#Emcee Abel

[cornerofcharacters]

Guess who just updated their banner?? Me!

The banner photo in question \/

[tommieglenn]

Guys! In case some of you were interested in my recent Raul Esparza and Borderlands original watercolour paintings, I made a list of the available ones with prices in Highlights on my | Instagram | page.

Have a great weekend!

- Tommie

[cocofandomfriendly]

Hello everyone! So some folks over in the Marigold Bridge server have been asking about doing another event, since the Secret Santa we did last December went pretty well. And since Coco Day, February 27th, is coming up, doing an event soon seemed like a good idea. But... things like Secret Santas and other such exchanges take a lot of time and planning! So... I thought we could do something else--a different type of event, and one I've run before for other fandoms.

A Fandom Friendly!

What's a "Friendly?"

A friendly, according to the Wikitionary, is "a game which is of no consequence in terms  of ranking, betting etc." In this case, it's a competition with no winners or losers--this is purely for fun!

What is the Coco Fandom Friendly?

The Coco Fandom Friendly is a relaxed, week-long, fandom-wide competition (so you do not need to be a member of the server in order to participate) that fandom members of all ages and levels of skill can participate in. It also does not require any type of stressful commitment--either you participate or you don't! Essentially you will create a fanwork (or fanworks) of any kind about your favorite character(s), and the characters that get the most love win!

Wait, so the CHARACTERS win? Not one of the participants?

That's right! The participants do not win or lose! In this competition, you are not fighting against anyone else. Instead, you are trying to help your favorite characters win by creating fanworks of them!

Is there a prize of any kind?

Not really--just the excitement of participating in a fandom event, and knowing that you helped your favorite characters in a competition.

What kind of fanworks are allowed?

Anything! They can be art, writing, music, animation, photography, fan videos, etc. Entries can also be gen (no shipping), or feature nearly any ship (with some exceptions--see below). AUs and fancharacters are perfectly fine as well! Just make sure it relates to Coco, of course.

Is there anything that's not allowed?

Yes. There are a few things that are UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES allowed:

1) Not SFW entries of any kind (this is an all-ages competition, so please keep it tasteful!) 2) Entries using other people's art or writing (such as a fanvid that uses other people's artwork) 3) Entries involving any ships that feature incest or adult/child ships (I don't think I need to elaborate here)

Can I submit things I've created in the past?

Nope! Your entries must be completed during the week of the competition, which will be February 21st through February 27th.

But what if I'm not good at art/writing/anything??

It doesn't matter how good or bad you are! The only thing that matters in this competition is how much time you put into what you make! That's why you will earn points based on how much time you spend on your entries.

When you work on your entry (or entries--you can make as many as you want!), you need to time yourself (using a stopwatch app, an actual stopwatch, or just looking at a clock to see when you started and when you finished), and then when you post the entry, you will say how many minutes you spent on the piece, and what characters are in it. Each minute you spend on the piece is worth half a point.

For example, say you spend an hour working on a fanfic about Héctor and Imelda. That's 60 minutes, and with each minute being worth half a point, that's thirty points for each character (so 30 points for Héctor and 30 points for Imelda--it's not split!).

Is there a limit to how many points we can earn?

Yes--you can only earn up to 100 points per character (which would mean spending like... not quite 3.3 hours on something). So don't feel the need to only earn points for one character--you can earn points for as many characters as you want! Share the love!

How do I submit an entry?

Any time between February 21st and February 27th (so, starting at midnight, EST, on the 21st, and ending on 11:59 PM, EST, on the 27th) you can post your entry with the following formatting:

Coco Fandom Friendly Entry [Title] Characters: ____ Minutes

As well, YOU MUST TAG THE POST WITH #COCOFANDOMFRIENDLY ! This is extremely important!! If you don't, I might not see your entry!!

What characters are we earning points for?

The characters are split into three categories, and there will be a winner for each. These categories are...

