HM: 1,000,000+ Hits and A Million Thanks!

 

So over the past few days, the contributors here at HM have been trying to figure out what to do to commemorate 1,000,000 hits to the site. We never really did settle on any one idea…so as usual I’m just going to speak from the heart.

Reaching the 1,000,000 mark is something that I am so immensely proud about. Since November of last year…I’ve put so much heart and thought into HM. This site is like my baby and I absolutely love writing and sharing my thoughts with the loyal readers. Just about everyday I ask friends or family, “did you see what I wrote today” and solicit their opinions about the topics. You guys might also be surprised by just how much I enjoy the comments that are left on the site. If it’s something I like, of course it puts a smile on my face…and if it’s something I don’t like of course I’m like “can you believe this person said that” lol…but either way I still take note and get a kick out of everything said on the site. 

It’s kind of funny, because the thing that sparked my interest in writing for the site is my love for Bobby Valentino and wanting to stop thehonorable from dogging him out in his reviews lol. Thehonorable (who I of course don’t call that since I actually know his top secret name lol) and I are co-workers and we would almost always disagree on music and just about every other form of entertainment. So…one day he just put me as a contributor so I could put my money where my mouth is. When I first started writing I was sooo scared to just bluntly speak my opinion (imagine that lol)…but over time it became more and more effortless and the rest is history.  Meeting Thesis (who I actually do call Thesis even though I know his real name lol) on Labor Day was another highlight in my HM history.

I don’t know if it’s possible for anyone to know just how much HM means to us…and how much we appreciate the continued support. We hope that in HM you all have found a place that isn’t just a dumping ground for new music and videos…but a place with intelligent discourse and a sense of community. With everything we do for the site…our goal is to do it with honor. So…to close out…I just want to take the opportunity to give my sincerest thanks to all of the HM readers who continue to make this site worth maintaining. I would be remiss if I didn’t give thanks to both thehonorable and Thesis. Thesis…I always look forward to what you’re going to write, since you are the most unpredictable one out of the three of us. The site wouldn’t be the same without your NY swagger. Thehonorable…you are one of my best friends, you’re brilliant, and you’re wonderful. I have to give you so much thanks for allowing me to become part of this great site and letting me do what I want!

Until the next 1,000,000…
 

Posted by Reecie

Welcome to the Good Life!

So this weekend I took a mini vacay to the east coast to visit my family and while I was there I had the opportunity to finally meet Thesis (who happens to live in the same city as my fam…small world!). Since I consider that HM history I had throw up a little pic of our meeting. I got the chance to meet Thesis’ wonderful girlfriend and Thesis was a celebrity among my family since a lot of them frequent the blog (shout out to my Mitchell Fam!). If only thehonorable was there instead of partying it up in DC it could’ve been a HM reunion…maybe next time! Anyways…I hope you all had a fantastic holiday weekend. Now it’s back to business as usual at the blog…and what better way to do that than to post my new favorite jam, Kanye West- The Good Life (the full monty…and you don’t have to feel bad about listening to it just because thehonorable wrote his post…just don’t download it lol).

Posted by Reecie

Artists That Speak For This Generation

In a recent conversation I had, I had brought up the fact that there were a select few mainstream artists that actually spoke for/to this generation.  Last week, I believe it was on VH1, there was a day long segment on the history of Motown and the affect its artists had on their generation from setting trends to speaking out on political issues of that day to being true innovators.  Individuals like Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Etta James, and older heads like Billie Holiday and her “Strange Fruit” come into mind as being musicians that not only spoke for their generation but spoke to it as well.

Fast forward about 40 years since the Motown days and we have artists such as T-Pain, Akon, & Co. that are commanding a lot of attention from their tracks but don’t, in my opinion, necessarily speak for the generation.  The potential list of artists that come under this vein of being true speakers of the generation can be somewhat subjective but I think it’s important to understand that just because an artist has a # 1 hit on the charts and everyone knows his/her hooks, doesn’t necessarily mean that they could be on that list. 

I’m interested in finding out who you guys believe are speakers of this generation.  Also, when you list the musicians, please give reasons why.  Being on such a list means that not only have you made it a point to perfect your craft as an artist, but that you make a conscientious attempt to be political or speak about pertinent issues that are affecting a mass of individuals.  Being on this list means that you’re going above and beyond your role as an artist to actually be a universal entity encompassing values and concerns that the “common” individual may have and broadcast such in a greater outlet.

I’d also like to hear your thoughts on why certain artists who have mass appeal do not get overly political but choose to stay comfortable in the “pop” lime light.  One individual that comes to my mind is Beyonce.  For all of the work that she has done to build her career in the music industry, and most recently, in retail, I feel that she’s one artist that has a tremendous amount of potential to really affect change. Personally one or two tracks on an album does not make someone a speaker for the generation.  It has to follow some kind of action.  I’m not saying that Beyonce or any similar-type artist need to start picketing outside Planned Parenthood or the White House lawn but there’s so much going on in the world and I wonder why such artists choose to be more vocal about material things than things that can actually help the people.

What are your thoughts on the latter and Who do you think should be on such a list?

