Toni on Toast

Why do I love Toni Morrison?

The reasons are plenty, but the words to bring across my reasons are so few.

Quick summary: Toni Morrison, born Feburary 18th, 1931, is a professor and an author. She went to Howard University, Cornell University, and taught at Texus Souterhn University AND Howard University. Having had a B.A. in English and Masters of Arts decree in English too, you can guess what she taught.

She began writing at Howard. Short stories, for a group of unofficial writers and poets in HOward itself. One of these Short stories became her first novel in 1970, The Bluest Eye, and it was a notable start to a legendary career.

You may have heard of Sula, Song of Solomon, Tar Baby, Beloved, Jazz, Paradise, Love, and A Mercy. This year I hear she's either put out or putting out a new book called Home. I myself have read four of her novels, and I'm starting on another one this week. But I wanted to just put out there how amazing of a writer she is. And the only way for me to give you a peek into her world is with an excerpt from one of her books, Sula.

Click here for the excerpt.

If you read this, than you know she has a way with words even in the uneventful parts of her novels. But again, just go out and read one. I don't want to waste anyone's time, just wanted to put out the name of a legend in my eyes.

Now let's get this new week started!!

-CDM

Mac [Miller] And Cheese

Okay. So. Just got into this guy. Mac Miller. AKA Most Dope/Easy Mac. 20 years old. Hailing from Pittsburgh, PA. Self-taught musician. And frankly, worth listening to.

I first heard him in this video with Rapsody:

So then I decided, hey, I liked his flow on this song, why not check him out more?

And this is what I got:

He's pretty nice isn't he? I'm liking whoever is producing his songs. And his flow is definitely dope. I'll be keeping an eye on him. :)

On a completely different subject, I've been really getting into The House Of Silk by Anthony Horowitz. Remember when I talked about a group of books I bought from Barnes and Noble before it closed in my area? I finally got to this one.

To recap, this book is about a Sherlock Holmes case that was one of their most disturbing yet, and Watson kept it to himself for as along as he did because the details would destroy his society if they ever got out. This can tell you either two things:  1) that  Watson was just a big prude who wanted the cases to be more exciting if his accounts were hidden for a century, or 2) that this really was a sick case that even shook Holmes to the core. 

My findings prove it was the latter. One of Holmes' "advisers," a thirteen year old street walker named Ross, is found brutally murdered wit a white ribbon tied around his wrist. The finding leads Holmes determinedly into a frightening conspiracy involving high ranking citizens, and it all revolves around the mysterious House Of Silk. What is the House Of Silk? And why is it so dangerous that to inquire about it had Sherlock almost killed himself?

I'm over halfway into it, and I still haven't found it out, but my suspicions are getting wilder and wilder without anything to really go on here. The only thing I know is that the side case, the one where a man's wife is accused by his family of killing his mother, seems to be wrapping up faster than the House of Silk. 

Oh, Holmes. You are really something. And props to Watson for having the strength to write every single line of dialogue down! What a sharp memory!

I may have a post tomorrow about a new movie I'm going to see, so stay tuned, my friends!

-CDM

Treats from the 'Tube

You know, it's easy to be popular nowadays.

On the internet, at least.

Just make a youtube channel, do some funny and smart stuff, and the audience will build.

Even if it's nothing but talk about current issues and silly parodies.

Okay, it's not as easy as I'm making it sound, because you have to do more than just be good to build an audience in any case. But it's definitely easy to gain an audience on the internet, through youtube, if your stuff is as good as you say it is. Look at Ish My Dad Says. It has evolved into Ish RedHeads say, Ish the president says, Ish Yoda Says....you get my point.

Over the years youtube has become the birthplace for a lot of stars. Maybe not stars on the level of Beyonce, but stars nonetheless. We call them youtube stars. I have a couple of channels I want to share with you that are, in my opinion, youtube star material. I posted the link to their channels right next to their names.

