Dear Kanye West, Um... What Happened?

I listened to "All Falls Down" recently.

I think of the Kanye West of today, look at a pic of Kim Kardashian and get confused. As you may remember, the thought of them together had me bursting into laughter for weeks (click here for a refresher). Not because it was ludicrous but because it was perfect.

They really are perfect for each other.

 But that's because I forgot.

I forgot that before he got precious about fashion to the point of annoyance, before the VMAs, before he became a celebrity, Kanye was about the music and... the music was deep.

He was always a bit of a douche. Cocky and difficult. But no one would ever call him a loser.

Now, well... He's quickly turning into a bit of a loser, right? Like the type of celeb that you just dismiss because rolling your eyes at his antics takes up too much energy.

How sad that he's now someone who I think is perfect for Kim Kardashian.

Ugh, I really hate that I feel this way.

Subway Playlist: Working Out Sucks So Bad But Music Makes iIt Beter.

I'm trying to lose weight. I don't want to get into it. It just makes me mad.

I hate watching what I eat. I just want to be able to eat something I like until I'm full.

I hate working out. I hate sweating. I hate it when my heart rate increases. I hate floor exercises, stomach exercises and squats. I hate sweating (it needed to be mentioned twice).

Let's not even begin to discuss what working out has done to my hair. Frizzy, kinky roots are not something I can make work.

But I monitor what I eat and I work out anyway. I fucking hate it but I do it and I'll continue to do it because if I don't I'll gain weight and make it easier for life to screw me and give me diabetes, cancer, high-blood pressure etc.

Anywho, this playlist rocks my world and helps me forget about the sweat:

Calvin Harris - Feel So Close

Metric - Dead Disco

Metric - Monster Hospital

Alex Clare - Too Close

Metric - Help I'm Alive

Beyonce - Get me Bodied

Beyonce - Diva

Shakira - La Tortura

Shakira - Loca

Beyonce - Green Light

Taylor Swift - We Are Never Getting Back Together

Pitbull - Hey Baby

The songs aren't exactly new but they help me get revved up enough to keep on going.

I run up and down a flight of stairs for the 44 mins of this playlist, visualizing myself driving my dream car, dancing up a storm in a Parisian nightclub, having a blast at my book release party, hanging out with my friends in Orlando, NY, and Antigua, salsa dancing in Miami in a sexy orangey-pink dress.

I get super-specific with my daydreams.

I'm Embarrassed For Justin Bieber

This is late but I still laugh out loud when I see this video and I thought I'd share my thoughts on it and risk the rage of Beliebers everywhere.

This is the first time I've truly experienced fontrum, a term Lainey is fond of, for someone. And it's not the Bieber of today I'm embarrassed for. He's a millionaire with a hot girlfriend and a million girls who'd happily take her place. He does not need my pity.


But 25 year old Bieber... is going to shudder when he watches "As Long As You Love Me". Because it's just so extra. The sexy pouty face, the frolicking with the video girlfriend, the dance sequence!!!

It's a narrative, why is there a dance sequence? Like why?

And I'm sorry but he doesn't need it. He's so talented. He's too good for this boy band shit.

Also, him getting his ass kicked so thoroughly by Michael Madsen is hilarious. They couldn't have him at least throw a punch or push him?

And one more thing, he should never get into acting. Ever.

Not Mandatory But Freaking Good: Ara by Brymo

So I'm totally that person who will listen to a new song, gush about that song and find out that "new song" was released two years ago.

Since I'm trying to transition into entertainment writing, I'm working on becoming the person who already listens to the music other people will be obsessing over in a year.

For now, I'm still that person gushing over that not so new song but for the sake of my non-Nigerian friends, I have to.

"Ara" by singer Brymo is currently my jam. I am LOVING this song and so is the rest of Lagos if the amount of times it's played on the radio, at parties, and on people's phones is any indication.

I actually discovered the original because of the remix (which is just as catchy in my opinion). Saeon was scheduled to perform during AMFW and I wanted to read up on her just in case I managed to snag an interview. I heard her version of "Ara" (which means Wonders) and fell in love.

"Ara" is Brymo's (real name Ashimi Olawale) first single under the label, Chocolate City and was released this past September.

Because I am a pathetic excuse for a Nigerian that doesn't know Yoruba, I have no idea what most of the lyrics actually mean. But no matter, it's still gooooood

Click here for the lyrics.

And here for Brymo's Wikipedia page.

Subway Playlist

• Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina - Stereo Love
• The Cataracs ft. Dev - Top of the World
• Sabi - Wild Heart
• Avicii - Levels AND Flo Rida - Good Feeling
• Karmin - Crash Your Party

Happy Weekend! Can you tell I want to go dancing?

Subway Playlist

• Rihanna - We Found Love 

That's it, the only song on my playlist because I've been listening to this song pretty much all day.

