Sex, Lies, Videotapes, DVD and streaming video

I guess nowadays, since sex is so prevalent in pop culture, it’s not as shocking or interesting to see your favorite celeb in an intimate moment with whomever as it was about 10-15 years ago. Now, the latest sex tape is allegedly of rapper Inga Fung Marchand, better known as “Foxy Brown” performing oral sex on a man who is also videotaping act.

Foxy Brown has a reputation for performing music that is quite sexually charged and in some cases quite graphic. At this time, a lot isn’t known about this video, but there are still frames of a woman that resembles Foxy Brown extracting the reproductive DNA out of some dude. This video reminds me of a conversation I had awhile back about how a sex tape that starred rapper Lil Kim or Foxy Brown would affect the careers of said rappers. Foxy Brown, and her contemporary Lil Kim, are known for sexually graphic lyrics. I always felt that if they were so real with there lyrics, then this would add to their street cred. So, now we have an alleged video of Foxy Brown. Downside is that, it’s 2008 instead of 1998, so what is on this video seems more or less quite tame, and as some would say “vanilla.”

Nowadays, the modern day “sex scandal” regarding your favorite celebrity, politician or whatever public figure has become expected, and in some cases, anticipated. Whether it’s video, photographic and sometimes text, the public awaits their celebrity of choice in an erotic embrace. For those who don’t know, scandals regarding celebrity sex tapes go back as far as “Hogan’s Heroes” star Bob Crane. Throughout the late 70’s Bob Crane recorded many of his sexual conquests with help from co-hort and possible suspect in Crane’s murder, John Henry Carpenter. So, here and there, throughout the years, there have been many other alleged and confirmed “celebrity sex tapes.”
The following is a brief list of celebrity sex tapes that have surfaced over the years.

1996

Pamela Anderson Lee and Tommy Lee
Internet Entertainment Group or “IEG” acquired a stolen video of then married couple Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee on their honeymoon doing at the time was considered scandalous sex acts. Thanks to the burgeoning potential of streaming video and being able to shop online,This bootleg video was quite a hot item. Of course, since this was a private home video Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee weren’t excited of about the idea of their “honeymoon hi jinks” which included them on a sailboat and Tommy Lee honking the horn…without his hands and Tommy just banging Pam like he would slam a drum kit.

2004

1 Night in Paris

In 2004, Adult Video company Red Light District acquired video footage of hotel heiress Paris Hilton and then boyfriend Rick Salomon having sex. Since this wasn’t made for release, it was just a single camera, stationed on a tripod affair that was in night vision in some parts. This video was released right before the series starring Paris Hilton and then friend Nicole Ritchie “The Simple Life” was to air on Fox. Some critics felt that this video might ruin her reputation, but, in actuality made the show and her a lot more popular.
The DVD also garnered some awards…
* 2005 AVN Awards – ‘Top Renting Release of the Year
* 2008 F.A.M.E. Awards – Favorite Celebrity Sex Tape

1 Night in China
This is a video of wrestlers Joanie “Chyna “Laurer and Sean “X-Pac” Waltman. Since “Chyna” is a named owned by WWE, Joanie and Sean did some exterior shots in China. Things were going smooth until Sean did a crotch chop at a statue of Chairman Mao. As a wrestling fan, I was excited to hear about this tape. I admit, I have a thing for built, amazonian women…I just realized I just typed that out. Why the hell am I typing what I’m thinking? Anyway, I remember I met Chyna at a signing for her debut issue in Playboy and she was genuinely sweet. So, she pretty much has a life long fan. I have mixed feelings about this tape due to the alleged abuse that Joanie was suffering during the time of the recording by the hands of Sean Waltman.
In January 2006, the film won an Adult Video News Award for the Top Selling Release of the Year.

2005

Fred Durst
Ah, the Limp Bizkit front man had a recording of him tapping various groupie ass. The video leaked from Durst’s computer. Uh yeah, not a good look.

