Music: The Best of 2009

2009 The year The King of Pop made his final curtain call. Or did he? The exceptionally talented Michael Jackson lost his life and we found out our interest in him had not even slightly began to cease. His catalog flew up the charts, selling more than a lot of the new releases that were currently being released. The movie showcasing his rehearsals for his comeback tour This Is It and it's accompanying soundtrack did the kind of business to solidify the fact that he is indeed the King of Pop.
Michael sold millions, but he wasn't the only one. We saw new artist's make their mark as well. Lady GaGa took fun dance music & outlandish costumes (a very 80's concept) with some solid writing and carved out quite the career for herself. Drake a novice rapper... burst on the scene igniting some much needed life into the rap scene. He doesn't even have an album out at the moment yet he's nominated for Grammy's. Speaking of rap.. despite all the hoopla over Eminem's return (and his big numbers out the gate) Jay-Z made the rap song of the year. Jay featuring Alicia Keys has made the kind of rap song that has those usually not interested in rap dancing & singing along. New artist Angel Taylor has made one of the best Pop debut albums in a long, long time. I am totally addicted! Taylor Swift. We can't talk about 2009 and not mention Miss Swift... thanks to Kanye West. She's won several awards (in spite of Kanye), crossed over way beyond the Country charts & sold millions & millions of albums. She is the good-girl answer to Miley Cyrus. Kings Of Leon made an album of very sexy, straight forward rock & roll laced with some down & dirty soul...thus giving us and them the album of their career. And then we have Chris Brown and Rihanna. After all the drama, the apologies, the interviews they release some music. Back to business. Rihanna is the first out the gate. I've always appreciated her since the second CD. She's another one who made good solid dance music. After listening to the latest Rated R.. it nearly makes me forget the former projects. Rated R is such quality, so good it takes Miss Fenty to another level. It has that rare commodity... an album I can put on and not have to program. I can listen to it all the way though. It is easily her best work yet. They say true art comes from diversity.. this is proof positive. Chris Brown has released a couple singles and his full CD is coming out as I write this. I would love to close this out with my singular favorite CD of the year. But it's impossible. I have a tie. Eminem's Relapse & Rihanna's Rated R. Relapse because Eminem continues to put out such quality. That's what it's all about to me. So many were sure after his long hiatus he would not retain his hold on what's current in music and due to his personal problems his work would suffer. Not only has he proved this wrong he did it with a vengeance. And Rihanna as I said made a work of art. Proving she's more than just the flavor of the month.

Friday Fun

Two of the sexiest men for the price of one. Is there a better way to start a weekend? A gorgeous Australian Actor and an equally as enticing Model & Actor turned Extreme Makeover Star.



Australian actor Craig Horner. He stars in the television series Legend of the Seeker. Makes me want to take a look at this show I have never even heard of!

AND....


The absolutely gorgeous Rib Hillis. International model and actor who joined the cast of Extreme Makeover in 2007. Now... if he could 'makeover' my place yet remain as part of the decor *sigh* life would be perfect!

Sunday Brunch :-)

The delicious Model, Stuntman, Actor Ryan Barry. Gorgeous beyond words...



One just isn't enough...

The Letterman Scandal

David Letterman affair is no joke -- latimes.com

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People are really up in arms over David Letterman's admission of guilt yet no standard apology.
First I'll say I am a big fan of David's. So you know where this is going. OK.
There's a part of me that believes sometime soon after I've posted this he will make an apology.
Because of all the flack he's getting over not already doing so. Frankly it doesn't bother me. He wasn't married during these trysts with these women. Until otherwise stated they didn't occur as a means to further anyone's career in his company. These were relationships that came of people being in close proximity to one another and as the old saying goes "one thing lead to another".
People are always ready to throw around that term 'sexual harassment' but it isn't always the case. Would I do it? Probably not... but this happens all the time in the work place. All The Time! Wake up America! Stop pretending you don't know! Most of these people passing judgment have done far worse themselves. If two consenting adults choose to enter into these kind of entanglements it's on them! I say kudos to David for going straight to the authorities, then addressing it on his program. Should he apologize? No! Because he had sex with women that were full participants?
Because some broke Producer was trying to blackmail him to pay off his many financial woes?
Give me a fucking break! I love you David... and YES I'll be watching!

Kandi Burruss: Former fiance of 'Housewives of Atlanta' member Burruss dies -- latimes.com

Kandi Burruss: Former fiance of 'Housewives of Atlanta' member Burruss dies -- latimes.com

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Frisky Friday

I'm always on the look out for some exquisite eye candy. Just to start the weekend off right I found one of the sweetest things to feast your eyes upon. The absolutely gorgeous Body Builder, Model, Actor... Luke Gulden. Be still my fucking beating heart! Get in....




