helping him spread his words and his kick ass message of growing up, blowing up, and never giving up.
To Gena: You are my Sister 4 Life Girl. I've always had the highest level of Respect for you. But you actually stepping into my light and making a cool dream of mines come true. Well that takes the cake. Like for about a month now I visualized you sitting in Vox Pop watching and listening to my hero speak .Now is my time to actually express appreciation for you taking the time out to watch your little bro(nut)'s Hero speak. That means a lot to me and I'm not even sure if I can express that enough. But THANK YOU Gena. I LOVE YOU SIS!
P.S: Yeah I did think he was gonna talk more about boobs though. But if Masturbation during The History Channel isn't cool shit I don't know "what is?" I don't know, But I know this…I love you Gena! haha
Chris says in his blogs sometimes how he may never understand what some of us see in him. Me? I see Hope for myself. A Way Out. I see a person who is just like you and me. But he decided to make moves with his journey through life and put himself out there regardless of whatever anyone thought in the end. Not seeking approval, just doing stuff that he loved. And I'm still finding out more, and that's the thing about watching this dude. There's always more. Me, I just have to live & learn.
Thanks Chris. I know it seems belated but… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGYMgdyOsl0
Peace Peace Y'all.
4 LOVE!!!!
2 LOVE!!
1 LOVE!
...and Cut!
MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK Myspace Secret Show @ The Knitting Factory
I came right from Calvin's Comedy Show before 11:40pm. Spruced up with A Shower and some Secret Deodorant (because it's "Made For A Woman, but SRONG ENOUGH FOR A MAN!!!!!) Spent 30 Minutes looking over my wardrobe (which actually should've only took about 5 minutes) and was out of the door at around 3:00am and got to the Knitting Factory by 4:30am.
I got there and began to sit down on the step for what was supposed to be a 15 Hour wait to get in the Club. But I had at least time to see four folks Two Men (One Security Guard) and Two Ladies walking out to close the Club Down. So I move off the steps to steer clear out of their way. Then me and security guard start talking and I'm like "You here to see MCS Too?" and he's like "Dude your here for the show tonight? and I'm like "Yeah!" He's like "Your here early" and I break out my Cliché' "Early Bird Catches The Worm" phrase that I always say when I show up at an event early. Then his friend is like "Well dude what are we gonna do I promised my friends I'd be able to get them in" and the dude is like. Calm Down, as he looked at me and was like You were here first so you could go in first and I was like "Yeah that works." But then he told me I could leave and I was like... "Leave". Then he assured me that when the show started at 6:30pm he would let me go to the front of the line. So i'm like, well all of that is cool but what am I gonna do for the rest of the day until 7:00pm? So that was my only issue. Other than that I was "good money" ( I know you haven't heard that in awhile).
So with that being said I decided that I would set myself in front of my 2nd Home Union Squre Virgin Megastore and anxiously await the new Motion City Soundtrack Record EVEN IF IT KILLS Me! For about 3 Hours or so. Virgin can be such a female dog about their open @ 9:00am policy. Virgin I Hate That I Love You.
Anyways, I went into the store and after a long 2 years of WAITING I finally held a brand new Motion City Soundtrack album that I purchased as an OFFICIAL Fan in my hand. It was an honor honestly. I was so happy to have this record and couldn't wait to throw it on MyTunes and MyPod. I was stoked as ever.So I cracked open the CD to see if at least any of the MCSF (Karla & Keila, Mikey B, Eddie or Myself) Crew made it inside of the album but unfortunately none of us made it. I was more like, Oh Well I'm glad I went to the photoshoot and got a chance to meet some of the coolest individuals ever. Seriously. Oh Yeah and meeting Motion City Soundtrack was a Blast Too HaHa!
But either way in a "well at least we went for it" attitude. I headed straight back to the Knitting Factory to go wait some more and see how long the line had gotten. It was 9:30am and there were like 3 people there ,which was odd to me, but I did calculate that the average MCS fan would probably be in school until about 1PM then make their way out and be there by 2PM or 1:30 if they were in Manhattan depending on the Transit Situation. So we sat out there for a good hour until they gave us wristbands but then they told us to leave because they didn't want any type of problems, drama, etc with other businesses in the area so we did.