Primary Miguel Héctor Imelda Ernesto

Secondary Elena Coco Óscar & Felipe Julio Rosita Victoria Chicharrón Pepita Dante

Minor Enrique Luisa Socorro Manny & Benny Rosa Abel Carmen Berto Gloria Franco Gustavo Frida Ceci Emcee Misc. Alebrije (includes fancharacters) Misc. Character (includes fancharacters)

In order to earn points for the characters, they must be involved in the piece, and you must list them by name in the entry format. In order for them to be involved in the piece... it depends on what kind of piece you’re doing--for art, the character just has to be in the picture. For something like writing or fanvid, however, a brief mention or glimpse of a character doesn’t count--the piece has to focus on those characters.

So... I think that covers everything! Remember, don't start working on your entries until February 21st at midnight EST!

If anything about these rules seems unclear or if you have any other questions, feel free to send an ask to this blog, and I'll help you as best as I can.

[papermoonloveslucy]

A GIRL, A GUY, AND A GOB

March 14, 1941

Directed by Richard Wallace

Produced by Harold Lloyd for RKO Radio Pictures

Written by Bert Granet and Frank Ryan, based on a story by Grover Jones

Synopsis ~ A shy, quiet executive for a shipping firm who finds himself with a dilemma: he’s become smitten with his young temporary secretary but she’s the girlfriend of his Navy buddy - and the buddy is scheduled to be discharged in only a few days.

Note: “Gob” is a slang word for a sailor. This term first showed up in regard to sailors around 1909 and may have come from the word gobble. Reportedly, some people thought that sailors gobbled their food. The term also may come from the word gob, which means to spit, something sailors also reportedly do often.

PRINCIPAL CAST

Lucille Ball as (Dorothy ‘Dotty’ Duncan aka ‘The Girl’) is in her 52nd film since coming to Hollywood in 1933. 

George Murphy (Claudius ‘Coffee’ Cup aka ‘The Gob’) was in four films with Lucille Ball between 1934 and 1941. In 1959, Murphy served as guest host of “The Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse” when Desi Arnaz took a role in his own anthology series. He was also a performer in “The Desilu Revue” aired in December 1959. As the host of “MGM Parade”, he interviewed Lucy and Desi in February 1956.

Edmond O'Brien (Stephen Herrick aka ‘The Guy’) won an Oscar in 1955 for The Barefoot Contessa. He was nominated a second time in 1965. 

Henry Travers (Abel Martin) was nominated for an Oscar for Mrs. Miniver in 1943. He is best remembered for playing Clarence the Angel in It’s A Wonderful Life (1946). 

Franklin Pangborn (Pet Shop Owner) did four films with Lucille Ball between 1937 and 1946. 

George Cleveland (Pokey Duncan) did four more films with Lucille Ball till 1949. 

Kathleen Howard (Jawme) makes her only appearance with Lucille Ball. 

Marguerite Chapman (Cecilia Grange) makes her only appearance with Lucille Ball.

Lloyd Corrigan (Pigeon) did Two Smart People with Lucille Ball in 1949. He played the minister in “The Milton Berle Lucy-Desi Special” in 1959. He also did three episodes of “The Lucy Show.”

Mady Correll (Cora) makes her only appearance with Lucille Ball.

Frank McGlynn, Sr. (Pankington) makes his only appearance with Lucille Ball.

Doodles Weaver (Eddie) makes his only appearance with Lucille Ball.

Frank Sully (Salty) did four films with Lucille Ball before playing the man who delivers “The Freezer” on “I Love Lucy.”

Nella Walker (Mrs. Grange) also appeared with Lucille Ball in Fugitive Lady (1934). 

Richard Lane (Recruiting Officer) previously appeared in three films with Lucille Ball in 1937 and 1938. 

Irving Bacon (Mr. Merney) did seven films with Lucille Ball before playing Mr. Willoughby in  in “The Marriage License” (1952) and Will Potter in “Ethel’s Hometown” (1955).

Rube Demarest (Ivory) makes his only appearance with Lucille Ball.

Charles Smith (Messenger) makes her only appearance with Lucille Ball.

Bob McKenzie (Porter) appeared in three other films with Lucille Ball. 

Nora Cecil (Charwoman) makes her only appearance with Lucille Ball.