Delicious!

MSF Rooftop Party in Williamsburg

with Kendall & Michel


Performing as Grace Jones

Cyndi is 'Into The Nightlife'

Its nearly a year later and I still have Cyndi Lauper's 'Into The Nightlife' in my heavy rotation. I remember when I first read that Cyn was going to do a dance album. I was wasn't sure if that was such a smart idea. So many of these artists of a certain age who venture to take on this genre of music fail considerably to me. Madonna has sold doing so, but the music itself is very questionable. I don't like honestly. The incredible Cher was even very successful for a while with it.
Well, I'm happy to say Cyndi proved me wrong. 54 at the time, she made a good solid album that transcended what her counterparts had produced. Songs that made you want to dance yet still were songs of substance. Of course she didn't sell as well as the other fluff, but that's just the way it goes. This was one of her best albums notwithstanding the genre. Quality always wins out in my book.
One of the shinning moment's is the second single 'Into The Nightlife'.
It is Perfection.

Into The Nightlife:

Michael Is Forever

Michael Jackson is and will always be the embodiment of what a true entertainer is all about. He brought together people with music in ways no one has ever done before. He blurred the lines of color (where it should have never been) with his music, he is known as the King Of Pop but his music defied being pigeon holed in one genre and what people often forget is he was a passionate humanitarian.
His music is truly the soundtrack to my life and so many others. Hearing a song of his takes me right back to the enjoyment of when I first heard it.
Never having been a fan of Elvis I can now understand the severity of sorrow his fans have felt ever since his death. Micheal's legend is comparable to if not more significant than Elvis. For a young black boy from Gary, Indiana to go on to achieve all that he has is a true testament dreams becoming a reality.
He is alive in so many of today's artists. His influence can be seen far and wide in the entertainment business. But more importantly we have his ground breaking videos and incredible catalog of music to remind us of his genius forever.
A legend never dies.

MSF ROOFTOP EXTRAVAGANZA

The Michael Sandy Foundation is having a Rooftop Party on August 8th



I will be one of the featured performers for this festive and very important event.

Michael Sandy was a 29yo gay male who died as a result of a robbery/hate crime on October 9th 2006. The foundation is raising money to provide a permanent memorial at Plumb Beach which is where the incident took place. All proceeds from this fundraiser will create awareness of this tragic event and provide a lasting memory of Micheal to all those who visit the park.

On August 8th 2009 from 6pm to 4am in Williamsburg Brooklyn @ 128 Meserole St.
with DJs, bands, performance artists,raffles and a watermelon eating contest all on a rooftop!

contact
Tony Bruce: trbruce@gmail.com
Princess Brittany: brittanyesta@aol.com

Diana & Babs... could it be true?

To say I am shocked would be drastically understating it. But.... rumor has it (according to Michael Musto) that Diana Ross & Barbra Streisand will be making a duet! I knew Miss Ross was working on her next album, but I didn't know this. Thankfully for those who love her Ross' next cd will not be another drawn out walk down memory lane. Shockingly enough 'I Love You' was certified gold. But enough is enough (wink)
This duet business is a bit incredible to me. I would love it if it were true. Even if it is though... Diana Krall is rumored to be producing the duet. Hmmmmmm? I know she just took home top Grammy's for her recent work with another legend... but Diana & Barbra? WTF. There is possibly some truth to this all, she is producing for Barbra at the moment. So let's wait and see. Now I'm not one those who think these two Divas are going to have personality clashes... at this point in their lives/careers I think they would be respective of each other. Even if not of others. But, this is too good to be true.

'Diva's Live' Makes A Comeback

Vh1 the sometime music channel and current home of endless reality drivel is resurrecting their once popular franchise 'Diva's Live'.
After a four year absence, at the end of the summer on September 17th they will air 'Diva's Live 2009'. This new incarnation will be held at The Brooklyn Academy of Music's Howard Gilman Opera house in New York City. Promising a bigger and even better show Vh1 plans to include "more" of the newer diva's... and they want the audience to help pick them. If Miley Cyrus pops up on there I think I will die! They want the public to go to their website and vote for who they want to see. I can't wait to see how this works out. So everyone who wants their voices heard.. get a' votin'... http://www.vh1.com

Jamie Foxx has A Moment

Jamie Foxx has been getting all this flack about letting the oh-so-popular Miley Cyrus have it on his radio show. Some are comparing it Don Imus and saying Jamie should be ashamed of himself , etc..etc... I totally disagree. Jamie didn't initiate the conversation. He was responding to the what was being discussed by the other people in the show. He made a few lame jokes about her questionable girl next door image, as most every other comedian does. I didn't hear anything decidedly racist, perhaps offensive to some... but if you don't like it change the channel. He did this on a satellite radio show, not an easily accessible AM station as you know who. While Mr. Foxx's humor isn't really my cup of tea, it's a hell of a lot easier to take jokes when done by an actual comedian and not by someone long thought of to be a bigot. Who knows.. maybe I'm insensitive because I think little miss thing is annoying anyway? LOL
What ever. He actually apologized later in the evening on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. That's Hollywood for you.
Anywho, here's what all the talk is about. You be the judge....