I went home to get lunch and get a little sleep in between playing phone tag with Karla to try and get her to the show from Upstate. So I went home and put EVEN IF IT KILLS ME on MyPod and just cooled out, relaxed, and listened to the album. Just the Best Rock Album I've heard this whole year. The only other that gives it competition in my eyes is TAI's SANTI. Pretty much a good dose of Punk Pop Rock and it's so addictive. So after putting EIIKM's "Points of Extinction" on repeat for a good hour or so. I went up on my way back to The Knitting Factory, only to sit outside on a bench for a couple of hours with occasional walks around Chinatown as well as bumping into my fellow MCS Comrade Krista who was walking with her friend Trisha. But goodness, gracious one of the highlights of my afternoon and even more proof that Justin is Too Cool for words…
Okay, He's walking down Broadway in New York City. I just so happen to be standing on the same side of the block that he was. I'm like "That's Justin Walking Up the Block." He's walking around New York City looking borderline nervous yet like he knows NYC very well, and maybe he does but I just thought it was amusing. So he's coming closer to me and I Extend My hand and say "Hey Justin" awaiting a Soul Five. But we're stuck in between people and he can't reach in between the people to just give me a five...so I pulled my hand back and said "Naw it's alright man, Thanks Anyways Justin" because he looked like he needed to get wherever he was going. He waits for the people to move and he walks up to me and he's like "I'm not gonna leave you hanging Bro." Then he gave me a five and a Bro Hug and I said "Thanks Justin" That Made My Day and Justin Is Definitely Up There with The Coolest Musicians I've Met This Year. Seriously.
So anyways it's getting closer to showtime so I hit up the Knitting Factory again for final. I'm standing on line, chilling with some MCS fans like myself. In the middle of calling Karla and having to be the bearer of bad news concerning no more wristbands to get in the show, I noticed I see the same people at almost every show I go to now. There was this really tall girl by the name of Junelle who I realized I saw at the FOB Today Show performance back in July, She had a friend by the name of Indiana who said she was at the same FOB show and whatnot. There was also another girl by the name of Christy who is really good friends with Justin and his Ex-Girlfriend. I mean, she goes out to lunches with him when he's in the NY Area and stuff.
She's also apparently his Eyeglasses Strap Retriever or something because while we were on line Justin just hops in front of me and ask me if I have a Strap so he can hold his Glasses. I'm like "Naw Man Sorry" Meanwhile on the other side of my brain, I'm just trying to play cool, but then Junelle told Justin "I Love Your Words" and I lost it and started trying to talk about how good "Point Of Extinction" Meanwhile Christy was on the phone and she was trying to get her Father to find a place that sold Glasses Straps and such. Her father ended going all the way to the Upper East Side looking for those Glasses Straps but it was too late and the performance was already on the way.
Oh and girls are a bit catty. Junelle's friends and another set of girls were going back and fourth talking about how they were going to elbow those heffas if they tried to cut the line and go first lol I sided with Junelle because we were indeed the first ones along with Christy. But my Security Guard friend who assured me that I would be getting in first stayed True to his word and let me in first. Now that I think about they treated me extremely well that whole day joking around telling the girls in the line "Do You Know Who This Is?!?!!? This Is Warren!" It was funny. Then My Motion City Soundtrack Family Brother Eddie finally made his way on line and then I'm calm because I was worried he wasn't gonna be able to get in at all.
Anyways so SG homie tapped my shoulder and said alright "Go Ahead Man" and almost in the blink of an eye I felt hooves on my back. In my mind "I'm like dammit they're gonna trample me over" So I stop and play scream like "No Don't Kill Me" but they might just have been trying to. Anyways We ALL Run into the knitting Factory Excited and Crazy. But I'm getting crushed in between Christy and some other girl in a David Wright Mets Jersey and I'm thinking will I make it through this episode?
So yeah up first was a band called The EONS and they were pretty good. I just didn't feel like hearing them at the moment because I was amped for MCS but EONS is a good band and at least I got to see them perform. The next opener (you see that might be my only gripe with MCS shows….TOO MANY OPENERS, and they have more than enough songs in their catalogue to whiplash those first 2 Hours as well. I just wanna see MCS but …) was a group called FAREWELL www.myspace.com/Farewell and they were actually good for the wait. I ended up buying a CD from the Guitarist after their performance and they were just outside like Unsigned Rappers in front of Virgin Megastore with CDs pedaling them joints.