It's been a long time since I've been this obsessed with a music video. With pop, it's hard to get really deep (the lyrics often leave much to be desired) which is why music videos often elevate or sink a song. This video definitely elevated the song for me.

In response to the Chris Brown comparisons: Duh people.

Subway Playlist

• The Toadies - Possum Kingdom
• Duran Duran - Ordinary World
• Soul for Real - Candy Rain
• Wiz Khalifa - Say Yeah
• Passion Pit - Sleepyhead
• The Knife - Heartbeats

Subway Playlist

1. The Beatles - Revolution
2. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Runaway
3. Garbage - When I Grow Up
4. Mumford and Sons - Little Lion Man
5. Mariah Carey - Fantasy
6. The Buggles - Video Killed the Radio Star

Happy Friday everyone : )

Subway Playlist

1. Metric - Wet Blanket
2. Staind - Right Here
3. Colbie Caillet - I Never Told You
4. Bush - Warm Machine
5. Kate Nash – Mariella
6. Michael Jackson – Pretty Young Thing
   
7. Lionel Richie – All Night Long
8. Dave Matthews Band - Where Are You Going
9. Garbage – Sex Is Not The Enemy
10. The Temptations – Ain’t Too Proud To Beg
11. Bowling for Soup – Ohio (Come Back To Texas)

Beyonce Premieres New Video

Beyonce's "Run The World (Girls)" video was released from it's cage of fury last night.

It's not my favorite Beyonce song but I'll have fun working out to it.

The music video didn't rock my world but I still want to learn the choreography.

Shrug.

How do you guys feel about the song and video?

Subway Playlist: I Love The 90s!!!

I've been feeling a little nostalgic lately.

These songs may not have defined the 90s for you but they're some that left an impression on me. And it's my playlist so suck it. Besides a lot of these songs don't get love anymore. Show them some love!

1. Luscious Jackson - Naked Eye
   
2. Toad the Wet Sprocket - All I Want
3. Third Eye Blind - How’s it Going To Be and Semi Charmed Life and Graduate.
   
4. Tom Petty – Free Falling (Released in 1989 but discovered by me in 1997 because of this).
5. Coyote Shivers – Sugar High
6. Harvey Danger – Flagpole Sitta
7. Janet Jackson – Runaway
8. Eagle Eye Cherry – Save Tonight
9. Blink 182 – Dammit
10. Marcy Playground – Sex and Candy
11. Republica – Ready to Go
12. No Doubt – Spiderwebs
13. Blessid Union of Souls – Hey Leonardo
14. Soundgarden – Black Hole Sun
15. Nirvana - Lithium
    

AOL Axes Freelancers: Including Me.

So after six months, AOL has decided they no longer require my services. I could be wrong (or just comforting myself) but I think it has more to do with the AOL/Huffington Post merger than my abilities as a writer.

Either way, I’m out of a gig.

Let me tell you what I’d like to do: There’s a box of Oreos in my kitchen with my name all over it and I could really go for some Mocha Almond Fudge soy cream. I also wouldn’t mind spending the next few days watching reality television and not showering. And eating some chips and guacamole would be great too (just to break up the monotony of eating cookies and soy cream for breakfast, lunch and dinner).

But I’m not going to do that. While I’d love to bury the overwhelming feeling of rejection and failure in some junk food – and some wine – I refuse to gain weight before my trip to LOS ANGELES!

That’s right; I’m going to L.A.! I’m going to L.A.! I’m going to L.A.!

Humor me, I’ve never been before and I’m excited.

One of my very good friends has lived there for years now and the trip is long overdue. Sure, it sucks because I bought my ticket when I thought I still had a job but what are ya gonna do? It’s non-refundable.

*kanye shrug*

Anyway, in honor of my trip to the West Coast and since it's not like I have articles to write, I’m jamming to Tupac!

Anything I absolutely have to do while I'm in L.A.?

Subway Playlist: Dancing It Out.

1. Outkast - Roses
2. Looper - Mondo 77
3. Ratatat - Loud Pipes
   
4. Santigold - Lights Out
   
5. Mirah - The Garden
6. Fatboy Slim - Rockafeller Skank
7. Cypress Hill ft. Pitbull and Marc Anthony - Armada Latina
8. Ashlee Simpson - La La
9. Velvet Revolver - Slither
10. Lady Gaga - Born This Way
11. Keri Hilson - Turnin Me On
12. Shiny Toy Guns - Le Disko
13. Santigold - Creator
14. Pitbull ft. T Pain- Hey Baby (Drop it to the Floor)
    
15. Far East Movement - Like a G6
16. Rihanna - S&M
    

Dancing makes you brave!

Not Mandatory but Freaking Good: Santigold

Okay so this is old news by now but I don't really care. Raise your hand if you know who Santigold (formerly Santogold) is.