Remember, the key to being a youtube star is keeping your audience interested. Whether you're in comedy, music, politics, or just plain commentary, you have to keep em coming back for now. That's what these guys do.

1) Alphacat Alphacat

You know him better as the Obama impersonator, but he's also the Drake impersonator, the parody song creator and the other half of AlphaLavie, an account he made with his now ex-girlfriend Lisa Lavie. But that aside, the work of this man is something to be respected. In fact, he's been so popular, he's been on news channels impersonating Obama.

2) This Is A Commentary ThisIsACommentary

He's actually quite new to the game, coming on the scene in late 2011 with a few okay videos about things he didn't like. But he's evolved considerably since then. He's made "Ish ----- Says" videos, parody videos, and he even has one video of him covering another song. (yeah. good singer too.) Give him a chance, he's hella funny.

3) Prank VS Prank PrankvsPrank

It's a Jersey couple who plans elaborate pranks on each other. Sounds lame, but seriously, these two are not playing around. The girl started it by posting a video of hitting her boyfriend on the head from behind with a baking pan, and then he posted a video getting her back by throwing a cream pie in her face. From there, a legendary channel was born. I've seen so many disgusting, horrific, hilarious pranks that I think I'll try a couple a month on friends and family.

4) The Young Turks TheYoungTurks

Okay, you probably all know about this channel already, but I'm putting it on anyway. Cenk Ugyur, the founder and host of the show, weekly records a live feed on youtube with his co-host Ana. They cover all sorts of issues, from American culture to politics, from insignificant things to very signifanct things, from a silly video on youtube to the President's recent decisions. They've branched out into other sub shows, like What The Flick, TYTSports, TYTUniveristy, and twenTYTwelve. Out of all these youtube channels, they've been here the longest. IN terms of internet shows, they are, in my opinion, the rulers.

5) Chris Crocker itschriscrocker

Yes, this is the guy who did the "LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE" video. Yes, this the guy who, in the beginning, screamed at the camera about random stuff like, "Kiss my a**." But recently his videos have been commenting on social issues that he finds important, and for the most part I agree with his points. It's no longer just comedy, it's now social commentary. Like ThisIsACommentary. And even if you disagree, you have GOT to admit, it's funny as HECK most of the time.

So Yeah, come back to me and let me know what you think. Submit a few youtube channels that you think are star material, and I'll check them out. PEACE!

-CDM

Coffee and Coltrane (Jazz Friday)

Ah....Jazz. Maybe the smoothest, most complex, sultriest, charming, moving, mind-blowing form of music there ever was. Jazz, the home to pioneers like Monk, Davis, Fitzgerald, Simone, and more. Jazz, the truly unique form of composition.

But of course, I can't just say this without having a few songs to back it up with. Thank me later, just watch now. ;)

I know there are more, so go to the comments and gimme a few of your have jazz songs or artists I may have missed. :) Have a good weekend!

-CDM

A Dash of Voice, A Sprinkle of Dance

Okay. Two things. Quick.

One: Bobby Mcferrin owns the vocal world. I mean it. He does.
My childhood was filled with memories from "Circlesongs" to "Medicine Man," and that's just two of them. But it's only been recently that I've fallen back in love with his technique.
Most will remember him from "Don't Worry Be Happy" which is probably one of the most uplifting songs we will ever hear in our lifetime, but he is so much more than just that. He doesn't have to record his voice many times to create musical heaven. He just needs his voice, a little concentration, and a hand slapping his chest. Then there's magic.
Two videos alone prove it.

Two: I've always loved danced, but seriously, Philadanco just might be my favorite dance group next to Renee Harris' RAW. Their bodies are so strong and intimidating when you see them up close, yet they carry themselves with the grace and lightness of a feather. There's not a video here that can really showcase their abilities the way I've seen them live in performance, but I'll try anyway.
This is a five minute sample of one of their pieces.

Tune in soon for a special post about, arguably, the smoothest genre in music.

-CDM