The Cost of Love, Fame, and the Young People Takeover...about time!

One of the only unanimous agreements of all people worldwide just happens to be one of the biggest cliches known to mankind "love makes you do crazy things," but it's as true as the sun. History, both personal and public, proves it. The hunger of fame isn't too far off, either. In case you missed it, take some quick hits of some crazy happenings, in no particular order :

• A man in Texas was far too influenced by the work of Hannibal Lecter as he abducted and killed his wife for cheating on him with another man - he stabbed him, too (he's in critical condition). He severed her body, boiled her ear and had a fork sticking out her human flesh on his kitchen table. He turned himself in, being charged with capital murder and is being held with a bond of $2 million. Usually, we would assume that only a white man would do this, but not, he's Black - which is a bit sad because if he was white - news coverage would have explored the psychological past of the killer.
• In some other sick news, a 12 year old boy beat and killed a 17-month old girl for crying while he watched t.v. The 12-year-old is spending time in a juvenile detention center but could be face charges as an adult. In 1999, a 12-year-old killed a six year old and was sentenced to life in prison, he holds the record as the youngest ever. The kid should serve some federal prison time, his public lawyers insists that the juve. system be utilized. He turned himself in.
• All this talk about weird killings is both disturbing and depressing, however, so on to the opposite, killers who got off. A British citizen who spent 20 years on Ohio's death row was set free after he pleaded no contest to three charges dealing with a fire related to the death of a 2-year old (all these killings of children is crazy!) Ken Richey was set free after he came within an hour of being executed for setting an apartment on fire and killed the toddler. He was set free on a deal which required him to leave the country. Prosecutors are even in on this, agreeing the with deal saying that Richey was in harm's way if he didn't leave the country. The international press is really making a big deal of this and surprisingly defending this guy - who, given there is no hardcore evidence but none was really sought after. The deal let him go without him admitting anything - his conviction of 20 years ago, was overturned.
• Switch it up, the attack on Britney Spears continues, there are reports that someone close to her will probably be releasing some outrageous photos of her that "could maker her MTV performance look tasteful." Some pics they must be.

The Young People Takeover Already in 2008, we are witnessing history. Signs of either there is a great year in store or the world is coming to an end - maybe both.

• First, a young boy scout saved the life of the president of Maldives (a chain of islands off the west coast of India) by grabbing the knife of the alleged attacker when he jumped out of the crowd. The kid was 15 - which makes it not that big of a deal, initially I thought the kid was like eight or something, but he's 15 - he's expected to defend himself, and I guess his president, unlike ours, is a role model - a figure who he can look up to.
• The son of the late Benazie Bhutto, the opposition leader of Pakistan has inherited the throne. He is 19-year-old Oxford student, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, whose had to endure a lot as both his father and mother were assassinated within weeks. He's handled himself with grace and composure and it is easy to say that we're looking at a future international leader, for the better or worse, the jury is still out. The party chose him unanimously and he plans to finish his studies at Oxford and with opposition forces of Pakistan assassinating both of his parents, Zardari said that he fears for his privacy more than he does his life.
• Finally, there are talks that young people will show up to voting polls in November in record numbers. Let's hope so, let's also hope that we all educate ourself about who is the right candidate to not only change this country for the better, but to lead this country for the better as well. Education is very important, especially for this election, it has never been more important for this generation.

More on everything soon.

2008's Great Start

I don't like writing what people can read anywhere else, so I put a twist - learn to deal with my seemingly subjective, objective views - a renaissance revolution. Already so early in the year and the streets are buzzin'. Apparently, Lil Wayne might have a little competition in 2008 for Workhorse of the Year and eventually, rapper of the year. Seeing as how he had a very busy 2007 w/o dropping "The Carter III" he got together quite the following, let's just hope he drops his much anticipated album this year. Not necessarily coming up on his heels but a name to remember for 2008, Young Chris (remember him from the Young Gunz, with Roc-A-Fella & State Property?) Daily, I go on allhiphop.com for my music fix - just to see what's out there. In the first four days of '08 and the last few weeks of '07 Young Chris has been releasing some heat. His latest "No Where" and "The Robbery" compliment what will be his first single, "Coast to Coast" (featuring Bobby V) in the sense that it is a change of pace. Any song with Bobby V on the track - will be for the ladies, whereas "The Robbery" is a very coherent street gangster story and "No Where" speaks of his ambition. What separates a good artist from an average artist or a one hit wonder is his/her ability to tell stories with a harmonic and coherent flow - let's hope he can stay consistent which is the other ingredient for success. Chris shows that he is a good storyteller and has a bunch of potential. He will undoubtedly take a lot of heat for being under Jay-Z for so long - he will get accused of stealing his flow and his style, but what Jay-Z did was revolutionary - everyone takes bits and pieces from his style and flow - the elements of success. Cross your fingers that Young Chris's album "Now or Never" actually drops this year, unlike his competition on '07. I'm looking forward to hearing from both of them.On the other side of the fence of success, is downfall. Britney Spears picked up right where she left off for '08 by losing even partial custody of her two baby boys to the more fit parent the homie K-Fed. Apparently, the mommy of the year refused to give the boys to their "father" after a court monitored visit. She was under the influence of an unknown controlled substance (which is quite the surprise) and had to be taken to the hospital and is on involuntary psychiatric hold - FINALLY! She should probably stay there for a while and get her children taken away, I sure hope my girl Jamie Lynn is more fit of a parent for future references.