UNCREDITED CAST 

SAILORS 

James Bush (Sailor Taking Address Book), Charles Flynn (Thin Sailor), Jack Lescoulie, George Ford, Art Rowlands, *Bernard Sell 

HUSTLERS

Tom Quinn, Cyril Ring, Ralph Brooks 

AT THE OPERA

Edward Peil Sr. (Assistant Manager), Eddie Arden (Opera Page Boy), Warren Ashe (Ticket Taker),  Blue Washington (Doorman), Jimmy Cleary (Program Boy), Tom Costello (Floor Manager), William A. Boardway (Patron), Walter Byron (Patron), James Carlisle (Patron), Jean Fowler (Patron), Kenneth Gibson (Patron), Carl M. Leviness (Patron), John George (Newsboy Outside Opera House)

AT THE DANCE HALL

Carolyn Hughes (Girl), Charles Irwin (Emcee), Eddie Borden (Man),  Eddie Hart (Ticket Taker #2), Dewey Robinson (Bouncer), Ronald R. Rondell (Ticket Taker)

AT THE MARRIAGE BUREAU & WEDDING CHAPEL

Wade Boteler (Uniformed Attendant), Homer Dickenson (Wedding Chapel Attendant), Harry "Snub" Pollard (Attendant), Wade Boteler (Uniformed Attendant), Fern Emmett (Middle-Aged Woman at Marriage Bureau), Henry Roquemore (Middle-Aged Man at Marriage Bureau), Effie Anderson (Marriage Bureau Clerk), Hal K. Dawson (Photographer)

IN THE STREETS: PEDESTRIANS, BYSTANDERS, OBSERVERS

Mary Field (Woman on Street), Vince Barnett (Pedestrian), Leon Belasco (Taxi Driver), George Lloyd (Bystander Smoking Cigar), Joe Bernard (Tattoo Artist), George McKay (Joe - Counterman), Vince Barnett (Bystander with Packages), Victor Potel (Bystander Eating Popcorn), *Leon Belasco (First Taxi Driver), *Mike Lally (Second Taxi Driver), George Chandler (Bystander Betting Five Bucks), Irene Coleman (Bystander Watching Eddie Grow), Tom Coleman (Pedestrian), Andrew Tombes (Bus Conductor), Hal K. Dawson (Photographer), Edgar Dearing (Policeman), Fern Emmett (Middle-Aged Woman), Mary Field (Woman on Street), Bud Jamison (Tall Bystander), Tiny Jones (Passerby), Bert Moorhouse (Pedestrian), Bud Osborne (Bystander), Frank Mills (Laborer in Manhole), Andrew Tombes (Bus Conductor)

OTHERS

Sally Conlin (Little Girl) 

Joe Geil (Boy)

Steve Pendleton (Mr. Adams)

Earle Hodgins (Sylvester P. Wurple) 

Lloyd Ingraham (Announcer of Piano Winner)

Alex Pollard (Butler)

George Lollier (Grange's Chauffeur) 

Alexander Pollard (Grange's Butler) 

* actors who later did background work on Lucille Ball’s sitcoms. 

3G TRIVIA

The film was dramatized for radio on “The Screen Guild Radio Theatre” on October 9, 1944, also starring Lucille Ball and George Murphy. They rerpised their roles on radio once again for “Old Gold Comedy Theatre” on February 11, 1945. 

Maureen O'Hara was initially slated for the role played by Lucille Ball.  Ball and O’Hara had done the 1940 film Dance, Girl, Dance together. 

This film came towards the end of Lucille Ball's RKO days. She had already achieved leading lady status and would only make four more films for RKO before moving to MGM. She couldn’t know that she would one day own the studio with her husband, Desi Arnaz. Interestingly, RKO borrowed George Murphy from MGM for this film. 

This film's earliest documented telecast took place in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on  Sunday June 3, 1956 over TV station WFBG. That same week, Lucille Ball began filming season six of “I Love Lucy” in Hollywood. 

In 1971, “The Carol Burnett Show” spoofed the film with “A Gob, a Girl and Her Galoshes".

The movie was referenced in the Emmy-winning documentary “Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie”. 