Say Hello To...Farewell
But at any cost finally MCS came out and Blessed The City of New York Starting it Up with "Fell In Love Without You" off of EVEN IF IT KILLS ME.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgfPci4h0n8
After That They Jumped into "My Favorite Accident!" Killer!
Then I'm glad they did the song that Properly Introduced me to the world of Motion City Soundtrack "Everything Is Alright" (Thank You again Jessica from MTV's Laguna Beach)
I mean here's the rest of the play list…
"It Had To Be You"
"Capital H"
"This Is For Real"
"Better Open The Door"
"Time Turned Fragile"
"L.G Fuad"
"Points Of Extinction"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nl6-XjiVuiw
"Make Out Kids"
"Broken Heart"
"Antonia"
"Hold Me Down"
and "Throwdown"
then they acted like they were leaving but they weren't fooling anybody because we all knew what was coming next. They jumped into
"Attractive Today"
and of course…
"The Future Freaks Me Out"
The Perfect End To a Perfect Night. As The performance ended me and Eddie collected our thoughts as we grabbed our MCS Concert Posters and hit the front door. We were gonna go flirt with some girls and stuff, but we waited too long. Plus it was late, late, late and we all had to live in the morning and such and such.
Speaking of which I'm gonna get this off my chest because Eddie knows. Girls in there were tripping. I'm sure I made some new enemies from these concert experiences and all that stuff, comes with the territory. Some girls were just looking at me with disgust and anger as I glossed over myself being right there in the front of the Madness. But One girl was str8 trippin'. Alright she wanted to get a good spot so that she could get Pictures of the band and what have you. That's cool, she asked if she could stand next to me and there's no prob whatsoever. She was drunk or something though… and she left by my side and asked me to hold her spot. I'm like "Um Okay" in my mind I'm like "Yeah Right Good Luck getting back you just lost your damn spot to some other chick. So she comes back and then She grabs my backside now I'm like "Hey!" this isn't the place nor time see me afterwards or something. So she's like rubbing up and down my leg and I would love to enjoy it but seriously I'd rather enjoy something I can't have more often like this MCS performance please. She was a trip it got to the point where I was just like you know what? Here just get in front and then she thanked me and kissed me on the cheek (really I've been kissed on the cheek by too many people this year it's scary) But I mean all y'all girls at these concerts, y'all need to get to get y'all acts together because some of y'all are messing it up for the rest of them and it isn't fair to the respectable and fun-loving women that come out to the shows just to watch the shows and stuff.
But off that note…
Yeah Me & Eddie rode the Train home and said our goodbyes. Yeah I have Eddie to thank for this whole experience because I don't go on Myspace like that anymore and this dude hit me up on Facebook and told me they were having a Myspace Secret Show @ The Knitting Factory. So Eddie Thanks A Bunch Man for outing onto this Flight Of MCS Happiness Man. Shout Out To my Motion City Soundtrack Family don't wory peeps, we'll get it together by November 9th. I Love You All! I Love it! I LOVE MY LIFE!
...and I'm Serious you haven't at least checked out this band I urge you to do so QUICK! Go out and get Motion City Soundtrack's EVEN IF IT KILLS ME and if you like that you'll naturally cop Commit This To Memory and I AM THE MOVIE. Thank You Much!
Once Again, Thank you, Eddie. You're The Man, Dude! Alright Ladies & Gents I am Out Out Out like Toes in Sandals. I hope all of you are enjoying yourself and spreading Knowledge, Peace, & Love to one another. I Love You All. Be Safe and Spread Love Y'all.
4 LOVE!!!!
2 LOVE!!
1 LOVE!
...and Cut!
The Day I Met Kanye West...Again (Redemption)
Before I start I just want to say I haven't slept in two days…well except for dozing off for about 30 or so minutes in the mailroom today. Why haven't I slept sinceSunday night/Monday Morning? Well…
I wanted to go see this dude KanYe West again and make sure we brought in his album on a good note. I wouldn't want it on my conscious that I was being a jerk to him because I didn't get a picture with him.