crazy ho

In news that is insanely (no pun intended Brit) more imperative than Hollywood f*ckups, President - I mean Senator Obama's magical campaign is still waving it's wand. Big homie Obama decisively won the Iowa Caucus on Thursday and it seems as if he has the momentum in the Democratic Party over John Edwards and Hilary Clinton, who finished second and third respectively. On the other side, the FAR other side, Mike Huckabee won the Republican bid in Iowa, let's hope his victory stops there - he's the epitome of the Conservative that we do not need in office. Off to New Hampshire they go, let the excitement continue! More in Obama later on, especially realistic views on if/when he wins - prepare for a Race War because of the insecurities of Conservative White people.

2007 : Tragedy or Triumph - Entertainment Edition

First, major condolences to the friends and family of Pimp C of UGK - a true Underground King - there can only be one. Hola, 2008. 2007 was a big year in the entertainment industry, too, but only one celebrity stood out further than anyone else - Britney Spears. It seemed like mass media did everything they could to end her life and career, but she showed good perseverance by coming one step closer to replenishing her career. Her album "Blackout" went as high as #2 on the billboard and the content isn't bad at all. Props to Keri Hilson for writing most of her songs and DangaHandz for producing the hits, (two of the industry's best). '07 also introduced the U.S. to an amazing artist from the U.K. with international appeal. Amy Whinehouse's "Back to Black" was a hit LP which rocked critics and fans alike. Drug and alcohol issues continued to hamper her career as they have done in Amy's life. Hollywood's paparazzi applied a choke hold to Whinehouse's career in hope that she'd tap out - the verdict is still out there. "Back to Black" is a personal album for Whinehouse and you can tell she put her all into it. Talent can't be denied for too long, something tells me that she'll be back - if not in the US than definitely in Europe. This is going to sound cliche for the urban renaissance journalist in me, but Jay-Z and Beyonce are simply the best Hollywood couple simply because they each have their own lives but stay committed to each other. Although, the philanthropist in me likes Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie simply because of the passion and the time they share - but once the next home-wrecker comes to one of Brad's sets, he might just be all ears, put on his headphones and listen to the sweet sounds of temptation. But why would you want to leave Angelina Jolie? I don't know but maybe big homie Brad is just greedy. The logic in me, goes with the clear winner - Will and Jada -beautiful couple, beautiful family. No explanation needed. Best dressed goes to a bunch of sexy women including Halle Berry and Beyonce and Penelope Cruz and there's just too much to name - let me quit while I'm ahead or get too excited. Worst dressed have to be the Olsen twins - what the f*ck? Finally, headline of the year is up in the air as Hollywood comes grips with the realities of drug use, the pressures of parenting, and the national phenomenon that has been just that for decades all over America, teenage pregnancy. With Britney Spears, it was never just one headline so it's hard to choose just one that sticks out besides her classic VMA performance - how could they ask to cut Britney slack when she puts herself in these situations? Anna Nicole passed away far too soon, she was a mess - always was. But the one-hitter quitter headline of the year has to be the other Spears sister - Jamie Lynn. Her world came to a halt when she found out that she was pregnant - her TV show on Nickelodeon was canceled and she might not ever be the same. She says she's keeping it, but I wouldn't be surprised if she somehow, mysteriously has a so-called "miscarriage" aka a visit to the clinic. "The corner, where struggle and greed fight - we write songs about wrong cuz it's hard to see right," - Common.