To all the great people that I had the chance to meet online and offline or got to catch up with - thank you so much for everything - and to all those I've met throughout the years - it's just been a lot of fun, and I've learned so much from an amazing community. While this place won't see a next year (because it's just time) I'm sure I won't be able to stay away from something, so maybe I'll see you around (unless I get incredibly and extremely lazy which could happen and if that is the case, when you see me at the buffet, feel free to say hi or wave because I'm not mean - I won't eat you).
Much Love is an exploration of all the places and ways that we look for love - and how we find, or fail at it. Guest vocalists include Kevin Lien, among others, with much of the production coming from Elyon Beats (who also worked with Gowe on his recent Summer Breeze Sonatas).
Much Love is streaming at http://grandmaster.bandcamp.com, with full lyrics on the site; physical and digital copies are also available for purchase and download.
HOME FOR THE HOLLA'DAYS 3
DECEMBER 22, 2012 | SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY CONCERT MUSIC HALL
6:30-9:30PM | $25 GENERAL ADMISSION | $15 STUDENTS + SENIORS
FEATURING
Magnetic North
Taiyo Na
Vudoo Soul
Sam Kang
Cynthia Lin
Rachel Lastimosa
WITH THE HOLLA'DAYS HOUSE BAND
Charles Kim, David Kong, Scooter Oyama, Abraham Kim, Jonathan Lee
Home for the Holla'Days 3 marks the return of the concert series to the Bay Area. With some new faces and a brand new concert format focused on musical narratives, this year's show is the perfect place for celebrating the holidays with music, art and giving back.
As always, 100% of the proceeds from the concert will be donated to charity. Holla'Days 3 will donate all funds raised to Aid To Children Without Parents (ACWP), an organization focused on saving children at risk of sexual trafficking.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 17, 2012
Statement by the President on the Passing of Senator Daniel Inouye
Tonight, our country has lost a true American hero with the passing of Senator Daniel Inouye. The second-longest serving Senator in the history of the chamber, Danny represented the people of Hawaii in Congress from the moment they joined the Union. In Washington, he worked to strengthen our military, forge bipartisan consensus, and hold those of us in government accountable to the people we were elected to serve. But it was his incredible bravery during World War II – including one heroic effort that cost him his arm but earned him the Medal of Honor – that made Danny not just a colleague and a mentor, but someone revered by all of us lucky enough to know him. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Inouye family.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Vice President
________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 17, 2012
Statement by Vice President Biden on the Passing of Senator Daniel Inouye
As my mother would say, the greatest virtue of all is courage, and Danny was courage personified. From the battlefields of World War II where he received the Medal of Honor, to the floor of the United States Senate where he displayed incredible moral bravery, he was always the same – courageous and resolute. He was one of the most honorable men I ever met in my life, and one of the best friends you could hope for. He was honest, and fiercely loyal, and I trusted him absolutely.
Everyone in the Senate not only admired Danny Inouye, but they trusted him. We all knew he would do the moral thing regardless of the consequences – whether it was passing judgment on a President during Watergate or on another President in the Iran Contra hearings. And Danny always remembered where he came from – and how hard his family had to struggle. From having to fight for the right to fight for his country in the all Japanese-American 442nd, to his keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention in 1968, he always spoke of the country’s struggles with racism and bias, and his call for a “new era of politics.” And to his dying day, he fought for a new era of politics where all men and women are treated with equality.
Above all, Danny was my friend, and Jill and I are praying for his entire family today.
The video captures Jhameel's raw emotionality as he watches a loved one crushed under the weight of an abusive relationship. "Shadow of a Man" was directed, shot, conceptualized, and edited in-house by Jhameel and his team with no outside support or funding, making it a fully independent project. The video was shot amidst the wrecked and abandoned buildings of Salton City, a desolate California ghost town left to decay by its inhabitants in the 1970's.
With the origins of the band starting in 2003/2004 (pushing their music into the forefront more seriously in 2008) by member Loe (AKA Loerider) OnFire Ent is a collaborative group with members located in different parts of the country, bringing together the individual stylings of its core group, while also incorporating new collaborators into their musical family.
Rocky: I am influenced and inspired by everyday life, especially by my family and real life situations. Yes I have had musical idols I grew up mimicking but I wanted to create my own story and sound. I am a songwriter first, so all types of genres of music have helped shape what I do today.
Mike: Well known artists such as Chris Brown, Neyo, Lloyd, Trey Songz keeps that drive goin' for me. But also, past artists I’ve listened to my whole career as an artist.
L-dubs: My family. Revolutionary artists like Kanye West, Jay-Z, Eminem, Dr. Dre. New artists that do revolutionary music like Kendrick Lamar, J.Cole, Macklemore. I also take a lot from pop music so I also analyze works from Dr. Luke, Stargate and Max Martin.
Loe: My son first and foremost. Then my family and friends. Musically old influences were Tupac, Mitchy Slick, The Game, Juelz Santana, Lil Wayne. New influences, Meek Mill, A$AP Rocky, Kid Ink, Mac Miller, Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Drake, Jay Rock, and YG.
What Other Musicians/Producers/Artists Would You Like To Work With?
Jargon: Mainstream- It would be a dream to work with Lauren Hill or Ma$e. A youtube singer I look forward to working with is Emmalyn Estrada.
