Ellington

This will probably be one of the most personal columns I've ever written. Hip-hop is at a crossroads.

For that matter, I'm at a crossroads. Because from here, both hip-hop and I have some choices to make. I've listened with great interest to everyone's comments, and I've joined in spirited debate on the JFP Web site and on my new blog there (cheap plug!). I can honestly say that I've reached the point in my life and career where I'm at that proverbial fork in the road.

Where I usually have the answers, I have none. Like hip-hop, if I expect to be around much longer and have any relevance whatsoever, I may have to choose a side. Sometimes, when you walk a thin line long enough, your depth perception can get blurred. So now I have to ask myself (and hip-hop), what are you "really" trying to do with yourself? Can you be all things to all people? Which lane do you prefer to travel in?

I know that God put us both here to do something special. We've never been "normal." We've always been creative. Ever since our infancy, folks have said we were destined to do great things. To be leaders. We've both struggled to make everyone happy, trying to assimilate in different worlds. And in doing so, we've gained much, but lost so much more. We've longed for the respect of our peers and lived for the adulation of our fans. We've hit marvelous highs and earth-shattering lows. We've taken true love, family, and friends and forsaken them for worldly things. We've been both generous and selfish to a fault. Can we be all things to all people?

Rapper Nas stated in his latest interview in XXL magazine that he's a walking contradiction—a cross between prophet, poet and pimp. The best and worst, all in one. And I guess that best describes me and hip-hop.

Am I the radical political agitator who railed against George W. Bush at Millsaps? Am I the mentor who talks to kids and fights for their futures? The philanthropist who reached out to victims of Katrina? Or am I the rapper who alludes to diamonds and candy paint, n!ggas and b!tches in my rhymes, all the while urging a raucous crowd to "bust somebody's head to the white meat"?

The fact is, I'm all of those things. Hip-hop is all those things.

There is a dichotomy that exists in every man, in every entity, and that's a problem that both me and hip-hop will have to deal with ... and soon. Can you be all things to all people? I just can't say for sure which way the tide will turn. I will always do "me," just as hip-hop will. Now, however, I listen a little more, think a little more and pray for guidance a lot more.

Because hip-hop and I are at a crossroads. And I don't know about hip-hop, but I've come too far to turn back, and I have too much more to say not to be heard.

And that's the truth ... sho-nuff

Previous Comments

ID

74163

Comment

...And we may even be having MORE discussions...digging deeper, expoloring other subjects along these lines on Kim's show. Feels like some odd therapy put out over th airwaves

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2006-12-20T19:06:36-06:00

ID

74164

Comment

Hey brother, the best art comes from self reflection, the roots of struggle are internal, then you externalize that energy. You have to dare to struggle (within yourself) to get to the point where you "dare to win". I just listened to samples of Nas's new album, "The Death of Hip Hop" and he is saying something relevant to the future of the genre. Last night on the Cavs game they talked about how respectful LeBron is of the greats who have come before him. It would help hip-hop if more young practicioners were aware of the roots like Grandmaster Flash, The Sugar Hill Gang, Gil Scott Heron and The Last Poets. Some may not even remember Public Enemy and "Self-destruction".

Author

FreeClif

Date

2006-12-21T16:44:01-06:00

ID

74165

Comment

Whit is right. If hip-hop could simply return to its roots, then its relevance and longevity will be guaranteed. I believe the time is here, and that rappers like Kamikaze will lead this new movement. And what better place for that movement to originate from than Mississippi, ground zero for the problems that got us to this place in our history and culture. I believe the kind of self-reflection that Kamikaze expresses here will really get not only black culture, but American culture, to higher ground. I applaud him.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-12-21T16:47:34-06:00

ID

74166

Comment

You know, I think the reflection is going to get a fan base you never expected. You'd be surprised how many struggle with a dichotomy. I think your words here speak to lots of men. Now I'm not a man, but I know for a fact that my husband struggles DAILY with what he has learned about women and the boy's club. Especially since his daughter was born, but more especially since he's been living with a loud-mouthed woman ;) He has a choice to make everyday too. And he has a family to feed, but he works in a male-dominated industry. We'd just like y'all to remember that your choices everyday are setting the stage your daughters, wives, mothers, etc. will live. But especially your daughters. You can be the groundbreakers or the same ol' same ol', and I happen to think we love the groundbreakers best. I won't even go into penis size with that. Good work. You made me cry.

