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A friend of mine is going through a lot right now…
Hey folks, a friend of mine is going through some issues right now and is looking for some help with some obstacles that life has tossed at her. Here’s what’s going on with a long time friend of mine…
I have never been one to complain about my life and i have always tried to live by doing things for myself and others and just making it work. We have all been there. I hope that this letter will not sound strange, but I really need some help. I left a very bad marriage, with the skin of my teeth (thank god), and i have move back home to get my life back together, but it came at some major costs. 
I lost everything. Medically, I am going blind in one eye, and my health isnt all that great either. He left me financially ruined and didnt find this out until after I left. This is ok, but now I need help, so I am asking everyone if you can find in your heart to help me, to only send me only 5 dollars and words of encouragement please. I know that these are tough times, so I am only asking for 5 $. If you have more, then great, but thats all my heart will allow to ask. I have get my divorce, car fixed asap, so that i can work, (i work a hour away from my house) and my windsheild is cracked. I have already been stopped about it, so I am desperated and scared about it. Anyone needing proof, I will gladly give. I believe that God is real and he will help me, but I am also asking my friends for help as well. Thank you again for any help that i can recieve.
So, if you’re willing $5 and a prayer, contact me for more information on how you can help. Peace.
30
My tribute to Gil Scott-Heron by John M. Ellison IV
I’ve been staring at the screen for an hour right now trying to say the right words that would pay tribute to Gil Scott-Heron. After just staring into the screen realizing I just wasted an hour I just decided to just shut up and let the music do the talking instead. In no particular order, here are a few of my favorite Gil Scott-Heron pieces.
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
Ain’t No New Thang
Who Will Pay Reparations on My Soul
Comment #1
The Bottle
Home is Where the Hatred Is
It’s Your World
Ain’t No Such Thing As Superman
Winter in America
We Almost Lost Detroit
Angeldust
Whitey on the Moon
Johannesburg
We Beg Your Pardon
Don’t Give Up
Messsage to the Messengers
I’m New Here
B Movie
Is That Jazz
Me and the Devil
To every rocker and rapper who paid tribute over this weekend, I thank you for doing your homework.
26
Kharma’s WHAT?! by John M. Ellison IV
On the May 23, 2011 edition of Monday Night RAW, there was an eight Diva tag team match where Khama (real name Kia Stevens) made her way to the ring and is expected to come in and clean house as it were…then in a confusing move she starts breaking down in tears much to the confusion of fans. This was one of those rare moments (usually about five times a year) in WWE where I actually questioned for a few minutes if this was legit or a real breakdown. I’m thinking “oh crap, is she going *Chappelle on us?”
After the motley crew of fans colloquially known as the “IWC” (or Internet Wrestling Community) speculated on what’s going on backstage, the most popular rumor right now is that she’s expecting and going to be out for 9 months. *Fred Schneider voice* SHE’S WHAT?! Actually, I have no idea if she is or not, I just felt it was an opportunity to break out a “Love Shack” reference. Aside from pregnancy, other blogs are reporting that her back issues flared up. I understand that she’s had back issues and I even checked on her about this back in the days of Myspace and when she was wrestling under the name Awesome Kong in TNA. She was grateful for my concern. Unfortunately, due to Myspace kind of falling by the waste side we lost contact.
If it’s true about Stevens being with child, I’m going to be respectful and not pry into details about it…okay, that sounded a lot better thought than typed.
Like most of these stories, none of them have been confirmed by Stevens herself so until she speaks on the issue we can only speculate and wait.
Also, if it turns out that she’s pregnant…let it be on record that “the missus” called it.
*Chappelle is a term that I use that for any celebrity that cracks under pressure during a high stakes moment.
24
New Jack on Dumbass Fans by John M. Ellison IV
As some of you guys know by now, I’m a wrestling fan. No, you’re not going to see me in the ring anytime soon. If anything, I’d be a lot more interested in composing music like WWE’s Jim Johnston, ECW’s Harry Slash or TNA’s Dave Oliver and or “color commentary” (ex. Jerry “the King” Lawler, Tazz, Booker T etc.) ….and writing obviously. In this case I’m going to do a wrestling theme this week.
Check out this video with one of my favorite wrestlers from 90’s Philly based wrestling promotion ECW New Jack (real name Jerome Young) talking about idiotic fans that get the crap beat out of ‘em for trying him and other wrestlers outside the ring. Peace.
23
Randy Savage tribute by John M. Ellison IV
On May 20th 2011, the world lost charasmatic pro wrestler “Macho Man” Randy Savage (real name Randall Mario Poffo) in a car accident in Seminole, Florida. He was 58 years old. His wife Lynn was also in the car but received minor injuries. The shocking loss has caused an outpouring of emotion from ranging from hardcore wrestling fans, casual fans to even people who haven’t watched wrestling since the 80’s. We’ve truly lost an icon and gained a legend.