'Dancing' with Gilles

I haven't blogged in a while. Quite a while. Even opinionated bitches like me have a moment of silence. But my fixation of the moment has propelled me to get my fingers a typin'. His name... Gilles Marini. The Gorgeous Man that took showers ever so seductively in 'Sex & The City:The Movie' ...

The Super Sexy Frenchman has solidified his popularity in The States on the ABC hit 'Dancing with The Stars' . If you didn't know who he was before (WTF!) now you do! He moves around that amazing body with so much sensuality it rivals those scenes in 'Sex & The City'. He has made one of the few reality shows I can stomach even more enjoyable... absolute appointment television. If he doesn't win... I don't think I'll ever watch again! LOL
One more photo, just because....

Vivica 'The Cougar' Fox

One of the executive producers of that dreadful ABC show 'The Bachelor' is bringing a new reality show to TV. Due to premiere in April on TV Land PRIME is 'The Cougar' starring someone I love to love in spite of her sometime.. Miss Vivica A. Fox. You can say what you want about girlfriend but she is always working. I hope this one is better than that VH1 foolishness about looking for a stylist. 'The Cougar' will have an eight episode run starting in April, and will have 20 young guys vying for the attention of some hungry, blood thirsty cougars. I wonder if a certain eccentric colorful cougar I know in Manhattan will appear? Time will tell... brace yourselves is she does. It'll be stranger than fiction.
What ever the case Miss Vivica...I'll take a look at the first episode. Make it worth while for me to tune into the full fantasy.

Crazy Racism In West Village

Perhaps a lot of people read about the 'racist bakery' in the West Village of New York City in the news papers. But actually seeing the footage from Fox News takes this unbelievable story to another level. After watching the creator of the cookie called 'Drunken Negro Face' try to explain why he named it this & how he doesn't think it's racist I am left with only one feeling.... disgust. As you will see in the video he says it's a tribute to our new President. Now, I am not one of those people afraid of racial humor, but let it be funny. I should add... it seems clear the intention here wasn't humor. But what is perplexing is that this asshole actually thought that it was ok to do this. Whats even more difficult to fathom is him getting on national TV trying to explain this lunacy and saying some of his black customers liked it. Where are these customers? Are they named Uncle Tom? As I said earlier... disgusting. The incredulity of it all can not be ignored. Take a look....

click the link:
http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/090122_Racist_Cookies_in_Honor_of_Barack_Obama

Give Me SuperBowl!

All this talk of the Superbowl is anathema to me. I have no conception of what football is to people. Well... there is the gorgeous Reggie Bush but beyond that? Gibberish. Best part has always been the performances to me. Can't wait to see Jennifer Hudson make her return and sing that anthem like no one has since when Whitney was in her prime. But Bruce Springsteen? Hmmm... he's ok, but I prefer the 80's Springsteen. Give me 'Dancing In The Dark' & 'Glory Days', So Sunday I will be probably recovering from what ever mayhem I participated in Saturday night and once again wondering what the hell all this football is about.
Diana Ross' 1996 Superbowl performance for all it wasn't I discovered is better at a second glance. I didn't remember liking her changes as much... she looked good! They shoved too many songs in that medley, but it was good to see my girl strut her stuff and feel something so completely. The purple catsuit is fabulous! Take a trip back to 1996......

The Dream Realized

I watched the inauguration of President Obama this afternoon.
It was one of the most inspiring things I believe I've seen.... ever. President Obama in his usual eloquent and inspirational manner in my opinion spoke to everyone. For real this time. So many before him said the appropriate words as if speaking to everyone, yet never quite achieving that feat. What I found most telling of the kind of leader he is, and will be is his ability to make everyone listening feel as one. He only said the word 'I' three times. Instead we heard the word 'We' used over and over. And that feeling resonated throughout the crown there in attendance. Complete strangers were holding hands, kids and senoirs were crying tears of joy in unison. I dare to find the person who did not feel a sense of hope.
Somewhere Martin Luther King Jr. is smiling down thinking all that he fought for was not in vain. That this birthday is the most joyous one he could have ever imagined. Dreams do come true.