[inappropriatefangirlwishes]

Navi 2//2               ~~~~~~~~~~~~ HANNIBAL & RAUL ESPARZA ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  hannibal                        hannibal meta              hannibal parallels hannibal fanart               hannibal cosplay          hannibal fun hannibal behind the scenes                                hannibal aesthetic  hannibal fashion clothes costumes                     hannibal set design freddie lounds                 will graham                   francis dolarhyde         peter bernardone  alana bloom                  hannibal lecter             abel gideon    fredragon                      hannigram                    chillywilly frederick chilton            frederick chilton headcanon & imagine yakimono                      antlers                          chilton face 

On other Blogs:  ifn watching hannibal   mine hannibal       mine raul esparza     Hanniwald (Hannibal & Oswald Cobbepot)  

raul esparza                  raul esparza behind the scenes various   raul esparza links           raul esparza fashion raul esparza headcanon & imagine various   raul esparza fanart various   raul esparza aesthetic various   raus esparza aesthetic various     alfredo aldarisio               abel plenkov               nevada ramirez find me guilty tony compagna rafael barba        other law and order characters (that Raul played)     sonny carisi        olivia benson      mariska hargitay riff raff(rocky horror show)        jonas nightingale (leap of faith) the arbiter chess (inkl new one One Night In Bangkok) cabaret emcee            the normal heart          evita (Che)      musical hair                 musical taboo             musical various  

mads mikkelsen      richard armitage       guy of gisborne      thorin hugh dancy  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  M*A*S*H ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ m*a*s*h                          m*a*s*h aesthetic            m*a*s*h meta m*a*s*h group cast        alan alda maxwell klinger              margaret houlihan     sherman potter radar o'reilly                   sidney freedman        trapper john   hawkeye pierce             bj hunnicutt                father francis mulcahy major frank burns          charles emerson winchester                        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MAD MAX FURY ROAD  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ mad max fury road        tom hardy mad max meta                mad max behind the scenes nux       slit                      max rockatansky      imperator furiosa

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THEMES & THINGS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ art & literature                   mental illness depression anxiety history & mythology          feminism (&other causes) perfume scent smell         dancing                 crafting diy knitting  drinking                            food eating            tea      language                          swearing stuffed animal plushie      dog    cat    penguin    flamingo    lizard butterfly

scarf                jewelry             glasses sunglasses            gloves shirtless          underwear        suspenders and tie            suit   black shirt       socks                uniform (historic) kink                 blood and bloody       hot damn      bound gagged biting               licking                        tongue          kneeling    neck               ��kiss                            hand kiss      nails hug hugging gesture           wink                           hands          hair       butt         flowers           magnifying glass         autumn        car       floor       couch             burnt         dork               cutiepie    crossover      omg his face <3           this is amazing! this                twitter                           interview video             audio                            playlist  (& music stuff)       mood relateable      METAish:  humanocentrism    colonialism                                                                                

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ VARIOUS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ pinhead        oscar wilde         hogan's heroes          gotham scorpius       harrison ford      

~ ON OTHER BLOGS ~ (WIP)   Hogans Heroes SCC The mummy, Star Wars, Star Trek, Harrison Ford .....

[tomorrowedblog]

Friday Releases for October 16

Friday is the busiest day of the week for new releases, so we've decided to collect them all in one place. Friday Releases for October 16 include Anime, Trauma and Divorce, Streams of Thought, Vol. 3: Cane and Abel, The Kid Detective, and more.

The Trial of the Chicago 7

The Trial of the Chicago 7, the new movie from Aaron Sorkin, is out today.

What was intended to be a peaceful protest at the 1968 Democratic National Convention turned into a violent clash with police and the National Guard. The organizers of the protest—including Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Tom Hayden and Bobby Seale—were charged with conspiracy to incite a riot and the trial that followed was one of the most notorious in history.

Love And Monsters

Love And Monsters, the new movie from Michael Matthews, is out today.

Seven years after the Monsterpocalypse, Joel Dawson (Dylan O’Brien), along with the rest of humanity, has been living underground ever since giant creatures took control of the land. After reconnecting over radio with his high school girlfriend Aimee (Jessica Henwick), who is now 80 miles away at a coastal colony, Joel begins to fall for her again. As Joel realizes that there’s nothing left for him underground, he decides against all logic to venture out to Aimee, despite all the dangerous monsters that stand in his way.