My deepest condolences to all who knew him personally and professionally.
“Macho Man” Randy Savage vs Tito Santana Intercontinential Title match.
“Macho Man” Randy Savage vs Ricky Steamboat Wrestlemania III
“…And the Beat Goes On” promo
20
Ideal backing band for my Sketch Malkus project by John M. Ellison IV
Musically, I do a style of instrumetal rock that fuses elements of post-punk, industrial, grunge, funk, reggae, post-hardcore, jazz and electronic. It varies from album though, for example the “Treacherous Cretins” album is something that I’ve referred to as “Urban Industrial.” With this next album coming out called “The Jester” I’m going for something heavier yet still melodic.
I’ve been thinking about starting a backing band to play around the D.C./MD/VA area in promotion of “Treacherous Cretins.” Notice the key word “THINKING” this isn’t a definite at all. But, if I ever decided to create a backing band, here are some traits that I would look for in fellow musicians…
In a bassist, I would look for somebody that can hold a groove but can “rock out” as well.
In a drummer, I would need somebody versed in jazz and rock would be preferred to. Their job wouldn’t be that tough because they would be playing to beats that I’ve programmed and more accentuating and complimenting it with fills.
In an additional guitar player, I’m looking for somebody that could throw in quick blues-y fills and play can play rhythm guitar.
Even though the lead lines are melodic and singable, I’m not too big on vocals. But, I wouldn’t mind having somebody that’s like a hype man to tell the audience what the song is called.
I write parts that are flexible enough so other musicians can feel welcome to take liberties with it.
In closing, another important quality is that you really have to enjoy what you’re playing with this project. peace.
19
Verbal Phantom feature by John M. Ellison IV
Hey folks! Just finally getting to featuring a promising emcee out of Jersey by the name of Verbal Phantom. I’ve been meaning to feature his work since earlier this year but time constraints have been an issue. I don’t know where to start with this guy lyrically. Check him out ripping the “Yonkers” beat by Tyler, the Creator and some more spoken word type flow over “Runaway” by Kanye West. He shows a lot of promise. Peace.
Verbal Phanton-”Runaway”
16
“Easy Friend”-SketchofMD by John M. Ellison IV
“…Okay what were you thinking about when you decided to do a club mix of ‘About a Girl’ by Nirvana?!” Simple answer “…why not?” I’ve been meaning to do get back to some of my side projects and one of ‘em includes my variant of a style of dance music called “Baltimore Club” that I call “ghetto groove or hood house.”
I was inspired by another mix of “About a Girl” that I can’t find anywhere so to kind of appease my need to hear this mix I created my own mix. Hope you enjoy, peace.
13
Bad Rabbits-1979 (Smashing Pumpkins cover) review by John M. Ellison IV
Some of you are probably thinking “R&B Covers of rock songs? Great! First it was rap-rock and now R&B rock!” Yeah…this isn’t necessarily a new phenomenon. I mean for example, Neo-Soul artist Maxwell performed a funkier version of the Nine Inch Nails staple “Closer” or Maxwell’s version titled “Gotta Get Closer.” If you don’t believe that this exists, just Youtube it and set your face to “stunned.”
Well, in this case I’m going to focus on Boston, MA band that’s style mixes rock with tinges of 90’s R&B that the band dubbed “New ‘Crack’ Swing.”
You’re probably thinking “Wait, a cover of “1979” by a band who sounds like Teddy Riley on a rock bender? How does that sound?” Well, they made it their own but still stayed faithful to the original. Singer Dua Boayke’s vocal kind of brings a lounge-y feel that actually gives the song another depth. The keyboards and synthesizer sweetens this cover giving it a more R&B/chill feel.
In closing, Bad Rabbits cover of “1979” had to grow on me. But for anybody into R&B that wants to expand their musical horizons, Bad Rabbits should be a good place to start. Oh by the way, to any Smashing Pumpkins purists who might be in a snit because a band did a cover of “1979″…Billy Corrigan (of the Smashing Pumpkins) probably digs the cover because it’s up on the Smashing Pumpkins official Facebook page.
12
Bad Rabbits-1979 (Smashing Pumpkins cover) feature by John M. Ellison IV
When I first heard about the Boston,MA band “Bad Rabbits” and their hybrid of funk, new jack swing and rock they called “new crack swing” I was hooked…no pun intended. Anyway, here’s a brief feature on their cover of the Smashing Pumpkins classic “1979.” I’ll write a more detailed one later.
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