Author

emilyb

Date

2006-12-21T16:55:32-06:00

ID

74167

Comment

I'd also like to say that the "haters" you face are the same "haters" women like me face. Seriously. Rush is railing us too :)

Author

emilyb

Date

2006-12-21T16:57:13-06:00

ID

74168

Comment

Kamikaze, Allow me to offer you a point of view that maybe you've missed. I agree with EmilyB, Donna and Whit. It's great that you've come to a place of self-reflection, assuming that you're an embryo in reaching this point. I applaud you for accepting the need for self reflection and growth. You know sometimes in life we must reach the bottom before the clouds will cease that interrupt your vision of the top. You have conquered many things in your young life. You've done MUCH for this city and you rap too. That's great. But how have you been treating the part of you that is not a philanthropist, a rapper, a political agitator, and a mentor. Maybe it's time for you to work on the part of you that is NONE of those things. The part of you that is only a man. I believe in you. I know that you can make the best of your situations. I know that you can use your skills to make BIG things happen for you. I encourage you to take some time off from your vigorous schedule. Look deep within who you are and find that thing that has kept you who you are all your life. That thing that is never compromised no matter if you're going at Bush, on the bloggers here on JFP. Something within is always there, it doesn't change hats as everything else probably does. That part of you will help you welcome that other side of the crossroad that you've finally recognized. Maybe you've concentrated for so long and so hard on others (including us fans) that you've lost your dedication to self. YOU CAN DO IT! U DA MAN!

Author

Queen601

Date

2006-12-21T17:14:12-06:00

ID

74169

Comment

Thanks all...don't crown me yet. LOL..HE'S still working on me.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2006-12-21T17:15:11-06:00

ID

74170

Comment

What does that mean, kaze?

Author

Queen601

Date

2006-12-21T17:17:17-06:00

ID

74171

Comment

We're not crowning you yet. But I'm of the belief, not to speak out of turn here, that HE often used women when he's doing his working. So going forward, when you want us to calm down, view us as instruments of God. But you know I also think God is man/woman anyway. Deut. tells us he did BIRTH the world and all ;)

Author

emilyb

Date

2006-12-21T17:19:24-06:00

ID

74172

Comment

LORD'S still working on me...:-)

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2006-12-21T17:21:27-06:00

ID

74173

Comment

I shy away from getting TOO religious or TOO introspective. Cuz i dont think any gospel rap is going to come out of this:-), BUT a little more responsibility. A little more listening WILL.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2006-12-21T17:23:48-06:00

ID

74174

Comment

check out the Book...Wisdom is often refered to as "she". I was in the Metropolitan musuem of Art a couple of years ago in the Egyptian section and there was a painting thousands of years old that depicted a very dark skinned woman with a globe appearing from out between her legs. It seemed that this symbolic of "their" vision of God giving birth to the world. The oldest remains of a human female are the ones found in east Africa so maybe it makes historical sense. In one of the songs on his last album, Common surmised that God might be a woman and rapped, "Would I be jealous if other brothers worshipped her?"

Author

FreeClif

Date

2006-12-21T17:26:49-06:00

ID

74175

Comment

You don't need to do gospel rap to rap the gospel, so to speak. ;-) Nice comments, Queen. You, too, Whit. I'm vaklempt at all this love!

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-12-21T17:30:05-06:00

ID

74176

Comment

Our vision may be limited by who we are OR who we perceive ourselves to be. At the risk of appearing ridiculous...Have we ever thought that God might sometimes be a father and at others a mother...maybe a son too...all rolled up into one?

Author

FreeClif

Date

2006-12-21T17:32:41-06:00

ID

74177

Comment

Hmmm, okay. Well, good luck Kaze, I'm sure whatever the plan is for you, will be a good one. And that's not a religious statement. Peace!

Author

Queen601

Date

2006-12-21T17:34:07-06:00

ID

74178

Comment

... or that God doesn't need a gender? That's simply human projection.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-12-21T17:36:45-06:00

ID

74179

Comment

Thanks Donna. I'm not real sure how the religious aspect came into play. But I will say that I have gone thru the "crossroads" of life on MANY occassions. And once a person gets to the point that they WELCOME growth, the crossroads tend to not have that much of an affect as it does when you reach that first one. You begin to recognize that which is ordering your growth when you've gone through it before. I was trying to offer some solace to this man who is clearly now accepting his responsibilities or at least acknowledging them and thus growing. I just thought that offering that could possibly help some. thanks again...