2006

Kid Rock, Scott Stapp and 4 groupies
There’s a sex tape that included Kid Rock, Scott Stapp and 4 groupies on the tour bus. Red Light District (the one’s that also published 1 Night In Paris) was going to release this video. But, an injunction was placed by one of the girls involved and surprisingly by Kid Rock himself! Wow, you think the “Pimp of the Nation” would be more adamant about this leaking out instead of trying to suppress it.

Dustin Diamond
Dustin Diamond released a sex tape titled “Screeched.” It’s basically him having sex with bride to be Summer Price and a bridesmaid engaging in a bunch of sex acts and ends with the infamous Dirty Sanchez. I’d rather not explain what a Dirty Sanchez is, but let’s just say that the time has been colloquially known as “Save by the Smell.” There claims that this tape was a publicity stunt to raise interest in Dustin Diamond but I think this video might have backfired on him.

2007

Kim Kardashian/Ray J
I saw this video awhile back. To describe the sexual energy and exploits of Kim Kardashian and Ray J is It was like watching a black mamba get into a fight with an oyster, then the oyster losing and Kim Kardashian giving the snake CPR just to get back to round 2 and repeating until it’s a draw. Honestly, out of the celebrity sex videos i’ve seen, this was pretty good camera angle wise. I’ll tell you, I ended up meeting Ray J at this hair show in D.C. that Brandy was featured on. Talk about awkward.

2008

Verne Troyer and a former girlfriend
*blinks* Have you ever seen a Koala in a eucalyptus tree trying to get some leaves? Well, if you’ve even seen that. Then it’s basically the same as watching this video. I haven’t seen this video and really I don’t want to. Shit, I don’t even have a witty remark for this video.

Okay, I admit, this list is kind of weak. But, due to legal reasons, I’m not going to go in on the alleged sex tapes; I’m only going to use the confirmed ones. In closing, whether it’s a video that was meant to be leaked, accidentally leaked or meant to look “accidentally leaked”, we can all say that most of the times those videos serve one purpose…promotion.

Foxy Brown isn’t so Foxy…

It seems that an alleged sex tape of rapper Foxy Brown has leaked out for pubic–I mean public consumption. I’m going to blog about this whole “sex tape”/vouyer/exhibition trend I’ve noticed in a different posting. But, nowadays, does this really matter scandal wise?

Punky Reggae Party: A Primer in roots

I’ve been listening to reggae on and off since I was five years old. I remember waiting around at the neighborhood barbershop and seeing the dreaded out guy with a guitar with this amazing voice. I asked my mom who it was. She told me it was Bob Marley. That seed was planted. I had a chance to see Third World when I was seven, but due to circumstances I wasn’t able to. Years later, I guess around 14 when I was getting focused on guitar and I saw an advertisement for the Bob Marley compilation “Legend.” When I saw that commercial, it was like being introduced to an old friend. It was “Hey Sketch! Remember your friend from Jamaica, Reggae? Well, he’s back in town and wants you to show him around.” Well, during my musical awakening. I was rummaging through my dad’s CD collection and I found a copy of Bob Marley’s Legend. Total coincidence.

Now to explain to the ignorant McNugget that doesn’t understand why I’m doing something on reggae/ska on a blog that’s main focus is punk rock. Okay, 4 piece, here’s the deal. In 1977, there were a lot of British punk bands who saw reggae as an influence on there music and/or found a musical kinship with the genre.
For example, Aswad played the British punk scene, the English Beat came from friends who noticed Ska and punk being played at a party and fused together to create “The Beat.” But, for legal reasons they toured under “The English Beat” in some countries, The Clash did a cover of the Junior Murvin classic “Police and Thieves.” I can go on about this, but, the main focus is my recommendation on albums and compilations you should pick up.

Legend by Bob Marley and the Wailers

Legend is a greatest hits compilation of Bob Marley & the Wailers songs. A mix of songs that expressed love, political uprising, the struggles of people affected by African diaspora and many other topics that molded reggae into what it is now. It is the best selling reggae album of all time. In fact, it went diamond in the U.S.