Rocky: I am really opt to collab with just about everyone, but the business and song have to fit my style. As far as major artists/producers, I would really love to work with Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Andre 3000, Robin Thicke, Frank Ocean, and Prince. On an indie level, I am a fan of Mackelmore and Allen Stone, who are from my home state. I am not all the way integrated into the YouTube community and am relatively unknown but my Onfire boys tend to keep me in the loop. Actually I found out about Mackelmore and Allen Stine from YouTube.
Mike: Chris Brown and Trey Songz!
L-Dubs: YouTube wise, it'd be dope to get a collab with D-Pryde. Mainstream wise, I personally want to work with Carly Rae Jepsen, Keri Hilson and Jhene Aiko. Not the typical answers but it'd be really dope to get one of them on the hook for one of our joints. Rappers I would want to collab with would be the usual (Kanye, Jay, Drake, 2 Chainz, Kendrick and J.Cole) Producers I would want to collab with would be Mike Will Made It, Just Blaze, Boi-1Da, 40, Redfoo, Dr. Luke, Stargate and Max Martin.
Loe: Mainstream wise: Mitchy Slick, Meek Mill, A$AP, and Drake.
Youtube wise: I would love to do a song with Erica David and Maribelle Anes
Who Have You Enjoyed Collaborating With?
Jargon: Tommy C. who pretty much birthed my career. In the end, I will owe it all to him. J.Reyez is a very talented artist who has time and time again brought our collabs to the next level. Ben One is another one I worked with on a record called Tell Me Why; he is an amazing artist all around. Mike Musni is like my right hand man. Although we don’t have many songs together, we work on tons of music side by side helping one another out.
Rocky: First and foremost I really enjoy working on collab projects with my brothers from OnFire Ent. Yes I am my own separate entity, but they have helped me develop another arsenal to my repertoire, and give me the creative freedom to express myself through any style especially rap. I am a R&B/soul singer at heart but they give me the confidence to do certain type of singing rap verses and choruses that you find competitive and marketable in today's music. They trust my artistry and we just work well together. As far as YouTube goes, I haven't had the pleasure to work with many well known indie acts. The few that I have worked with have been great, especially Lil Crazed and Michelle Martinez, who I have gotten to know quite well. I am all about building relationships. In the major market, I have worked with Grammy Award winning platinum producers Tha Bizness (T-Pain, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Drake) producers Kuddie Fresh and Illoquint, and platinum songwriter Smitty. I have also penned songs for Twista, PitBull, and YMCMB, which have been wonderful experiences.
Mike: I’ve enjoyed working with the homies Onfire Ent. when it comes to layin down tracks in the studio, performing on stage, shoot’n video’s or just hangin out. I’ve also enjoyed working with other various Youtube artists within the past 2 yrs.
L-Dubs: We just did a joint with Michelle Martinez that's super dope. Be on the lookout for the video dropping very soon. We've also done collabs with Lil Crazed and Erin Paula that were great. Derez is also an artist who whenever we needed a dope verse was super quick to get back at us with some heat.
Loe: I would have to agree with everyone above! Favorite collab: ‘It Girl’ cover featuring Me, L-Dubs, Jargon, and Tommy C with J. Reyez as the videographer and special guest appearances with everyone from D-Pryde, Andrew Garcia, Erin Paula, Michelle Martinez, Lil Crazed, and more!
Ongoing Projects
Jargon: Aside from OnFire, I am currently working with Makers, a collab group with J.Reyez, Tommy C, and Gamble managed by Dennis Troung of Nu- Lite Entertainment.
Rocky: 2013 is going to be an even bigger year. 3 brand new projects...as well as a mini tour, and the continuation of the LNO tour.
Mike: Currently working with Onfire Ent on a few tracks. Setting up new home studio.
L-Dubs and Loe: Me and Loe are thinking of starting a food truck in the next couple years! Kung Pao Shrimp and Grits, Pulled Pork Lumpia, Ox-Tail Banh-Mi, Sriracha Lime Chicken and Waffles.. who want it?! All partial joking aside, look out for Sex, Drugs, Rap and Soul; Red, White, Black; and The ONFIRE ENT Collective Project to be named soon!!!
The only reason I seem to be posting this was because I was catching up on some news, and who knew that just four days ago there was something called the World Pole Dancing Championships...which made me have the following thoughts:
One is that I was just amazed that such a contest was going on.
Two is that I'm kind of sad I wasn't able to attend (and no, that doesn't make me a pervert, in fact, I can think of many other things if I admitted to liking that would actually make me a pervert) - I'd just be curious to see what the arena looked like and if they had a special pole for the championship - was it gold plated and 100 ft tall that competitors had to scale?).
And three - who knew CBS would describe it like this:
The public's perception of pole dancing has recently changed to become a popular sport combining physical strength, technique and choreography.
Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana fiercely shot back at Mitt Romney’s claim Wednesday that President Barack Obama outmatched the 2012 Republican presidential nominee by offering "gifts" to African-Americans, Hispanics and young voters.
“I absolutely reject that notion,” Jindal, who was a surrogate for Romney’s campaign, said at the Republican Governors Association conference in Las Vegas. “I think that's absolutely wrong.” ... “I don't think that represents where we are as a party and where we're going as a party,” he continued. “That has got to be one of the most fundamental takeaways from this election.”
If you're looking for the 2008 In Review Posts, the link list has been moved out, but you can still get to them all by following this link which pulls them up by label (they'll be in reverse so go to the oldest post to read them in order).
2007 In Review Posts
If you're looking for the 2007 In Review Posts, the link list has been moved out, but you can still get to them all by following this link which pulls them up by label (they'll be in reverse so go to the oldest post to read them in order).