So after I came from Calvin's comedy show (that's another story nothing far fetched though more later) I ended up going home at about 2:00am staying for about an hour to take a shower and change my clothes to leave ad go to the Virgin Megastore by Union Square! The trains were so stupid though and I ended yp getting there by about 5:00AM. In which I put on my iPod and listened to some NaS's God Son and Illmatic because it was still feeling weird to listen to KanYe after our last non-verbal encounter (tish-tosh).
After MyPod switched to DiePod staus I talked a little bit with some cool Hip Hop Heads by the name of Joe, Larry, Charles and David. We just talked about Graduation, Kanye as an Artist and then of cours I threw in the casual…"Yeah you know I met Q-Tip here right" as that made way for me to talk about all my other encounters as of this year to all the way back with seeing Kweli 3 Years ago. Then we started pulling out our cameras and camcorders and filming each other for the beginning of an experience of a lifetime, well for them, I had already met KanYe.
So anyways we kill time and then I see an old friend from High School by the name of D who recognized me. Then I saw my other main homeboy from High School "Stretch". Then we started kicking it until it was time for us to purchase our CDS and receive our wristbands to see Kanye West at Virgin later that day. Man I was totally juiced when I walked in the store nd they were playing the music and all. Then I walked off line with my purchased Graduation album and met up with the rest of whom I call…
THE GRADUATING CLASS of 2007.
We all had to leave but we didn't want to part from one another as we just met but shoot I had to go to work and I was SUPER EARLY indeed as I left Virgin by 8:15 and got to work by 8:30am nice extra change in my pocket. (Oh Yeah for CY Corona team members I saw Loren Today He said "What Up?")
Anyways we took our pictures and said our Peace Peaces s we rode into the sun light…
As for work, well I slept for a little while in the comfortable ass chair. But people kept looking me in my Red Eyes all day and when you're trying to avoid eye contact it's seen as rude. But my eyes were so Red it's a wonder if those fools thought I was lighting the Ganja while at work.
But anyways enough about boring ass work.
I left the job at 6:00pm to get to Virgin Megastore at 7:00pm and as usual Kanye came 2 Hours late while a TOO ENERGETIC Déjà Vu from Power 105. I think that's my whole vice with the Ye experience. It's the Tardiness. But let him tell it I should be thankful for his lateness. Anyways Kanye finally Showed up at around 8:45pm (45 minutes late) and he got right up there and handled his business sining autographs. Automatically canceling out the idea of takin a picture with Kanye I opted to appreciate just seeing him in person again and enjoy my 2nd Autograph by Kanyeeze.
This time it was way different I was way in the back so I had to wait but the line was rapidly moving so it was no sweat. All the sudden I notice I'm by the table and his bodyguard takes the CD Case and I order him "I Want This Page!" in a wanna be Kanye-esque manner…it didn't come together as I thought, he completely ignored me.
But never the less I stood in front of Kanye once again, this time ALL SMILES as he looked in my face handed my the CD, shook my hand and I said "Thank You Kanye" as his bodyguards hurried to rush me away from the scene and I stepped off the stage.I walked outside pleased and feeling alright. Way better than the first time. As I see a sea of angry folks bad mouthing Knye almost the same way I did when I first meeting. But not everyone was angry a lot of people were very very happy and fulfilled as well. But it did seem like there were a lot of people who were saying "he's so made up" and stuff like that. I'm just glad I learned from last Thursday's experience or else I'm pretty sure I would've been mouthing off the same way.
But the look in his face the first time did seem a lot more genuine and heartfelt than tonight with his shades on.
But I don't know, maybe I'm thinking to hard. I appreciate Kanye West an I'm glad I got a chance to meet him not once but Twice. He's… He's definitely something else.
Everybody go out and cop his new album GRADUATION in music stores now . And don't buy it because 50's album is out. Please just Cop it for the love of GOOD MUSIC.
Speaking of which…Shout Out to the GYM CLASS HEROES Dammit!!! I told you they were awesome before MTV knew it so please remember that and cop their Two albums AS CRUEL AS SCHOOL CHILDREN and their 2004 work of art THE PAPERCUT CHRONICLES!
That's It For Tonight I'm going to get some well deserved rest. Warren iz um… zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Peace Peace Y'all.
4 LOVE!!!!
2 LOVE!!
1 LOVE!
...and Cut!
