They stop playing the same thing on the radio

The Roots and Chrisette Michele have a new track out called "Rising Up" and it goes a little something like this - "Yesterday I saw a B-girl crying
I walked up and asked what’s wrong, she told me that the radio’s been playing the same song all day long…"

Well yesterday I was listening to the radio and I heard them not playing the same song, but they were talking and having some intelligent conversation on the hip hop urban station. And it was on the Miss Jones morning show broadcast on Hot 97 and 100.3 The Beat. Of course Miss Jones was on vacation. It figures.

Guest host was none other than LL Cool J. He was in for Miss Jones as she was on vacation. LL Cool J was good. He was better than good. He talked about more than his music, upcoming projects, and the number of units he has sold or the industry.

The day before, Jermaine Dupri sat in for Miss Jones and basically talked about himself (When are you and Janet getting married?) and explained what he meant when he said "The DJ is Dead" in radio. The same old industry and gossip stuff that makes for wonderful radio content. Blah, blah, blah. At least I think that's what they talked about. I gave it 3 minutes and turned that crap off.

By the way, when did it become fashionable to talk about the industry all the time on the radio. That's not compelling content at all. No wonder urban radio is turning people off. It's not just the artist, it's the on-air personalities also. We all know it's a business, but there's more things to talk about than album sales. LL Cool J proved it this week on the radio. "U no whut um sayin'."

LL talked about everything from politics to economic empowerment and the social problems in our community. He was insightful, funny and compelling. Yes and he's just a rapper. He proved that what most people's perceptions about hip-hop does not ring true at all. I commend you LL Cool J.

Well, what was the audience's reaction. I guess 'hate' is the new love. LL began reading the good and bad text messages he was receiving on the air. It seemed he got an even amount of both. "Old man go home", "granddaddy hang it up", "Why you talking all this politics?".

I guess having an intelligent thought is bad. They say ignorance is bliss.

Now for the radio vets, co-host Michael Shawn, kept steering the conversation in another direction because he was sensing the intelligent discussion the show was going towards was turning off some listeners. He was probably right. The calls and texts probably helped him reached this brilliant conclusion. "Let's get back to farts and pantie wedgies" was the rallying cry and on-going joke when the discussion became too serious.

The other co-host DJ Envy, was not able to make any salient points to defend his point of view against LL. Amazing and these guys are professional broadcasters.

It was good to hear some decent radio even if it became the hip hop version of the Bill Maher show. Thanks L.

Joe

http://www.urbanradionation.com/

An Issue With My President ...Our Moral Leader

Let me first say I don't know no nothing about some impeachment. But I've been reading about it all over the internets.

I guess I should side with the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. She has repeatedly said that impeachment is off the table and she is not interested in pursuing it, and it would divide this country. Even Rep. John Conyers has been quiet on the issue and he's the ranking Judiciary Committee leader. Hmmm...makes sense to me. I mean look at what the democrats are accusing the president of doing. I can't believe it:

1. - Violating the United Nations Charter by launching an illegal "War of Aggression" against Iraq without cause, using fraud to sell the war to Congress and the public, misusing government funds to begin bombing without Congressional authorization, and subjecting our military personnel to unnecessary harm, debilitating injuries, and deaths.

2. - Violating U.S. and international law by authorizing the torture of thousands of captives, resulting in dozens of deaths, and keeping prisoners hidden from the International Committee of the Red Cross.

3. - Violating the Constitution by arbitrarily detaining Americans, legal residents, and non-Americans, without due process, without charge, and without access to counsel.

4. - Violating the Geneva Conventions by targeting civilians, journalists, hospitals, and ambulances, and using illegal weapons, including white phosphorous, depleted uranium, and a new type of napalm.

5. - Violating U.S. law and the Constitution through widespread wiretapping of the phone calls and emails of Americans without a warrant.

And there's more? Yeah, right....I still can't believe it. This Dennis Kucinich guy is unbelievable! ...lol... A president wouldn't do that would he? No way. I mean this is America and we must defend ourselves against the terrorist damnmit!

But I have a major issue with you George W. Bush. You made a promise. We have "terrorist" all around us. You made a promise to the American people that this country would be free from moral decay and that we as a nation needed to be against gay marriage. Those terrorist are winning and no one is saying anything. The homosexuals are the terrorist Mr. Bush and we need to get them. I see it every night on the Logo channel on my television. You see it's right there. There wasn't even a Logo channel four years ago. I'm glad it's there now, so we can keep an eye on them. All that kissing and hugging going on and stuff. Are you watching this Mr. President?

But George what's going on here? You're the president. Stop this gay marriage sh** right now. Aren't you in charge? I mean look, in Californina they are going to start marrying gay people on Tuesday. That's right Tuesday! You said you would ban gay marriage. Hello.

I mean look what happened. You invited all these big important Black preachers to the White House for chicken dinner before the election. You know that one from Atlanta and Dallas and everywhere else. They came back to our communities and told us that God was on your side Mr. Bush. You would support a constitutional ban on gay marriage. So we voted for you Mr. Bush. We voted strong for you especially in Ohio and you pulled out the victory in November 2004. Yes we won. NO GAY MARRIAGE!

What?...wait a minute, Mr. President, you don't have that constitutional power to ban gay marriage? Marriage laws are left upon each state individually. Since when? You mean... since they wrote the constitution. Aww..that's some bull. You're the president, you can do anything you want. I mean after 911, you told us we needed to go into Iraq and get the terrorist. I mean look at all the stuff the Democrats claimed you did. I mean you authorize war without the Senate's approval. Right? What's the difference? Declare war on gay marriage.

And what did Obama say about small town America - “And it’s not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.”

It seems to me it's not just small town America, but also some big city Black folks who cling to the same things.

Maybe you should be impeached Mr. President. Because you lied to the American people.

Joe

www.urbanradionation.com

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