Dub Reggae Essentials

When I was delving more into reggae and learning more about recording techniques. It was inevitable that I would discover dub reggae. So, I found a compilation called Dub Reggae Essentials. When I put it on my CD player, it was like looking into a parallel galaxy. But, with this galaxy, there were different planets called “dubs.”

These dubs were stripped down remixes that focused on the drum and bass of the original song. In some cases, it included a DJ toasting (toasting is like the Caribbean cousin of rapping) but was mainly instrumental. But, with the drum and bass, there were echoed remnants of guitar and keyboard chords, snare hits and whatever instrument that was prominent on the original song. This is a great primer for people that are interested in Dub. This includes mixes by Scientist, Lee Scratch Perry, King Tubby, Mikey Dread and many more producers who are pioneers in remixing, electronica and recording techniques.

Pure Reggae compilation

A basic primer that has the main artists of the reggae genre. It’s an equivalent to a cheap “how to draw cartoons” book that you would give to your niece or nephew to see if they like it in comparison to the more expensive book on cartooning that you would give them if they show interest and promise as an artist. Either way, an okay primer on pop-reggae, roots reggae, rocksteady and dancehall that contains cuts but Jimmy Cliff, Chaka Demus and Pliers (Pliers not Plies), Lord Creator and Dawn Penn.

Dancehall Xplosion 2000

Okay, this was what got me into Dancehall/Ragga. I was introduced to Red Rat, Wayne Wonder, Spragga Benz and the concept of riddims. Riddims (or as we would call ‘em “beats” stateside) are the drum and bass tracks that fuel ragga. Many DJs (or as we would call MC’s in the U.S.) toast or sing-jay over a riddim. There can be thousands of versions of one riddim. Sleng Teng, Diwali, Playground are only a few riddims that have hundreds of versions of them.

American Ska-Thic

A Compilation of mostly mid-west Ska/Punk and third wave ska revival bands with cover artwork by my buddy Evan Dorkin. On this compilation, you have a buch of great stuff from bands like Mustard Plug, The Toasters, Johnny Socko and Gangster Fun to name a few. I loved this compilation.

Living Colour Restored My Faith in Rock

by John M. Ellison IV

*Cue up the “24″ theme* Around 9:30 pm Friday night sept. 11th 2009. My dad’s longtime friend and co-hort Ernie mentioned that legendary rock band Living Colour was going to be in the area doing a gig. Since the Missus was at the computer, I asked her to look up Living Colour in Maryland. She found their Myspace page and it mentioned that they were going to be at Ram’s Head Tavern in Annapolis, MD. Being the “anti-social” recluse I can be at times, I don’t go to shows that often. But, for Living Colour, I had to put my neurosis aside and see if I could get to this show. This was a situation that I wouldn’t regret. The show was nearly sold out; there were only 6 tickets left after the Missus and I got ours.

We arrived at Ram’s Head Tavern around 7:30 PM. For those who haven’t been to Ram’s Head Tavern, Ram’s Head has an intimate, assigned seating, dinner and a show format setup. Which, is quite different from the more contemporary standing room, “prepare to mosh and skank” atmosphere a la CBGBs and most other venues. We found our table and ordered dinner. While checking out our surrounding, I noticed a lot of Curtis Mayfield playing throughout the P.A. system. There was a diverse crowd of people which included old school Black rockers wearing Jimi Hendrix tees, a lot of folks looking to be “yuppies” and guys wearing “Harley Davidson” T-shirts, but who didn’t exactly scream biker. My first thought was “…Are these guys regulars here?” and “Do they know what’s in store for them?” But, listening closer, I heard one of the “yuppies” praising the fusion of genres by bands such as Fishbone and Living Colour. Another couple sat down at the table next to the Missus and I. I asked them, “Excuse me, are you two here often?” however, like us, it was their first time at Ram’s Head as well. Also, later on during one of the interludes, Also, Corey made a reference to the “dinner and a show” format by jokingly referring to the performance as “Dinner Metal”

I didn’t get there name’s so we’ll just call them “Brad” and “Lisa.” “Brad” was this dude that looked like he was about business…but, when it came to kickin’ out the jams, he knew how to kick back when needed. In fact, during the night, the more he drank he talked of business deals to “Lisa.” But we spoke and I was impressed by his knowledge of Living Colour and even liked Corey’s R&B album. I then realized that those “yuppies” that surrounded me were here for the band. They weren’t in the wrong place getting “shit faced.”

