Erykah Badu: Are We Still Friends?

Um, okay so you know as soon as the new E. Badu shizzle dropped, I was up on the internets downloading it. I couldn’t get it on my iPod fast enough. I’ve been a loyal fan for years…but I have to say that her newest offering has left me with some mixed emotions.

Erykah has always appealed to my sense of realism: realism in femininity, relationships, and life. Lyrics like, “This is how I look without makeup…..but I’m cleva….I got a little pot in my belly…but I’m cleva…” made me realize that life is full of physical and emotional imperfections, but that you can also take those imperfections and capitalize on them. It put us on common ground. And paired with brilliant musical backdrops – it was perfect. She seriously spoke to me. I can completely validate LC’s lezzie crush. Word.

But as I’m listening to the new album, I have to admit I feel a bit alienated and conflicted. It should be a goal of every artist to obtain and deepen spiritual, intellectual, and emotional realization (I’m into that shit more than you know and its certainly one of my goals). And its fulfilling when you have the type of connection with an artist where you feel like you’re growing with them and you’re on the same page – a symbiotic relationship of realization, so to speak (cuz I like to think she gets something out of it, too). It was kind of like that with Erykah and me. We were like that. But, damn, now its like we’re growing apart. In New Amerykah, Pt. 1, Erykah gets all controversial and political on me. And I was a bit shocked. Its like that time when George Michael came out and told everyone that he really was gay. I mean, we all had an idea, right? He certainly wasn’t getting one over on me as he danced in pink leggings and keds and sang, “Wake me up before you go go” (and the sex scandal didn’t help much either). But I was still like, Wow – why tell everyone now? Everyone knew anyway. It just makes shit a little awkward.

Well, I just have to say it: Erykah’s shout out to Louis Farrakhan in her track titled, “Me” just made things a little awkward between the two of us. I’m not even sure I know how to comment on the situation – I’m always so worried about offending someone…and the truth of it is, I really have no beef with people from different backgrounds and cultures. I work hard to embrace it. So, maybe I should be giving her props for being true to what she believes and having the guts to tell everyone…but it doesn’t change the fact that I do not share her views and do not support Louis Farrakhan and what he stands for. I just can’t relate. If she had given props to the Dalai Lama or Mother Theresa, I wouldn’t be writing this.

Of course, the big question in my mind is: is it okay for me to still like her music? All this said, 80% of her album still appeals to my sense and sensibilities. “Master Teacher” breaks it down in her classic way, talkin ‘bout transcendence and knowledge….and then she gets all down-tempo about 3 minutes in to the song (and suddenly, there goes Fluff shakin her booty without a care in the world, singing, “I stay woke”). In “Honey,” she likens her love interest to a cup of warm tea with a “lil lemon.” Mmmm…and that just warms me right up. She features Common on one track (barely, but he’s there), and gives a much-respected BIG UP to J Dilla on two of her tracks (maybe the whole album is in his dedication?). And that leaves me thinking to myself, “This some good shit…I don’t want to give it up.”

Erykah, Erykah - I feel like we have come so far together – I don’t know if I’m ready to walk away…..

I decided and it really comes down to this (and I would say this to Erykah if I could call her up on the phone right now): “Girl, we been through a lot together. You’re an amazing artist and I love you like my own sister…but I gotta shoot you straight. I can’t get down with this new political shit you’re into. We gon’ have to agree to disagree. I respect your opinions and your talents, and I just hope you will do the same for me…..but most importantly – I hope we can still be friends.”

I refuse to be one of those righteous mother effers who are, like, so wrapped up in the lyrics that they can’t enjoy a good song for its musicianship and “groove-ability.” Ya know? Lighten up, right? (This goes for me, too).

I still got love for you BADU!


Love,

Fluffs

p.s. – feedback is welcomed and appreciated, ya’ll….comment away!

Catch up with Mild Davis at SXSW

Mild Davis works for Yep Roc Records so he has a free ride to SXSW and gets to throw parties, drink free beer and eat free BBQ just like the artists below, poor guy (fucker!!!!!!). So swing by and tell him Lady and Fluff sent you.

PS. He will also be taking lots of pix and forcing interviews for our blog so watch out for those post-SXSW.