Warrentertainment 2007©
The Day I Met Kanye West
***Yeah so for the Buzznet Universe My Name Is Warren Britt...I'm pretty much gonna use this thingy to post stories about concerts, musicians, and my some of my experiences and other things of that nature so um have fun and take care...Peace***
The Day I Met Kanye West
Since bumping into Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest and being Quick enough to think on my toes and take a picture with A Hip Hop Legend who I may quite possibly never see again in person for the rest of my life @ the Virgin Megastore, back in February of this year, I’ve seriously taken myself on all out quests to get photos with some of my favorite Music Personalities/Entertainers in the game today. Though my track record will never be as grand as my MCSF sisters Karla & Keila as they have managed to damn near become relatives with the musicians that they’ve met. Me on the other hand from bumping into Q-Tip as mentioned bumping into Steele from Smif N Wessun at a Marshalls I don’t find the Underground Hip Hop Scene. It always manages to find me, and I just ask for the picture.
But now I apply “trying” into the mix which kind of ruins the spontaneous chemistry that natural human beings can share with these somewhat illustrious people who share the same Earth, Air, and ways of living as us. I speak for myself when I say do openly make the mistake of magnifying some of these folks within my idea of who they are, taking them from a normal human to at times that of some Supernatural Species (Or something like that). Almost anyone who grew up with me can attest this through my apprecition for Tupac Shakur while growing up in my childhood.
But now I’m 23...
I took myself up 51st and 6th Avenue to the FYE store prepared to meet one of my musical heroes. He goes by the name of Kanye West.
I got there by about 4:30am to find 5 more people ahead of me Blankets and all. They had been staying out there falling in-and-out of sleep since the time I had gotten up from my comfortable bed at about 1:30am. So I got a chance to kick it with them for about an hour. Then more folks started coming around the 5:30am to 6:00am time frame as my knees get weary the girl by the name if Cass ask me to sit in the chair because I look tired after about refusing 2 times in that hour I closed my mouth and gave into the temptation of the seat.
Anyways the In-Store was supposed to start at around 10am, enough time for me to get my pre-order for Kanye’s new record and Get my little Graduation Diploma that Kanye was giving out to everybody.
We all made small talk and I even bumped into Fresh Air Fund Camp Hidden Valley 2006 Alumni Marcus “FLAVA FLAV” Brunnie as we chatted about our developments since camp and stuff. He was working as a Def Jam Street Team Member and holding the pickets for Kanye West’s GRADUATION Album. Other then that the Def Jam Street Team tried getting the crowd hype by asking us to sing the Chorus to “Can’t Tell Me Nothing“, while we were given Monster Energy Drink which supposedly contains extremely high levels of Caffeine. But um at the most they tried their best to distract us from the fact that I ended up waiting for a about 7 hours for Kanye West to make it before he finally showed up…Late. To his own signing. But it’s all politics and he was probably held up doing something else to promote his album.
So anyways when he gets there he is obviously in a hurry to get things started so they rush him into door and we are all just waiting to go in and see the man in the flesh…
http://youtube.com/watch?v=7iFhna6NxmwSo when they him in the doors and situated then they there’s a dude that alerts us that there will be absolutely no photography whatsoever. Automatically my heart drops and I’m like “What?” So I’m just standing there on line wondering what’s gonna happen next. The security tells us to come in the store and put our Cameras away and Bags to the side. So I do as told. Next thing I know I’m one person away from meeting the musical genius I’ve had so many arguments over. A dude who’s music I listen to at least once a day everyday. One of the most familiar voices in my iPod. Kanye West. But something wasn’t right. It just didn’t feel like a genuine moment. Everything @ that time felt so bounded and forced. Like there was absolutely no such thing as freedom. All eyes on you as you walk up to greet a dude you truly admire and look up to on the music tip. I saw him Autograph my Diploma. Then I saw the dude before me walk away from the table. I’m thinking to myself “he signed the thing for me before I even got up there.” Then I walked up to him. I looked Kanye in his face. We both extended arms and shook each others hand. And to be honest I don’t even remember either of us saying “Hello”. As soon as I pulled my hand back I picked up the GRADUATION DIPLOMA POSTER looked him in his face as he seemed to be ready to hear me speak. I turned around, and I walked away.
