The Triumph of Talent, the Frank Ocean Story (the Review)

   We live in a society that  looks down on individuality.  A society that wants you to play it safe. No matter your diligence to hard work,  or your vices, or even your own adversity, society assumes that we should act and be one way. To be different is wrong,  instead  be like everyone else. Don’t rock the boat, don’t make people feel uncomfortable for being you. For those of us that live in the real world we know that everything is not meant to be painted black or white but much deeper, but  a canvas with several hues expressing new possibilities of life.

     If you’ve never been to a party where they played Novacane, or if  you, haven’t felt the lyrics of Thinkin bout you or even beyonce’s I miss you then you don’t know Frank Ocean. The Odd Future member has evolved with his  debut album  Channel Orange making it a body of work that speaks for itself.  

Before  the debut of  Channel Orange, Ocean decided to be real with himself  by telling  the world  his sexual preference. No matter what you may think one thing is for sure, Frank Ocean is a student of music who has created a masterpiece from his lessons of music and life. 

      Channel Orange is a soulful,  funky, alternative, and  honest body of work that touches on lust, sexuality, and what most diverse individuals have discovered while living in this thing we call life.

Channel Orange is a LP which all tracks must be listened to, a body of work that does not give you the option to fast forward. Ocean’s honesty depicts a vivid picture of what crack cocaine did to many individuals from a 80s baby’s perspective on  the track crack rock. Tracks like Pilot Jones, Pyramids and Monks paint the picture of a life full of  wild escapades.

       Channel Orange debuts Ocean’s talents with little big name appearances  however for the tracks that do have guest appearances, Ocean delivers big  with the help of Andre 3000 in Pink Matter and John Mayer with White. Forrest Gump is the all familiar tale of the highs and lows of dating the wrong lover that makes a  lasting impression with its retro hip hop approach.  Super rich kids is   a trippy new age feel telling the story of the super rich adolescents and their demons all while paying homage to Mary J bilge’s real love in the process.  The track entitled  Pyramids sexs it up with the theme of loving  a stripper, the forbidden fruit.

      Over all Ocean delivers some of the best work to date with Channel Orange  which is sure to be a classic and a must have. Channel Orange illustrates that no matter how complex an individual might be, talent is something that can’t be overlooked. You cannot deny Ocean’s talents which is the  single reason why big name artists like Jay-z, and Kanye have flocked for his assistance. Ocean’s music speaks for itself giving him an open invitation to be looked at as one of the greats of originality.           Channel Orange gives its audience something to ride to, something to paper plane to, something to dance to, something to set the tone to when your in the mood for sexuality and overall just something to  appreciate.

For hipsters, Frank Ocean gives life to those who are happy to be themselves while  exploring  life and all that it has to offer.

written by scotlaroc

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL: KENDRICK LAMAR

SOURCE: DIARYOFAHOLLYWOODSTREETKING

Foolish Wednesday's: T.O.N.Y.

written by Scottlaroc

I think we all have had a T.O.N.Y. ( the other night why) as complex people we tend to find love in hopeless places. Hooking up with a TONY usually means that your going to have some type of regret, deep down inside you know its wrong but the feeling feels so right. TONY's exist only because of emotions. Emotions that don't exceed pass the current moment. Hooking up with a Tony means you know the outcome, you know its not going to last as well as  the potential of you getting hurt, but you do it anyway because of the " current" feelings he/she brings you.  T.O.N.Y is love that's only temporally its not lasting love, its love you crave at  your most vulnerable times. The times where you are waiting on love but become anxious and impatience with loves slow delivery.  If I had to characterize what a TONY would be, it would be a bad boy , a free cage bird (party girl), a smooth operator (smooth talker), a Ex or maybe a hood rat( what ever opposite you know you should stay away from) Many of us have had experience with these types of individuals, the ones  we know we shouldn't date, but date anyway  because of the feeling that we know we are going to get, the satisfaction, even if its a short satisfaction. We all want love, we all know how good the feeling is and sometimes we are willing to risk our sanity chasing a TONY. Tony’s are not in it for the long run, they are the moment seekers.  No matter how good you might think you two have it, Tony’s are not going to stick around in the long hall.  There’s no need to talk commitment or relationship because Tony’s don’t have the intention to be the poster child for  what a committed relationship looks like. A Tony could also be someone who you out grew but your just caught up in the moment of having and loving someone. Once that Love Jones is gone and reality sits in, your asking your self “ what the hell” did I get myself into. Its only human nature for humans to want and feel some type of love even if it’s for a moment. A wise person once told me that we were not meant to be by ourselves, this may be true but just make sure you don't run true love off because your chasing the TONY's of the world.

Solange T.O.N.Y

Meek Mill the People's Champ? Dreamchasers 2 review

Writtern by Taira " Scottlaroc" Scott.     

Its 2012, but it’s feeling more like 1986. Shit’s fucked up. With black on black crime at an all time high, where it’s more common to attend a funeral then a college graduation, people are losing hope.  Among the hopeless, are those who see  adversity but are still pushing forward.  25-year-old Philly rapper Meek Mill, knows first hand what your environment can make you become. From having the circumstances of a “have not” to transforming a weary destiny to self made. Dropping his new Mixtape entitled Dreamchasers 2 Meek gives the people what they need the most; hope and reality.  Dreamchasers 2 lives up to its anticipation with DJ Drama setting up the theme and direction throughout each track. “They say your brain is most creative in your sleep, in the sleep state the brain thinks much  more visually and  intuitively, as dream chasers we accomplish that wide awake.”   DC2 is a sightful mixtape that shows a young kid from the hood on the brink of reaching his dreams that seemed so impossible.  DC2 picks up right where the first dreamchasers  mixtape left off. Its no secret, why over 2 million people waited to download this mixtape mainly  because we all can  connect with the under dog. Just like other Philly rappers, Meek Mill is able to connect the streets  with gritty  imagery, soul provoking concepts and a voice where you have no other choice but to listen. DC2 gives its audience a glimpse to what it feels like to wish, to hope,  and to continue to walk forward with your dreams and to finally see progress with tracks like “ Use to be, Ride, Big Dreams, Ready or Not, On my way.” In addition, Meek Mill keeps it sexy for all the independent party chicks to the strippers all around the world with tracks like “Take u home,  and Face down.”  Meek Mill’s life may have changed since jumping on the hip-hop scene but he keeps it hood and ratchet with tracks like : Everyday,  Racked up Shawty,  Str8 like that ,Amen, Burn & House Party Remix. DC2 deliver’s a good balance of stuntin, hood life, thug life  and lyrical content while serving its core fans but applying pressure to the masses.

Not only does DC2 express Meek Mill’s abrasive lyrics but with guest appearances from other artist like: Big Sean, Drake, Wale, Rick Ross,  2 Chainz, Trey Songz, Kendrick Lamar,  & Fabolous sets up the tone of a league of underdogs.  With Dreamchasers 2 dropping, one things for certain Meek Mill is a force that can’t be overlooked, he definitely has something to say and he definitely wants in. Over all its worth having and worth nodding to.