~Thesis

Is It Mainly about Looks? Men Speak…

Source

The article speaks on a recent study conducted in Germany that surveyed men and women between the ages of 26 to early 40s about their tendencies and habits when choosing a mate.  The first step of the study had participants fill out a questionairre on what they were looking for in a mate while touching on factors such as attractiveness, wealth, morals, et. al.  After the questionairre was an accompanying “speed dating” session.  After  the “speed dating” session where participants had 3-6 minute intervals to interact with potential mates, the researchers of the study compared and contrasted the results of the questionairre and that of the actual speed date.

 What they found was that men’s initial responses to the questionairre were not congruent with their actions when choosing a mate during the speed date.  The study concluded that men went straight for the level of attractiveness in the female.  With respect to the women, like the men, their questionnairre results were not in alignment with their actions during the speed date.  However, women made further attempts to fine-tune their choices based on an over-all match and not solely on physical attractiveness. The study also concluded that women were aware that their “attractiveness” could yield a more favorable response from men and opted to choose men whose overall qualities aligned with their self-concept and their goals in the long-run. In a sense, women knew what they want and went for it and lower their standards. Men, on the other hand, were less choosy.

Some would find the results of this study pretty much in line with how society has labeled men and women today and “gender” roles today.  In sharing with you this specific study, I want to call out the men who frequent this blog to speak on what they find instricly important when “wooing,” “courting,” or “hollerin’” at a lady these days.  For you, at first instance, do you tend to sacrifice what’s really important to you in a mate for physical beauty or you staunch in your selection process? Feel free to speak on what is important to you in a mate and what you could do w/o.

It is always great to hear the women’s POV on said issue but I would like to see a lot of dudes comment as well.  Much luv!

~Thesis

Just Another Manic Monday!

It’s that day of the week again brothas and sistas!!!

So what did ya’ll do over the weekend? Any enticing stories to share or was it just another same ole’ same ole’

~Thesis

Freestyle Session @ HonorableMedia

Feel free to drop verses and/or poetry.  Feel free to call someone out and battle…

Enjoy!!!

~Thesis

Let’s Play: “If It Weren’t For ___” Game

Let’s play a lil game shall we. It’s called the “If it Weren’t For ___” Game. This game is supposed to show that if it weren’t for certain artists, some artists wouldn’t even be relevant or be signed at this point in time.  Let’s give credit to where it’s due and give cats back they steez from cats who flipped it and ran wit it!!!! This is not to shit on the newer artists, per se….This is just to give props to the older heads who influenced those that came after’em…

1. If it weren’t for Big Daddy Kane: Jay-Z would not have been killin’ it

2. If it weren’t for Big L: Papoose would not have been relevant

3. If it weren’t for Michael Jackson: Usher, Justin Timberlake, Omarion, et. al would not be relevant.

4. If it weren’t for Mary J. Blige: Keyshia Cole wouldn’t have been relevant!

5. If it weren’t for Jay-Z: T.I, Lil’Wayne, Everyone with the Prefix “Young,” Bleek, et. al would not be relevant

6. If it weren’t for Nate Dogg: Akon would not have had a style to run wit.

7. If it weren’t for Madonna: Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne, Alanis Morisette, et. al would not have had a style to run wit!

8. If it weren’t for Mase: Fabolous, Loon, Kanye would not have had a flow to run wit!

9. If it weren’t for Aaliyah: Ciara, Rhianna (maybe!!!) would not have had a style to run wit!

10. If it weren’t for T-Pain: nevamind!!!

The list is never ending…you get the drift…..you add on!!!

~Thesis

Ghostface @ Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival- 6/23/07

So i’m looking forward to heading back home to Brooklyn this weekend to spend some time with family.  Catching the Fung Wah bus (lmao….) outta Boston to Manhattan and headin ova to New Jerz to chill wit my sista and her husband. Sataday mornin, headin ova to BK to see the folks and HOPEFULLY use these VIP tickets i got reserved for me for the Festival.  Hopefully my mom doesn’t give me the puppy dog look when I tell her im out to the concert. lol…Anyway, whoever’s rollin, know that 1/3 of HM might be there takin pix and hopefully chillin wit Ghostface backstage…HOLLA!!!

~Thesis

Happy Birthday to the honorable!

 

We at HM want to  say Happy Birthday to the wonderful, the talented, the magnificent…the honorable! Feel free to leave a comment and show your love!

XBox 360- For The Gamer in You!

I wouldn’t really call myself a gamer, per se, but I, like many other Gen Y’ers (thought I was Gen X, but missed it by a couple years :-(. lol) who grew up on Atari and Nintendo and even Sega Genesis (yo, remember Street Fighter II- Special Champion Edition? still a classic game) I do, from time to time, indulge in a lil XBox 360.  Having recently traded in my original xbox and all my old games for the 360, I’m definitely pleased! Although I don’t have too many games, I do get at the Splinter Cell- Rogue Agent, Call of Duty 2, and Fight Night Round 3…Anyone cop that Spiderman 3 yet?

For the gamers and not so “gamer” folk, what game(s) are you currently indulging on on your 360? Any recommendations? Anyone plan to get the 360 Elite?

~Thesis