I walked away feeling a bit angry, a bit displeased, and somewhat disappointed. I walked with the Autographed Diploma in hand towards a security guard and asked him “if could I get my bag?” He let me get my bag and I walked out of FYE. “Well that was it” “That was it?” “That was me meeting Kanye West?” That was my very first experience meeting Mr. Diamonds In Sierra Leone?”. Mr. “All Falls Down?” Mr. “Two Words?”
I walked away feeling very sad, angry, and frustrated that I actually woke up at 1:30am in the morning to see one of my favorite musicians and entertainers and him say that I just couldn’t take a picture with him. I think the anger consumed in me so much from the understanding that at In-Stores it’s up to the Artist whether or not they chose to be filmed or photographed with there fans. I thought back to the Talib Kweli In-Store back in 2004 @ the Union Square Virgin Megastore and how me, Brian, Zay, and Lee were standing there entertained as Kweli performed for us, Signed Autographs for us, had special guest appear with him (Common)… and he took pictures with us that night. We were all so geeked and couldn’t wait to get the pictures developed.
I though about that moment. I thought about how I had already seen Kweli perform about a month prior to that in store appearance in 2004 over the summer and we spoke and how I greeted him with the Livest Five and Bro Hug when I saw him that second time @ Virgin.
Then I thought about Kanye. I thought about certain lyrics “Why You Think Me and Dame Cool? we Assholes” Stuff like that. I was just like…”that’s it?”
I went to work and I was pissed as I was already an hour and a half late. I was just sad and Felix, Jermaine, and Rob could see it on my face. Rob snapping with a “See 50 would’ve taken a picture with you!” Felix was like “You that disappointed over Kanye?”
Then I started thinking about lyrics again. Talib said “Taking pictures with Stars it got him open, but after their little hopes and dreams get broken, me and Hi-Tek we live long and prosper like Vulcans”
Then I’m thinking am I putting to much energy into this? Yeah I admire these lyricists and musicians but is it really that deep Warren?
It’s funny because I didn’t trip this hard when the same thing happened with Common in early August. But this time it hit me hard. At work I might’ve put in about 2 Hours altogether from an 8 hour work day and During the course of the day numerous emotions came over me leading me up to this point now. I was mad at Kanye, then I was mad at myself.
In conclusion, what I’ve narrowed it down to is I needed to calm down. Yeah it’s good to have a plan and think optimistic towards your goal (which mine in this case was to take a fucking picture haha how ridiculous that looks in print when you think about it). But you need a back up plan holmes. Everything isn’t going go the way you planned it all the time. Another thing I noticed was tht I was spoiled. When it comes to these entertainers I’m used to getting what I want. Be it a picture, a conversation, or whatever. But going back to what was stated before doesn’t go as planned and I’ve just re-learned that lesson the hard way.
I have no right to be mad @ Kanye, because in the end Kanye’s doing his job! And I’m just another face in the crowd. What I should’ve done was talked to him. Say Hi and the usual stuf that I say to these dude “Yo I appreciate your Work Blah, Blah, Blah!” I mean seriously there is a reason for everything that goes on out there. I could’ve gotten the answer I was looking for if I had just thought about it. But I didn’t. My head is still kind of swirling from today to be honest. ‘m swimming in a lake of disbelief. But I‘m gonna work on this for next time. Next time I see Kanye I‘ma say exactly what‘s on my mind at the time. Picture or no picture. Whatever I’m going to let Mr. West know what’s going on in my mind the next time I see him. I almost feel like apologizing but I’m sure he’ll be on to other shit and would’ve most definitely forgotten about this by now…without a doubt.
But I’m a bit over it now, even though Kanye’s music sounds REAL REAL Different to me as the day passes, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to listen to his music the same way until I clear this up with him as well as for the sake of my own mental health. Or maybe I’m putting too much into it? IDK but this day has had it’s ups and downs at least I could’ve said “SOMETHING” to Kanye. But with him looking up at me in his chair behind the table as I turned my back to exit from his vision, I guess he just figured I can’t tell Him Nothing!
Til next time Mr. West...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5Ojx_t99eII
Peace Peace Y'all.
4 LOVE!!!!
2 LOVE!!
1 LOVE!
...and Cut!
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