The Opening Act

The Opening Act, the new movie from Steve Byrne, is out today.

Will Chu has it all - the job, the girl - but what’s missing is his true passion in life, to become a stand-up comedian. When he gets the opportunity he’s been waiting for, the emcee slot on the road opening for his hero Billy G., the realities of life on the stage come crashing in. Between relentless hecklers, drunk comedy groupies and hard-to-impress morning radio DJs, things get off to a rough start. Even if he can take the opportunity to learn from his idols and overcome the challenges, Will still needs to decide if he should continue with the life he has, or pursue the one he has always dreamt of – the life of a comedian.

Shithouse

Shithouse, the new movie from Cooper Raiff, is out today.

Alex (Cooper Raiff) is a lonely, friendless college freshman who is seriously contemplating transferring to a college closer to his mom (Amy Landecker) and sister (Olivia Welch), to whom he is still extremely tethered. Everything changes one night when Alex takes a leap and attends a party at his campus’ party house ‘Shithouse’, where he forges a strong connection with his RA, Maggie (Dylan Gelula).

Martin Eden

Martin Eden, the new movie from Pietro Marcello, is out today.

Adapted from a 1909 novel by Jack London yet set in a provocatively unspecified moment in Italy’s history, Martin Eden is a passionate and enthralling narrative fresco in the tradition of the great Italian classics. Martin (played by the marvelously committed Luca Marinelli) is a self-taught proletarian with artistic aspirations who hopes that his dreams of becoming a writer will help him rise above his station and marry a wealthy young university student (Jessica Cressy). The dissatisfactions of working-class toil and bourgeois success lead to political awakening and destructive anxiety in this enveloping, superbly mounted bildungsroman.

The Kid Detective

The Kid Detective, the new movie from Evan Morgan, is out today.

A once-celebrated kid detective, now 31, continues to solve the same trivial mysteries between hangovers and bout of self-pity. Until a naïve client brings him his first ‘adult’ case - to find out who brutally murdered her boyfriend.

La Révolution

La Révolution, the new TV series from Aurélien Molas, is out today.

In a reimagined history of the French Revolution, the guillotine’s future inventor uncovers a disease that drives the aristocracy to murder commoners.

Helstrom

Helstrom, the new TV series from Paul Zbyszewski, is out today.

As the son and daughter of a mysterious and powerful serial killer, Helstrom follows Daimon (Tom Austen) and Ana Helstrom (Sydney Lemmon), and their complicated dynamic, as they track down the worst of humanity — each with their own attitude and skills.

Grand Army

Grand Army, the new TV series from Katie Cappiello, is out today.

Five students at the largest public high school in Brooklyn take on a chaotic world as they fight to succeed, survive, break free and seize the future.

9 Monkeys of Shaolin

9 Monkeys of Shaolin, the new game from Sobaka Studios and Buka Entertainment, is out today.

The true rebirth of iconic beat 'em up genre in vein of old-school video games! As a simple Chinese fisherman Wei Cheng you have to avenge the death of your friends and family slaughtered in a pirate raid at your peaceful village.

Anime, Trauma and Divorce

Anime, Trauma and Divorce, the new album from Open Mike Eagle, is out today.

Streams of Thought, Vol. 3: Cane and Abel

Streams of Thought, Vol. 3: Cane and Abel, the new album from Black Thought, is out today.

Cuttin’ Grass - Vol. 1

Cuttin’ Grass - Vol. 1, the new album from Sturgill Simpson, is out today.

SIGN

SIGN, the new album from Autechre, is out today.

[cunyappliedtheatreblog]

Countdown Profile Week 5: Joseph Webb (’20)

Photo: Daniel Nathan

So, Joseph, what are you up to these days?

This past May, I presented excerpts of a project that I've been working on with my partner, Barédu Ahmed, called Messages from Umi at Harlem Stage in New York. We just received some support to further develop the work and we're set to have a share in June of 2020 at Harlem Stage again.

What is the project?