SXSW Fill-in-the-blanks with Guilty Simpson

1. The freshest piece of gear I’m going to rock at SxSW this year will be my dilla/big proof new era hat.

2. To kill the many hours in the van on the way to TX, we’re going to bring music.

3. I will stand in line for hours to see no one this year.

4. Texas BBQ and Lonestar Beer makes me want to stay in Texas. Especially if it’s free!

5. The more free beer I drink, the more likely I am to rock the spot.

6. With all the free stuff from corporate sponsors this year, I really hope to get my hands on a new ipod.

7. If I see someone wearing pink in Austin, I’m going to walk up to them and hit them in the mouth.

8. If I see someone wearing a Guilty shirt in Austin, I’m going to walk up to them and hug them.

9. Don’t tell nobody, but I heard a rumor that Billy Ocean will be playing a secret show at Stubb’s. Shhhhhh!

10. What happens in Austin, happened in Austin.

SXSW Show

Wednesday, March 12, 11:40 pm, Habana Annex Backyard, 708 E. 6th Street

Check him out:

www.stonesthrow.com/guiltysimpson

www.myspace.com/guiltysimpson

Trend of the Week - Vegan Cupcakes

They’re taking the world by storm…well, at least NYC by storm. There’s even a whole cookbook dedicated to them. Pretty soon, vegan cupcakes will be as ubiquitous as veggie burgers (LC hopes so anyway). BUT – I have to say that I am pretty excited to jump on this train to confectionary nirvana – most bakeries that offer vegan cupcakes here in the city also have other health-conscious variations, such as cupcakes free of processed sugars or grains….and my personal fave: the WHEAT-free versions (I’m allergic to wheat). Bakeries like Babycakes NYC (http://www.babycakesnyc.com/) offer sugar free, vegan, and wheat free cupcakes, cookies, and cakes. Take that, Hostess!!

Love,

Fluffa

SXSW Fill-In-The-Blanks with CunninLynguists and Cap D

Kno of CunninLynguists

1. The freshest piece of gear I’m going to rock at SxSW this year will be my Teen Wolf Swatch Watch.

2. To kill the 0 hours in the van on the way to TX, we’re going to bring a plane.

3. I will stand in line for hours to see the bottom of a urinal this year.

4. Texas BBQ and Lonestar Beer makes me poop uncontrollably, especially if it’s free!

5. The more free beer I drink, the more likely I am to end up naked and dead in a deserted Austin street.

6. With all the free stuff from corporate sponsors this year, I really hope to get my hands on hand sanitizer.

7. If I see someone wearing a 'Hit Me In The Mouth!' shirt in Austin, I’m going to walk up to them and hit them in the mouth.

8. If I see someone wearing a 'Hug Me!' tank top in Austin, I’m going to walk up to them and hug them.

9. Don’t tell nobody, but I heard a rumor that Tupac will be playing a secret show at Stubb’s. Shhhhhh!

10. What happens in Austin, happened in Austin.

Check out Their Myspace

SXSW Shows

March, 13 2008 at SXSW [with The Donnas] TBA, Austin, TX, 73301Cost : TBA
Red Eye Distribution Party @ 3PM - Dirty Dog Bar - Dirty - 505 E. 6th St. - FREE SHOW! OPEN ENTRY!

March, 14 2008 at SXSW TBA, Austin, TX, 73301Cost : TBA

March, 15 2008 at SXSW [with Camp Lo] TBA, Austin, TX, 73301Cost : TBA
Prague @ 9PM

Cap D

1. The freshest piece of gear I’m going to rock at SxSW this year will be my RHYMES.

2. To kill the hours in the van on the way to TX, we’re going to CATCH A FLIGHT.

3. I will stand in line for hours to see A UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS B-BALL GAME this year.