I committed one of the cardinal sins in music, I judged on looks instead of character. Something that we have to quit doing.

At 8:28, The band walked onto the stage, the crowd cheered until it was a distorted mass. Corey does a quick rap to the audience and to add to the “fusion” theme, an animated psychedelic image was projected throughout the show. The band opened with “Desperate People”, which blasted from the gate thrash, and went into a heavy groove that’s made for moshing or for the dance floor. Along with Vernon’s virtuoso guitar playing, and Will and Doug’s sporadic blasts of fusion drum and bass virtuosity throughout the song, made this live version mind blowing.

The band seamlessly segued into “Type”, which transformed from a rocker into a psychedelic dub/fusion jam with Corey Glover sounding like Eddy Grant.
It was a heavy swinging rendition of “Ignorance is Bliss” with a blast of Thrash and old school Gospel.

Corey then started a call and response chant with him saying “Everybody!” The audience replied “Everybody!” and when the crowd was enough into the groove, they went into there “Bi.” For those who don’t know, “Bi” is a funky ode to bi sexuality, but the coolest part of this performance was when the crowd popped in applause and cheering for this awesome guitar soloing. At further notice, I realized this soloing wasn’t the six string fret work of Vernon Reid, but it was Doug Wimbush shredding on bass and walking through the audience exhibiting his skill!

As the rest of the band took five, Will Calhoun got to do a set that exhibited his furious drum chops that were reminiscent of Billy Cobham. Throughout the set, Vernon set up some “four to the floor” techno drum loops off his laptop. So, you had Will just blasting away these splinter inducing poly rhythms that sounded like a machine gun and was just as intense as said weapon.

The set up kind of reminded me of The Black Page No. 2 off of “Zappa in New York.” Along with the techno drum loop, Doug’s drum sticks had these neon flashing lights in them that gave him the, as I call it, “Funky Raver” look. At the rate of speed of Calhoun’s drumming, all you could see was a neon blur and the sound of Doug beating the drums like it owed him money!

Then, the drumming was complimented by synth pads, and it segued into the touching “Letter to the Landlord.” While Corey was doing this long sentimental “takin’ it to chuch” vocal dexterity, Corey’s vocals were almost unearthly. In the breakdown, the audience was singing, and we felt like we were sharing one consciousness and better off for it.

After playing the classics of there repertoire, Corey was talking about the new album “Chair In The Doorway.” As a treat, instead of playing a few cuts off of it, they played the album entirety for us. For those who haven’t heard it, the album has a grimier texture, a bit darker, but still melodic. It sounded like a mash up of 70’s Black Sabbath and Funkadelic, produced by Trent Reznor.

After the album, there’s a clip of a politician was making a speech being played. By the time the audience realized what it was, the band breaks into the classic “Cult of Personality.” To describe how the audience reacted, saying “they went crazy” would be an understatement. The audience went batshit psycho! Everyone got out of there chairs and started jamming out. They ended the show with the appropriate cover of The Clash‘s classic “Should I Stay Or Should I Go Now?” The guys jammed on it, in an A/B pattern of Funky, Thrashing, Funky, Thrashing and a nu-metal-ish breakdown. Afterwards, they announced that you could buy the album at the merchandise table and they were signing autographs as well.