Messages from Umi is a multi-discipline performing arts piece. It incorporates [music] by Barédu Ahmed along with different styles of dance. You have tap dance, you have house dance, you have contemporary dance. I'm the choreographer along with some improvisational movement elements that come forth from the other dancers. Also along with poetry in the art form of emceeing. In this context, Umi is mother hip hop, Umi being the Arabic word meaning mother. The musicians, and the dancers, we are...we receive messages and downloads from mother hip hop that we share with our audience, through movement, sound, text.

That sounds beautiful.

I'm excited about it. I really am. You know, I have a notebook of ideas, you know, that I know that I just write down was something hits me. And a lot of times you don't get a chance to actually work on all of these ideas. So I'm excited about it. But it's also nerve-wracking. I always put, and I'm getting better at this, I put a lot of pressure on myself, because I want to make sure that I get as close as I can to the vision that I first received. So it's a rainbow of emotions, but at the end of the day, it's is a beautiful experience.

“Download” something, “what you received.” You see yourself as a channel for something bigger.

Definitely. As human beings, I think we all have this part of ourselves that is greater than who we see ourselves to be. And I feel like that's where this information is coming from.

I want people to know what you've been up to. You've got a name as a tap dancer. You've been covered in major media outlets, including The New York Times. You've been doing it for a long time. Could you give an overview of what you've done as an artist?

Well, I've done some I've done some theatre. I've been on Broadway before [including Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk and Jelly’s Last Jam -MW]. I've done some national tours as well as some international stages, in Germany, in Canada and Spain as well theaters across the country, including the Kennedy Center and some other spots. And I've also done some TV work in the past. Commercials. A lot of people don't know, but I had a role on the soap opera Guiding Light.

Yeah?

I played the role of Steam, you know, on Guiding Light for a little while [sure enough, there’s no record of that on the internet. Joseph has also appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and Live with Regis and Kathy Lee. -MW]. I also was a lecturer at Medgar Evers College for eight years. I really enjoy teaching and I also enjoy performing. I feel like that's like part of a balance for me as an educator and a creative. I feel like this because as a teacher I just learn so much.

Why did you come back to complete the MA in Applied Theatre?

I really like the program and what the program stands for, and the people that come through the program. And I always wanted to finish [Joseph and I started the program together in the fall of 2009. -MW].

Would you talk about your thesis project?

I have an awesome team that I'm very grateful to be a part of. Our thesis project as a whole is dealing with museum and gallery spaces: what do museum and gallery spaces represent? What work actually gets allowed to be in museum and gallery spaces?

My particular question that I'm entertaining right now--that could possibly change--is how can applied theatre and the performing arts be used to enhance and improve the experiences of museum visitors who are black, indigenous and people of color?

As a youth, I never saw myself represented in museum or gallery spaces. I always thought of them as white and European institutions. Recently, I'd say maybe about four or five years ago, I had been invited to perform in museum spaces like the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.--my dance company, Dancing Buddhas, was asked to come and perform excerpts of the piece that I've been working on called Monk, which is a celebration of the black American musician Thelonious Monk and some of the artists that he worked with, like Miles Davis and John Coltrane.

And then I was asked to come back and to present some work that was inspired by the American visual artist Stuart Davis, which was very exciting for me. I was grateful that I was able to bring in my love of dance and the performing arts into a visual art space.

So I started to see…and then also with the National Museum of African American History and Culture: when I went to go visit the museum the first time I remember saying, Yeah, this is something that is very inspiring for me—not only because I identify with a lot of the exhibits and what is being brought forth in the museum, but just the different aspects of art that take place in that space. I was able to do a lecture-demonstration [at the museum] of some of the social dances that took place during the ‘50s and the ‘60s. And so it's just interesting that, you know, these places that when I was growing up, I just wasn’t inspired to be in or didn't feel that I was being represented—[now] I've been able to come in and share.

Your research question is really alive. It's personal.

Very much so.

And also, how can how can we use movement as an interpretation and/or a discussion of what the artwork means and what the artwork represents, as opposed to it always being a written assignment? How can how can you use movement and other various performing arts to say, "this is what this piece means to me. This is what this piece is lacking. And this is my interpretation."

