It’s your girl WestStyle Chronicles signing in

Now I couldn’t miss this opportunity to comment on the premiere of Trey Songz’s “I Invented Sex” video. Was it because the video was so different and innovative? Well, no…not really. I mean think about it! You have a R. Kelly inspired song  called “I Invented Sex”. What do you think the video’s gonna be about?!? The Care Bears reunion!?! I’m afraid not. What you can expect from this video is pretty much what it says……SEX! If you’ve seen “9 1/2 Weeks” or any other explicit sex scene in a movie, you’ve basically seen this video already.With no argument, this imagery is targeted towards Trey’s female demographic to solidify – if he hadn’t already – himself as the ultimate sex symbol.

On one point, it shows the age-old strategy of “sex sells”. From a psychological standpoint, nothing sells the fantasy more than placing an attractive ”bad boy” in sexual situations with another woman. The ending result are legions of drooling, female fans wanting more “of you” as an artist and countless fantasies “about you” in the mind. And when you’ve entered the corridors of the mind, you’ve opened the doorways of the wallet in record sales. Is it the most brilliant strategy? Not in my opinion, but with dying record sales overall in the industry and the tried and true sex appeal of the “bad boy” image, it’s a strategy that sells itself with little effort but maximum results. Let me break it down for you:

• Video production     whatever was negotiated
• Apartment rental     $2,000 -$7,500 ( could be lower)
• Furniture rental        $50.00 -$100.00 a day from Rent-A-Center
• The girl                     $450.00 a day – on up
• Glam Squad             whatever was negotiated
• Food (gotta eat)      whatever was nearby
• Ice                           2 bags for $1.99 at Wal-Mart

A horde of female fans salivating over you like the last side order of fries at McDonald’s…………….PRICELESS!!!

However, the reason for my comment isn’t in Trey’s video per se. I’m not a Trey fan but I’m not necessarily a Trey hater either. I think the brilliance of his video was the execution of the premiere. Was its biggest premiere on BET, MTV or any other video channel? Strangely, no. But if you were one of the 4 million Twitter users, you probably were one of the many who retweeted and added Trey Songz to your follow list in order to see the video. Not that you did this on purpose but from the genius of Atlantic Records, they executed a Twitter application that would automatically do this for you with two mouse clicks.  Within 5 -10 minutes, Songz’s video became the trend of Twitter. It was an excellent case study in the power of social media that could be used in a number of ways.

Overall, my opinion of the video was ok. Personally, I like to see sensuality in subtle shadows. It can simmer the anticipation, intrigue and mystery to a boil in the mind of the audience. You can take the storyline further and longer in this case. This video really wasn’t anything I hadn’t seen before. Yet coming from a music industry background, I can understand the puppet strings of politics in the scenario. It’s really simple. Why make an artist exert originality and creativity when they don’t have to. I have a male vocalist in the following climate:

1)  Bold, Urban, Bad Boy, Sexuality as his artist brand

2)  Sex sells. Creativity is risky but sex is a guarantee money-maker

3)  A target female audience that wants to be romanced a little but sexed a lot.

This doesn’t constitute a climate of creativity. In this case, you can’t overstep the boundaries of the brand if you want to make easy money. Plain and simple. But regardless of my opinion of the video, the marketing was excellent. You can’t deny the creativity and power used in this Twitter premiere. 

Just my opinion!

Video courtesy of Songbook/Atlantic Records

Hola ya’ll, it’s ya girl,WestStyle Chronicles.

Let me say this, only the “greatest” could make me come out of hiatus.

I’ve been trying to figure how to start this post because as a music person, I am totally devastated by the passing of Michael Jackson. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the concept of 2009 following that lifeline dash. Words just completely escape me. Unfortunately I never had the pleasure of meeting this musical genius, yet  it feels like I’ve lost someone close to me. Loving music all my life, Michael has unconsciencously been part of the fabric  in my love affair with music. I can remember playing my mama’s old 45 on my Smurf record player and singing ”ABC” and ‘Mama’s Pearl”. I can’t forget looking at the Jackson 5 cartoon on Saturday mornings either. I can also remember mama letting me stay up past 9pm so I could see Michael perform on the Grammy’s or the AMA. Hell, I would run home as quickly as I could to see the premier of “Thriller” then wait another 30 minutes to an hour to see it again on MTV. The memories of him are endless.

This man amazed me. His feel for a song was incredible.  His producing and songwriting, dynamic. And in performance, he commanded the stage as “divinity in motion”. This is truly a sad time in music because we’ve lost the “greatest of all time”.  There will never be another in our lifetime.