Author

Queen601

Date

2006-12-21T17:37:20-06:00

ID

74180

Comment

Ever considered that God can be you or me? OOOOHHHHH my goodness did she say that..... I don't think anyone has every met or seen God so..... If God can be all things to all people, then hey....what do us mere mortals know except what our consciousness and our spirit (be it a good spirit or a bad one) tells us. I know that's going to rub some of you the wrong way and I'm not even trying to get in a religious debate. But I just couldn't pass up that opportunity.

Author

Queen601

Date

2006-12-21T17:41:31-06:00

ID

74181

Comment

Kaze listen to Crossfire by Stevie Ray Vaughn. I like that song because it helped him overcome his drug problem and excessive partying ways. In that song he talks about being pulled 2 ways and not knowing which way to go. At some point you have to do what's best in the long run. The older you get the more you realize you need peace and happiness more than anything else.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-12-21T17:42:07-06:00

ID

74182

Comment

Queen, the whole crossroads and inviting growth reminds me of something I read not too long ago by a very fine woman I've gotten to know and love as a result of this discussion. I sure do wish that queen would post it here. I'm just saying. ;) It was very beautiful! And spoke to me about how to handle the fear that sometimes comes up at that crossroads moment. (I won't go Jesus anymore about my projections of other folks art...but what Queen wrote very much reminded me to be STRONG at that point of change.) I agree that you don't have to rap your gospel, but I think culturally for the SOUTH we do share in all over our music a projection of gender and a man/woman's roles/place. Maybe that's another discussion for another day. But WHIT, I don't think it's ridiculous even a little bit. Again, we'll ALL be surprised by God when we meet God.

Author

emilyb

Date

2006-12-21T17:50:38-06:00

ID

74183

Comment

I can identify with that Ray. The struggle for Peace guides me, post-40, a lot moreso than when I was 20, 30 and 35. I read a saying once that relates to a person going through stages of change. The poet was from India and I can't remember his name. It goes: May the evil man become good. May the good man find Peace. May he who finds Peace become free. May he who finds freedom, help others to become free. I am HOPING that I am working on the second phase now :-)

Author

FreeClif

Date

2006-12-21T17:51:29-06:00

ID

74184

Comment

Queen, that rubbed me the right way. Love it.

Author

emilyb

Date

2006-12-21T17:52:06-06:00

ID

74185

Comment

Religious debate!?! On this site!?! Never. ;-) I'll raise you this one: I don't like the idea of "religion," period—that is picking one umbrella to worship under, and rejecting all the other ones. That's fine for others, but I like to learn from and be inspired by spiritual leaders of various faiths. And that way, you avoid the dogma of certain religions—and the teachings that other ways to believe or be spiritual are wrong. Icky. To me, this approach takes more commitment, not less. For me, it also widens the spectrum of love. My Southern Baptist upbringing was all about what not to do, who was bad and wrong, even spreading hatred. It was pure judgement. That was backward, and most people around me only seemed to take it seriously on Sunday. I believe in starting with a spirituality of love and wonderment about the world and other cultures and building up from there—a faith that can permeate every minute of your life and make you love where you're at and the one you're with. I can't deal with anything that teaches me to hate others in order to love myself or to be right. Life's so much bigger than such dogma.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-12-21T17:52:16-06:00

ID

74186

Comment

Certainly, Emily, what the world needs is more womanly love. And not just from women.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-12-21T17:54:43-06:00

ID

74187

Comment

I agree Donna. And as of today, I'm still a Southern Baptist ;) Maybe I stick around for shits and giggles, I dunno. I don't care much for religious debate. But spiritual discussion is always good for an artist's soul....and work. That's my experience anyway.