This is not just the shift in content, but a shift in paradigm. There's one school of museums in which they're teaching you the truth and you come in and soak it up. [In contrast], you're asking people to respond. And not just respond verbally, but respond physically and through art.

Mm hmm. Mm hmm.

That will be great. Let's take a look at where you want to go. What dreams are really alive for you as an artist and an educator?

As a creative I would like to explore more ways in which I can break that fourth wall. So more engagement between what I'm doing on stage and the audience. That's one of the things I've been inspired by in the program that I want to bring more of in my practice. I would like to also do that more in the classroom as a dance instructor. I would like to...have the students understand that, yes, there's something that I have to share [as the instructor], and that's one of the reasons why you signed up. But I want them to be more invested in…they might be a “beginner” at a particular level, but there's something that they're invested and engaged [in] also in a different way, that that isn't the “banking” dance method.

No matter no matter what, even if they don't have a ton of skill, there is something happening for them. They’re not just being asked to hold on until they get good.

Yeah. So those are some of the things that I'm thinking about. I'm also a recording artist. I'm an emcee. So I have quite a few projects. I have some projects on iTunes. I want to work across performing creative arts disciplines, you know, with different artists.

Photo: Annika Abel

It's remarkable, all the different disciplines that you weave together. You must weave through different communities, too. Like, the hip hop community, the tap dance community, the teaching community. I also weave a lot. I'm always interested in how people pull it off, because there's expectations and confusions like "oh, but I thought you were the tap guy." How do you navigate?

That's happened to me a lot in the past, and I feel like it still does happen from time to time. I think humans, we work very well when we place labels and we put things in boxes, because it helps us in a way, unconsciously, control what a person can do. One of the ways that I navigate that is to [say], “I'm an artist and I have something that I have to say. And today I'm saying it through this medium.” And that's that.

When you say that, I don't want to be thinking about “which one” you are, I want to go. Let's do it.

Yes, yes. And even till this day [laughs], even till this day I still have people that don't quite understand that I express myself in different forms, which really baffles me.

I liked your compassion but also that you’re not waiting around: “People need these categories to control the world.”

I remember when I was in Noise Funk... I joined the cast of Noise Funk in 1996, but towards the end of '95 I started writing, and when I got to New York, in ‘96 and ‘97, even though I was on Broadway, I started to started to produce my own shows that incorporated poetry—the art form of emceeing—with live music and tap dance. I think a lot of people enjoyed and appreciated what we presented. But I also had agents come through and they just said, "Oh, my goodness. We love this, but we just don't know where to put you, man." Essentially, what box to put you in.

Can you help us box yourself, please?

Yeah. "Can you help us box you please?" I just say, hey, this is what this is.

Is there anything about your growth in all these dimensions we've talked about that you haven't gotten to say yet?

We know what we need to do. That message has been very strong over the last six or seven months. You know, it's different for everyone, depending upon where they are and what they're doing. But we know what we're supposed to be doing. We have to remember that and stay in tune with that. You know, it's so easy to get to get caught up in the illusion of things and to be wrapped up in what someone else is doing or the stimuli that we get from media, social media in particular. And living in this wonderful city that we call New York City, but it also can be a distraction sometimes if you let it. We need to remember that we know what we're supposed to be doing creatively, artistically or otherwise, and we need to remember to stay in tune with that.

Thank you so much.

Yes. Thank you.

[rz-jocelyn]

Double Drive: Fujita Ray (Agatsuma Abel) and Sato Ryuji (Igarashi Junya) at the DVD release events for “Double Drive ~Ookami no Okite~” and “Double Drive ~Ryuu no Kizuna~” 

Source: ( x )

Snippets of translated fan reports from the event can be found under the cut.

In the first event, they had a segment where they got to ask each other questions. Ray's question to Ryuji?