If you don't know who she is, that's okay. If it wasn't for Pandora.com, I wouldn't know who she was either.

I personally have never been one of those cool people who just have an ear for new music. My ass is still jamming to music from the 90s.

Anyway, Santigold is this amazing amazing AMAZING singer/songwriter who has been rocking my world since I moved to New York. Her sound is a little funky and most of her music will make you want to dance. But to be honest, I haven't heard a song I didn't like.

Bottom line, her music is gooooood.

I'm excited for her because she was recently signed to Jay-Z's Roc Nation management. Now Santigold has the opportunity to reach even more people with her music which is great because some of the music being released right now stinks worse than a diaper left out in the sun.

I can't wait to hear some new music from her but until then, check out SOME of my favorite Santigold songs.











It's that serious people.

The Pretty Reckless: Pretty Good.

I like to pride myself on being impartial. I try not to pass judgment if I don't know the whole story. If everyone says a movie sucks, I have to watch it before I can agree.

So you would think I'd actually listen to the band TPR's music before deciding I hate them. But I found lead singer Taylor Momsen so annoying in interviews, I didn't bother.

Well yesterday, I went to their website to listen to some songs. I loved all of them. It's not life-altering music but it's pretty good.

There I said it.

Check out The Pretty Reckless.

Subway Playlist: Back in NY

I spent most of my time in Nigeria talking to parents and with zero access to the internet so I didn't really listen to a lot of music which is unfortunate because I really wanted to do a Subway Playlist: Naija Style post.

Anyway, these are the songs that have been stuck in my head this week : )

1. "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked" Cage the Elephant
2. "Shattered" The Trucks
3. "Love, Save the Empty" Erin McCarley
4. "I'll Try Anything Once" The Strokes
5. "Down Boy" Yeah Yeah Yeahs
6. "Leader" Bif Naked
7. "Shut Your Mouth" Garbage
8. "Bathwater" No Doubt
   

Subway Playlist

1. Garbage – Metal Heart
2. Ratatat – Nostrand
3. Nelly Furtado – Turn off the Light
4. Third Eye Blind – Losing a Whole Year
5. No Doubt – Hella Good
6. Martha and the Vandellas – Nowhere to Run
7. Eric Clapton – Layla
8. Blessid Union of Souls – Hey Leonardo
9. Silversun Pickups – Kissing Families
10. Weezer – Island in the Sun
11. Metric – Glass Ceiling
12. Our Lady Peace – One Man Army

Quote It.

"It’s such a shame that all your favorite artists are so underground. That’s the hipster justification of failure … Everyone who could be a real rock star is just fucking scared.”

Kanye West to Rolling Stone staffers.

Well, that's one way of looking at it.

Subway Playlist: Covers I Love More than the Originals

• Rock Kills Kid - I Turn My Camera on (Originally Spoon)
  
• The Sundays - Wild Horses (Originally Rolling Stones)
  
• Bif Naked - Nothing Else Matters (Originally Metallica)
  
• Anya Marina - Whatever You Like (Originally TI)
  
• Dynamite Hack - Boyz N Da Hood (Originally E Eazy)
  

Subway Playlist: Songs That Changed My Life

Lovely Disco did a fun post on songs that changed her life so I compiled my own list.
Boy, that was hard! My list was originally 50+ so don't be surprised if I add to it in the future.

These are songs that had such an impact on me, I still remember the first time I heard them. Now I literally lose my shizz when these songs come on: the radio in a car, at the mall, or on the iPod of the person next to me. Theyhave the ability to take me to a different place and some of the songs introduced me to some of my now favorite artists.

Check it out and feel free to share your list with me. And remember Music = Love.

1. Aerosmith - Dream On
2. Weezer - Say It Ain't So
3. Metric- Dead Disco
4. Oasis - Wonderwall
5. Lady Gaga - Just Dance
6. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Gold Lion
7. Justin Timberlake - I Think She Knows
8. Michael Jackson - Beat It
9. Wheatus - Teenage Dirtbag
10. Harvey Danger - Flagpole Sitta
11. Alicia Keys - Unthinkable/ I'm Ready
12. Death Cab for Cutie - Soul Meets Body
13. Coyote Shivers - Sugar High
14. Madonna - Like a Prayer
15. Garbage: Cherry Lips
16. Cream - Sunshine of Your Love
17. Michelle Branch - Goodbye to You
18. Nerf Herder - Buffy Theme Song
19. Third Eye Blind - Semi Charmed Life
20. Soundgarden - Black Hole Sun

Honorable Mentions:

• Staind - Outside
• Beyonce - Get Me Bodied
• No Doubt - Underneath it All
• Jewel - You Were Meant For Me
• Nirvana - Lithium
• Paramore - Misery Business
• No Doubt - Spiderwebs
• Fiona Apple - Criminal