Author

emilyb

Date

2006-12-21T17:54:53-06:00

ID

74188

Comment

Hey, some of my best friends are Southern Baptist. ;-) And some of them are amazing social reformers and progressives. I just haven't felt the need to return to my roots. It seems so limiting to me. Love the differentiation between "religious debate" and "spiritual discussion." That's it exactly. The first is a very Marsian competition over who's right; the right is a Venusesque approach to us all being in this thing together. The funny thing is that since I accepted the idea that all faiths have something to teach me, I reject the idea of "religion" a whole lot less. It was the exclusivity part I couldn't accept. And as Tom has said elsewhere, I will NOT go to a church where everyone looks like me. Life's too short to consciously choose segregation.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-12-21T17:58:29-06:00

ID

74189

Comment

Here is the little bit of the song I can come up wit: Day by day, night after night...blinded by the neon lights. Hurry here, hussling there. No one got no time to spare. Money tight, nothing free. Tooth for tooth, eye for an eye... Sell your soul just to buy, buy, buy. Save the strong, lose the weak. Never turning the other cheek. Trust nobody, don't be a fool. Whatever happened to the golden rule? I'm stranded. Caught in a crossfire. Want somebody come and rescue me? You're a smart and able brother. Do what you have to do. Be bold. Think of that poem they made us learn when pledging: The Man Who Thinks He Can. Think of the other poem "If" which they also made us learn. How about this, "If you can keep your head when all others around you are losing theirs..." The race is not always won by the fastest or smarter but often by "The Man Who Thinks He Can."

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-12-21T18:00:13-06:00

ID

74190

Comment

We have such a narrow view of what makes a man a man or what makes a woman a woman in this society and perhaps the world. More and more it seems that research indicates that there is not a simple dividing line neatly separating one gender from the other. I saw a story on the news recently about "Alpha women and beta men" :-). It was about women who bring home the bacon and stay-at-home dads who cook it :-). God forbid!!!

Author

FreeClif

Date

2006-12-21T18:01:02-06:00

ID

74191

Comment

We can always learn from Popeye the Sailor Man, "I Yam what I Yam." Sometimes it's o.k. to figure out who you are and just BE. Not worrying about a box that others want to see you in.

Author

FreeClif

Date

2006-12-21T18:06:55-06:00

ID

74192

Comment

I stay at my church for the music. There is something very healing for me to sing those old hymns with a new spirit. We had a young black man LEAD our worship service a while back, and while it should NOT be something to comment on, it still is. And it was so powerful to me that I cried. My son asked, "Why are you crying?" I told him why...about how it was like in my childhood church. It's not ideal at my church, but life never is. It's much more diverse than it gets credit for, but the bylaws are still infuriating to me. I think the younger leaders of the SBC are also at a crossroads, and I have faith that they're going to make the right decisions too. I wish I could do Wells and Pinelake all together. That would be my ideal. But I've got to have some old school gospel every week or I'm not worth a damn by Tuesday. I don't know how I would have gotten through a divorce or Katrina without those songs. I wish I could find that piece about when I went to the wrong funeral that time....lost in a move :( But I'd like to revisit that one a few years later.

Author

emilyb

Date

2006-12-21T18:14:14-06:00

ID

74193

Comment

I actually like those old spirituals they use to sing at my church without any music such as the phrase "I love the Lord, he heard my cry, and every groan." I didn't really understand these words until riding along in my car after being done wrong by a past employer and having good things happen to me that I never really asked anyone for or was conscious I wanted or needed. Suddenly that "every groan" portion of that sung hit me. I also like the old hymm that contained the words, "I will trust in the Lord until I die." After growing up and facing all kinds of betrayals and dishonest people in the world it donned on me why those old men had put their trust in the Lord only or almost only. They were men of meager means who had survived arduous lives and circumstances, and they sung with heartfelt and true conviction.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-12-21T18:25:37-06:00

ID

74194

Comment

Maybe we should do a church lounge and visit a different one every Sunday. ;-) "Here come da Loungers!" they'd y'ell. Of course, we'd have to be quiet during the sermon, and that would be a challenge for this crowd. ;-D Love y'all, by the way. This is the Mississippi I've always envisioned. Sure glad I came on back home. Peace. I'm out for the night.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-12-21T18:28:24-06:00

ID

74195

Comment

Emily, which one are you talking about. Most of the ones on myspace are about some form of a crossroad....:-) If you'd like to post it, feel free. I'm a little tied up at the moment. Anyone interested can go to my page: www.myspace.com/queenfolayan

Author

Queen601

Date

2006-12-22T10:41:16-06:00

ID

74196

Comment

Queen, I remember your telling me earlier that you liked my cousin, Sean Carter, aka Jay-Z. I tell ya what, I'll call him and make it possible if you can help me steal Beyonce from him. Any help you can give would be so appreciated. His age can't possibly equip him to know what to do with her. She deserved a veteran like me as Richard Pryor would say.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-12-22T10:56:36-06:00

ID

74197

Comment

I'll go to church with y'all, but afterward I can't go out to parties ever again. We can't serve 2 masters. You'll hate one and love the other according to what I been told. Is that right, church?