So in salute to the “King of Pop”, let me share a couple of my favorite performances and a “MJ Tribute” from DJs Skee and Khalil, featuring The Game, Chris Brown, Diddy, Polow Da Don, Mario Winans, Usher and Boyz II Men – “Better On the Other Side” . Rest In Peace, Michael. We love you!

What up, ya’ll!!!

If you know anything about me, you know I like to start stuff. But I ain’t about starting no crazy racial stuff. However, I really like to shed light on the ignorance of others and make fun of the stupid be you black or white. I’m an equal opportunity girl………………Enjoy! 

Have you ever been sitting in front of your television only to see something so retarded that you said to yourself, “WTF is this “ish”!?!?! Well I said that to myself a few days ago. Here I am watching television and low and behold there it was. Republican National Token…….oops, I sorry………. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael S. Steele plans to bring a “hip hop makeover” to the Republican Party. I couldn’t believe this ish so I had to go to the source. Yep, there it was in black and white from the Washington Times. In the words of Mr. Steele:

“We need messengers to really capture that region – young, Hispanic, black, a cross section … We want to convey that the modern-day GOP looks like the conservative party that stands on principles. But we want to apply them to urban-surburban hip-hop settings.”

Now the plan of Mr. Steele is to take Obama’s grassroot campaign, known in the hood as “street teaming” and place a GOP twist. How the Republicans with their rather clueless understanding of the Latino and African American culture plan to appeal to such an audience is beyond me. But here are some things they may want to consider in aiming for their audience of hip hip:

 1.  If you don’t understand the culture, you sure as hell can’t talk to the culture! Here is a little example of what I’m talking about!

2.  If you report something concerning hip hop, report it like someone who has heard more than Vanilla Ice or Sir Mix-A-Lot . Now in this example, I can understand how Jezzy’s celebratory remarks may have been offensive to some. But in understanding hip hop as a whole, hip hop has never been “politically correct” to begin with. Whether you’re talking about artist like Common, Luda or Snoop, hip hop has always been an art form that rebels a given system and speaks the language of its origin….the streets! And when one doesn’t understand the art form, they have a tendency to clump all hip hip in the same category and take everything out of context due to that ignorance. Let’s take the Republican voice, Fox News for example…..

3.  When you have Rush Limbaugh, one who was called the voice of conservatism by former President Reagen, making hits like the following, that just ain’t good PR for your hip hop audience…….you, think!

4.  In order to appeal to the hip hop audience you have to have “street cred” aka “political endorsements”. Now what hip hop artists would put there career and street credibility on the line given the three examples I just gave?!?!

So in a nutshell, when it comes to the Republican Party trying to reach the hip hip youth……..how do I say this…..just because you’r f**** up  doesn’t mean you need to pass it on to the next generation. Why don’t you try another strategy like “Palin for Vice President”……oh, I’m sorry, you tried that already…gosh darn it!!!

Hola everybody and Happy Obama Day to you!!!!

As I looked upon the inauguration festivities with a chicken wing in one hand and ”cham-pimpin” in the other,  I have to say it was a good day in America.  Now some of you may wonder why. Well, let me give you 3 reasons:

1. It’s a good day to see a black man being sworn in as the President instead of Pookie & ‘em swearing in on “Court TV” for some dumb crime at the  liquior store.

2. It’s a good day when a black man’s face is plastered on Fox News, MSNBC& CNN andit doesn’t have “95794027303″ underneath the mug shot.

3. It’s a good day when a black man is escorted to the White House instead of  “Cell CB4″ to meet is new girlfriend named “T Money”.

 However with all the festivities, there were some trip ups. One being the actual swear in. Can you believe they did the swear in again? However, I truly understand. When people can make court cases out of coffee being hot at McDonald’s, you better cross your “t”s and dot your “i”s. But what got me was a commentator’s remark on CNN. Their argument was “didn’t Barack just speak about how he wanted to have transparency cornerstone of his administration?” referring to the “secretive 2nd swear in”. I’m looking at dis dumb mutha f&***%@ like “WTF!!!!” There is a difference between transparency and “I don’t give a damn!” Let me explain:

Are you raising my taxes?……………………………Transparency

Did Barack pass gas at the inauguration?? ……….”I don’t give a damn!”

Are we thinking about engaging in a 3rd war?…..Transparency

Did Barack wear underwear on his first day?……”I don’t give a damn!”

Changes to the stimulus plan?………………………..Transparency

Barack getting sworn in the second time when the 20th Amendment makes the first time law?……………………………”I don’t give a rat’s a$$, CNN!!!!! Get some real news!!!!!”