Without hesitating, the missus and I made it to the line. While waiting to get an autograph, a few attendees and people that worked with the band noticed and complimented me on my Afro-Punk shirt that I was proudly wearing for this event. For those who don’t know, Afro-Punk is a documentary that was released in 2003 that interviewed Afro-Americans in the punk scene. Afro-Punk also has a website, that really has grown into a phenomenon of it’s own. Some of those who noticed my shirt had seen the movie and after many compliments I mentioned that I was a prominent member of the board. There were those who didn’t know exactly what Afro-Punk was about, so I answered some questions about the site.

Throwing up the P-Funk/Horns etc. sign

Then, I had the chance to get a photo and an autograph with the band. Totally moment of truth. After the traditional exchange of “hellos” Vernon proceeded to sign my notebook. As Vernon was signing my notebook, I mentioned to Vernon that we have a few mutual friends, such as my dad was really good friends Greg Tate co-founder of the Black Rock Coalition (which Vernon is also the co-founder of), My dad and Greg were in high school together and saw Miles Davis live. I also mentioned, I’m close with Boston Fielder of Muthawit and the popular UrbAlt festival.

There was so much I wanted to say to everyone. But, out of consideration to the other fans that were waiting in line, I kept it brief. I said what I wanted to say and the missus and I headed back home. Bottom line, Living Colour restored my faith in music.

Kudos to Kanye West!

Give that award to Beyonce you Hoedown Hoochie!

Okay, I was watching the 2009 Video Music Awards yesterday. Yeah, I know “MTV’s not punk, etc. blah blah blah” Trust me, I wasn’t watching for the sake music. Aside from the Michael Jackson tribute and Russell Brand, I like watching the potential fuck ups of live TV. In this case, I’m glad I watched. I loved Kanye’s interruption of Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech. Everyone has been giving Kanye a lot of shit over his actions at the VMAs. But, this wasn’t about Kanye. This was a combination of alcohol, loyalty and speaking your mind …thanks to alcohol.

Okay, we can agree heckling and interrupting someone while speaking is rude. But, notice what Kanye said though “I’m sorry, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time.” Due to the events in Kanye’s life, it’s been reported that Beyonce and Jay-Z were there for him through these struggles. Not as Beyonce and Jigga (Jay-Z), but as people helping a friend in emotional turmoil. I’ve noticed everyone saying that was selfish of him (Kanye West) to interrupt Taylor Swift’s speech. But, he didn’t do it for him; Kanye was doing this out of loyalty for a dear friend of his. So, I salute Kanye and his traditional Heel interruption of Taylor Swift’s speech.

Oh yeah, if it turns out that this was a “Work“, then kudos to Taylor Swift, Kanye West and whoever was involved in this pro wrestling-style prank.

Nobody likes a heckler…

Anyone Notice a Family Resemblance

I’m kind of late on this, but, I have to say something. S. Carolina Rep. Jim Wilson

On Sept. 9th 2009, Pres. Barack Obama addressed a joint session of congress to outline his proposal for reforming health care. As you probably know, Health Care Reform has been a hot button issue as of late. During his address, Pres. Obama said:
“There are also those who claim that our reform effort will insure illegal immigrants. This, too, is false – the reforms I’m proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally.”

After that, there was a shout. The words became clearer, Jim Wilson shouted “YOU LIE!” Rep. Wilson’s allies and opponets were stunned by the outburts.

Okay, this outburst wouldn’t even have been acceptable by a drunken heckler at a comedy club. In fact, at the comedy club, a good comedian can just embarass the offending heckler publically with a great one liner or just cuss you out like George Carlin. But, you being Rep. Jim Wilson, “family man”, “sober” “Mr. Moralilty mofo” it’s unacceptable.

Between various embarassments to the Republican party, like Sarah Palin just being Sarah Palin, RNC Chairman Michael Steele thinking that offering hip-hop and soul food as incentive to get black people to come to the RNC. To make it even more clear…when you have Sen. John McCain more or less scolding you in the press, you know you fucked up. Just an after though, although I know Pres. Obama would take the high road, I really wouldn’t have mind some good ol’ fashioned signifyin’ from the funky president.