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-12-22T11:31:22-06:00

ID

74198

Comment

Uh well, Ray, I just got off a call with The HOVA man himself and he says that he thinks that will be a fair trade off. He's willing to take me and give you Beyonce. Have fun with her!

Author

Queen601

Date

2006-12-22T11:32:13-06:00

ID

74199

Comment

Beyonce is kicking ass and taking names now. All woman band world tour. I can hear her influence in JayZ's new lyrics. Okay, Ludicris. I'm loving his new "Runaway Love" song. It does speak to the real world issues that young girls are facing. Mary J's voice is so haunting and true. But the end? He tells them the answer is to close their eyes and run away with him. Now I don't doubt his intentions are good, but how is this truly helping young girls who are abused, put down and feel that "hell is a place called home"? Our girls have GOT to learn that the answer is in THEM. Not in any one else! I appreciate Cris's step in the right direction, but if I closed my eyes and went to him, I would hear lyrics that tell me to have sex with him, or I'll be put on "foot patrol". I hope he's going towards a unity with his messages. I do think it's a total step in the right direction. But he's not the answer. Our boyfriends are not the answer. Our babies are not the answer. Make sense?

Author

emilyb

Date

2006-12-22T11:33:05-06:00

ID

74200

Comment

Well, I'll meet yall at the crossroads after the church meeting. That's where I'll be awaiting your return. Me and all my masters. :-)

Author

Queen601

Date

2006-12-22T11:34:04-06:00

ID

74201

Comment

Also meant to say that the video showed a love towards young girls not usually heard. That IS much appreciated and respected..... I love that he showed kindness and it's NOT a weakness.

Author

emilyb

Date

2006-12-22T11:34:42-06:00

ID

74202

Comment

great essay, K! Enjoyed it and will be looking forward to the future of your work, thoughts & heart.

Author

Izzy

Date

2006-12-22T11:45:42-06:00

ID

74203

Comment

Men have been lying to women for years about having or being what they need. Invariably all we have in mind is some johnson psychology. According to what I've heard many of you say often that psychology is too little or too short in duration to even know you really recieved it. Even our preachers are offering up this old style remedy for every condition, I'm hearing. You would think he would offer some spiritual guidance a time or two. Women gotta find self-esteem, worth, love, regard, peace, and happiness beyond a man. We are barley worth a shat ourselves because too many of us haven't any self-esteem, worth, love, or regard for self. You can't give what you don't have, and you can't fix what you don't feel and can't see. Add addictions to this and all hell breaks lose. Add children and you're passing dysfunctional activity to other generations. Sho Nuff. Hear me now.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-12-22T11:45:51-06:00

ID

74204

Comment

the message that all of a girl's problems can be solved by "running away" with a guy is very prevalent in pop music, pop culture. How many times did I imagine that as a girl? A bunch. It took so long to get the reality that I had to make my own path, my own truth. No guy was going to ride in on a white horse and do that. I hope today's girls have more choices and options but I fear the lull of the romantic fantasy is so strong.

Author

Izzy

Date

2006-12-22T11:55:56-06:00

ID

74205

Comment

I applaud anyone looking inward for what they need. Since the last JFP issue was on spirituality: "We fight not against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness...". A good soldier goes into battle with everything needed to survive (if isolated from other comrades) on his/her own back (food, weapon, ammo, a plan for dealing with enemy combatants). People need to check out what's in their own metaphorical back packs :-) for what's needed to survive unfriendly fire.

Author

FreeClif

Date

2006-12-22T11:59:46-06:00

ID

74206

Comment

Beyonce is kicking a** and taking names now. All woman band world tour. I can hear her influence in JayZ's new lyrics. Oh Emily....commo now. You hear HER influence in HIM...are you kidding????? Like how? If anything she's being influenced by him. SHe's the one who has HIM in all HER videos. I don't see her all on his albums, but he's on every 1st single she puts out. People give her way too much credit. She's hot now, don't get me wrong. She is off the chain. But....he is responsible for a lot of her successs...... TRUST ME. I know!