Shakira, Stevie Wonder & Usher

I have to say that I’m loving all the celebration. However with all the festivities, let me express my concerns.

Yes people, after seeing the free inauguration concert, I have concerns:

1.  Under no circumstances should Shakira ever……..ever, ever desecrate a classic Stevie Wonder song. I’m looking at my plasma like “what the hell is this b%&^%  doing to my song!!!!!” Stop dat, damnit!!!! Step away from the mic and sit your a** down!!!!! I had never been so mortified to hear someone butcher a Stevie Wonder song since Ashanti did a tribute to him one year. I’m still trying to recover from that!

2.  Don’t allow Denzel Washington to any more presidential functions. We remember what happened to Whitney on the Preacher’s Wife. Now this man is incredibly fine so certain precautions have to be made. ”1st Lady handshakes and hugs” should only be 1.04 seconds. If you hit 1.05, you’re hitting dangerous territory. Now Michelle, you started to hit for that 1.05 territory with that presidential hug towards the end of the concert. I know it’s Denzel but you got “Barack”. “King Kong ain’t got nothing on him!” Your main concern should be those children and “Air Force One”. Hilary made grave mistakes in overlooking “air force one” and now we got Monica Lewinsky in our history books. So people,  pray for the 1st family and “Air Force One” in the White House. 

3. I saw a lot of talented artists at this function. Usher, Beyonce, Sheryl Crow, etc. But I kept thinking to myself…………… Why didn’t they have the “Magic City Strippers”? Personally, I’m strictly d*$#% but I believe in putting people to work.   They could have danced to ”Shout” with Garth Brooks.  We wouldn’t need to have a $800 billion stimulus plan. Just put them on the stage, get Dollar Bill to gather the Senate and throw them dollars in the air.  It’s called keeping  jobs in America and not shipping them oversees. Why get money from China when you can raise it at home. This is what you call “serving the country” and everybody needs to play their part.

I need to email Barack on his Blackberry about this idea.

Courtesy of the official MySpace page of Ciara

Alright ya’ll, I just got a chance to check out Ciara’s mix on Beyonce’s “Diva”. I swear this would be hot as a “all girl” remix. Just add some Keyshia Cole, Mariah Carey and whatever female rapper that ain’t doing  jail time and you got a hot remix!!!!!  Check out Ciara’s version of “Diva” . What do you think????

Hey, I’m back ya’ll. I had to take a break cause this blog thing can be exhausting!

But anyway, as my predication saw it, “Diva” is indeed the next club banger single from the album. I’m not surprised because it’s a good song. Now ya’ll know “diva is a female version of a hustler” but “Diva” is also the female version of Lil Wayne’s “A Mili”. If you listen to the drum track, you may hear a resemblance.

Regardless of that, I love the song and yes, it may be my theme song for 2009

Alright ya’ll, Jamie is back with his new album, “Man’s Intuition”.  Listen to his single”Digital Girl” featuring Kanye West and The Dream. It kinda reminds me of Omarion’s “Entourage” with the background vocals. What do you think?

What up fam,

For those of you who missed the 2008 Victoria Secret Fashion Show, here are a couple clips from the show. And of course with ATL’s own, Usher!!!! I have to give it to him on his band performance. He was truly a entertainer’s entertainer. This is the Usher I know, damnit!!! Not that mess he did on the BET Awards. Oh, and to my male friends, hope you enjoy the “angel love”.  Smooches.

Usher in opening cat walk

 Usher in his band performance

R. Kelly as the Brown Hornet

Ok ya’ll, ya girl’s back! Busting caps and taking names

Sorry to leave ya’ll hanging Monday and Tuesday. I had to get my shop on but I got you on our “Say What?!?! Wednesdays”.

Let’s get it poppin’ with Beyonce’s new remix, “If I Were A Boy” featuring R. Kelly!!!

Now when I heard this remix, all I could say is “what da hell!!!”. After R. Kelly’s bitchass moment with Jay-Z on the “Best of Both Worlds” situation, I just knew I would never see “R” on a Beyonce cut! That was a wrap!!! But low and behold, here we are with “R” singing “If I Were A Boy”. Now ya’ll please excuse me for a minute while I wild out. Is it just me or do you think no man should ever be on a remix called “If I Were A Boy”?!?!?!? This is like a guy dancing and snapping to his ”Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) ringtone. Both of these situations are questionable, people!!!! Very suspect!!! I mean think about it. This is the same person who introduced the term “Down Low” and may still be tinkering “in the closet”. Remember this interview……

Like I said…….. questionable!!!!

Oh, I forgot…….check out the remix.