4. Texas BBQ and Lonestar Beer makes me A VEGETARIAN. Especially if it’s free!

5. The more free beer I drink, the more likely I am to WISH I HADN'T.

6. With all the free stuff from corporate sponsors this year, I really hope to get my hands on A GARBAGE CAN.

7. If I see someone wearing A COWBOY HAT in Austin, I’m going to walk up to them and hit them in the mouth.

8. If I see someone wearing A T. J. FORD AUTHENTIC in Austin, I’m going to walk up to them and hug them.

9. Don’t tell nobody, but I heard a rumor that YO MAMA will be playing a secret show at Stubb’s. Shhhhhh!

10. What happens in Austin, BLOWS UP WORLDWIDE AND ALSO in Austin.

Check out his Myspace

Bloodbath McGrath

Okay, I thought I was going to be a little devious while LC was out of town (she’s in HOT-lanta right now with the fam). There’s this artist that a “friend” introduced me to a few years back, and I was absolutely delighted by her creepy, dead animal-esque creations from the moment I saw them. Check out her galleries here – http://www.elizabethmcgrath.com/. Now, I thought her stuff was made out of real, dead animals, so you can see how I thought LC was going to flip out (being how she’s ex-PETA and all)…turns out that she uses fake leather, fur and all types of creepy accoutrements to sculpt her ghastly dolls and dioramas. Put the vegan propaganda away, LC. She also paints rusty butchers knives and sells them as gifts in her gift shop. How freakin cool is that??

Love,

Fluffers

SXSW Fill-In-The-Blanks with Astronautalis and Luckyiam

1. The freshest piece of gear I’m going to rock at SxSW this year will be my _my teeth_.

2. To kill the _3_ hours in the van on the way to TX, we’re going to bring _smallpox_.

3. I will stand in line for hours to see _dolly parton & van morrison_ this year.

4. Texas BBQ and Lonestar Beer makes me _quit school_. Especially if it’s free!

5. The more free beer I drink, the more likely I am to _do interviews_.

6. With all the free stuff from corporate sponsors this year, I really hope to get my hands on _a bottle of single malt scotch_.

7. If I see someone wearing _glasses_ in Austin, I’m going to walk up to them and hit them in the mouth.

8. If I see someone wearing _glasses_ in Austin, I’m going to walk up to them and hug them.

9. Don’t tell nobody, but I heard a rumor that _Lon Chaney_ will be playing a secret show at Stubb’s. Shhhhhh!

10. What happens in Austin, _tastes like tacos_ in Austin

Check out Astronautalis at SXSW:

March, 12 2008 8PM: on stage with CAR STEREO (WARS) @ the beauty bar 617 E 7th ST, Austin, Texas Cost : get a wrist band

March, 15 2008 8PM: at SXSW DAY SHOW @ PARTS & LABOR! (no wrist band) 1604 S. Congress, Austin, Texas Cost : get drunk sucker punch.

March, 15 2008 8PM: at SXSW EYEBALL RECORDS SHOWCASE! @ SPIRO’S 615 Red River, Austin, Texas Cost : get a wrist band

More info at the Myspace

next up.....Luckyiam

1. The freshest piece of gear I’m going to rock at SxSW this year will be my top secret/undecided outfit that I would never write about in a interview to give the comp a heads up!

2. To kill the slow, dry hours in the van on the way to TX, we’re going to bring 3 nyphomaniac groupies who lack gag reflexes. ________________.

3. I will stand in line for hours to see nothin this year, or any year after that. (I hate line*)

4. Texas BBQ and Lonestar Beer makes me have the bg's (bubble guts) Especially if it’s free!

5. The more free beer I drink, the more likely I am to sleep with a journalist.

6. With all the free stuff from corporate sponsors this year, I really hope to get my hands on a Zune or a free Iphone (shameless plug).

7. If I see someone wearing my answer to question #1 in Austin, I’m going to walk up to them and hit them in the mouth.

8. If I see someone wearing a Luckyiam t-shirt in Austin, I’m going to walk up to them and hug them.

9. Don’t tell nobody, but I heard a rumor that Feist will be playing a secret show at Stubb’s. Shhhhhh!

10. What happens in Austin, never really stays in Austin.Pce,Luckyiam/Living Legends

Catch Lucky and his crew:

March, 13 2008 at LIVING LEGENDS SPRING TOUR W/ LUCKYIAM @ Emo’s (SXSW Showcase) 603 Red River St., Austin, Texas 78701

and visit his Myspace often