Author

Queen601

Date

2006-12-22T12:24:58-06:00

ID

74207

Comment

Queen, I don't see anything in him, but when Beyonce struts across that stage, does that dip or do that shake I can barely contain myself. Men over 70 shouldn't even be allowed to look at her. It's bad for their hearts. That boy (Sean) is ugly and he can't rap. She must be blind to be with him. Oh yeah, Beyonce can sing too. Actually i like her singing the most?

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-12-22T12:33:21-06:00

ID

74208

Comment

Beyonce has an amazing voice. She's going to be mentioned in the same breath as Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, etc. in 20 years. And yes, the videos are something else--I am physically incapable of changing the channel if "Crazy in Love" comes on. I still don't get the deal with the exploding car, but then I didn't notice there was an exploding car for the first few times I saw the video, which should tell you something. Queen, I just did an Add Friends request. If anyone wants to visit my own MySpace page, it's here: www.myspace.com/tom_head. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-12-22T16:40:05-06:00

ID

74209

Comment

And since I didn't catch this the first time around, may I say: I admire you tremendously as a human being, Kaze, and I can already tell that your next album, whatever you end up putting on it, is going to be a great one just because you're thinking about this stuff. I feel like we might be in a similar place right now. I started off the year wanting to spend the rest of my life writing uncontroversial school library books and quirky religion/spirituality titles. I'm ending the year wanting to write a bunch of really wild nonfiction titles with considerable social justice implications. Both of us are facing the problem the Old Testament prophets faced: "What do you mean you want me to prophesy? I'm inarticulate, I have a stammer--why me, Lord, why me?" And in both of our situations, we're going to have to balance the demands of our conscience with the brute fact that we have to make a living. Of course you've got a harder row to hoe, because even I know hip-hop is a harder game than writing when it comes to making a living--and since you used to be a full-time writer yourself, I'm sure you know it, too. But I have faith that your best years, commercially, are definitely ahead of you. Something tells me that when more of the rest of the country discovers Kamikaze, there will be no stopping you. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-12-22T16:53:10-06:00

ID

74210

Comment

Thanks Tom. I gotcha. And yes the broad is a DIVA...yes she will be mentioned with the best. Because she is an overall entertainer. SHe's nice on the eyes (she makes straight women want her....for real, yall), she does have an incredible voice, she not yet a good actress but after more roles she'll be at least as good at acting as Whitney. She is charismatic, sexy, non-threating, popular with blacks, whites, men, women, girls, boys, everyone...she's doing her thang. Don't get me wrong. I love her. I wish she was more inclined in some fashion to have something definete to say about any topic. She seems to be one of those careful people who speak to surfaces only...never ellaborating or offering too much insight on any one topic...but that is probably very smart considering her status. I just don't agree that she contributes to Jay-Z's music, his status or his popularity. He had all of that before she even wrote Bill, Bills, Bills. They are a power couple but one would still be successful without the other.

Author

Queen601

Date

2006-12-22T17:04:12-06:00

ID

74211

Comment

She motivates him. She makes him work hard, well, and fast so he can hurry home and see her. Queen, do you remember B. Angie. B.? She was a one hit wonder from Forrest, Mississippi who collaborated with Hammer. She was also good on the eyes while on stage. She had one of those videos that would make a man go in late to work just to keep from missing it. We fellows sho needed her career to last longer than it did. We even considered trying to raise some money to get her another record deal.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-12-22T17:15:18-06:00

ID

74212

Comment

Yes I do remember BAngieB. What in the world would make you think of her when speaking of Beyonce? :-) I think she may have had 2 hits...one fast, one slow. Jay motivates her, she serves him!

Author

Queen601

Date

2006-12-22T17:57:32-06:00

ID

74213

Comment

Queen, maybe my comments are blinded in jealously and covetness. I have sinned. Smile. Again, Merry Christmas.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-12-22T18:09:45-06:00

ID

74214

Comment

WHAT! I guess there could be an arguement that mine were too, huh? But not so!.... Hope you had a good holiday. Happy Kwanzaa and May your 2007 be as close to perfect as heaven!

Author

Queen601

Date

2006-12-28T17:14:27-06:00