Ray: When you sleep, [do you sleep on your] right? Left? Up? Where do you face? Ryuji: I'm sorry, that's an NG [question]. Ray: Is that so~ Maybe you sleep standing up, [and that's why] you can't say it. Ryuji: I sleep [on my back] facing upwards. Emcee: Ah, you'll say it after all!? Ryuji: One of the cats uses my arm as a pillow (here, he stretched out his right arm to illustrate it), and the other one lies here (and here, he pointed at his groin/crotch/thigh area), so I can't change my position. Ray: Ah, that I understand. Cats do [like] to go there, don't they? Ryuji: Why do you want to know how I sleep? Ray: I mean, because I've never slept with Ryuji before... Ryuji: (Makes an amused sound)

Ray, what even. LOL! As for Ryuji's question to Ray.

Ryuji: I do think you have a bath [in your house], but are you the type to wash your body and then soak in the bath? Or are you the type to soak in the bath and then wash your body? Ray: Me huh, I'm the type who washes my body while soaking in the bath. Ryuji: Ha? Ray: Well, I mean, it's cold, right? While I'm in the bath, I'll wash my hair with the shower. Ryuji: What about when you wash your body? Ray: I wash it [my body] as the hot water drains away. Ryuji: Ah... I see. Ray: That's why I don't use that mysterious space. Emcee: I don't think that that space is a mysterious space for a lot of people!? Ray: I don't need it, I don't need it (LOL) Emcee: Speaking of which, why did Sato-san want to ask this question? Ryuji: I mean, because I've never bathed with Ray-kun before... Ray: (Makes an amused sound)

THESE BOYS xD The emcee's probably wondering what he signed up for. LOL!

They also had a small segment where individual fans got to ask questions using a mic during the audience question segment.

Question: About Sato-san's silver/ash-grey hair, was the photo an edited one? Ryuji: No, at that time I did dye my hair silver, but it wore off in about 4 days. I really need to re-dye it... Ray: Was it silver!? Ryuji: Yes, that's right. Ray-kun, have you dyed your hair before? Ray: I have. Blond, for example. Ryuji: Something like this [his current hair colour], is it okay? Fan: Yes! Both silver and blond suits you, and I like/love it! Ray: I like/love that blond hair too! Emcee: Eh!? Did you have to purposely say that into the mic!? Ryuji: Haha. Ray: I am, after all, the one who likes/loves it more! Emcee: (To the fan) I'm sorry, but it looks like he [Ray] doesn't want to lose to you [in who likes/loves Ryuji’s hair more], so please forgive him.

Apparently, Ray said that he liked Ryuji's blond hair about 2 or 3 times xD

In the second event, the boys talked about their experiences in singing the theme songs for the Double Drive movies.

Ryuji: Ray-kun... I honestly think that his English pronunciation is really good. Ray: Ah~~ (LOL) Well, there's that I guess (LOL) Ryuji really has the feeling of [someone who is in] a band. Well, I'm also in a band, but like the electronic sound, the sound of the guitar is really nice. Also, that fast paced rhythm. Ryuji: The composer is tatsuo-san after all. Golden Bomber's [tatsuo-san]. Ray: And, as expected, Ryuji's voice is really good. Ryuji: Ah!.... Is that so (shyly embarrassed) Ray: You suddenly seem to be really happy. Emcee: This is the most high tension he's been [for this event]. Ryuji: Ah~ Yes, yes (still shyly embarrassed)

The poor emcee. LMAO! Welp, there is a reason why Ray considers Ryuji to be his buddy even in real life xD

The boys also talked a bit about their impressions of each other.

Ray: Ryuji is rare amongst young actors these days in how manly ("otokorashii") and generous he is. He also takes proper care of his juniors, and is someone who is really admirable. Ryuji: Ray-kun is the big brother type. I like/love that big brother temperament of his.

And, their first impressions of each other.

Ray: Ryuji was doing the stage where you cheer on your idols... Cheer on your idols, or how do you put it, ah, [describing it is] troublesome (LOL) That Present one (LOL) [1] When I attended that stage, and he came to greet me, my first impression was that he's a nice young man, a good kid. My second impression was, he'd often wear a matching set of clothing... Ryuji: (Here, fan reports describe him as trying cutely to remember) Yes, I did! Ray: (To Ryuji) It suits you. (Turning back to the audience) His top and his pants would both be brown or purple. Eh, purple!? I was surprised by that because there aren't many people who'd look good in purple!? My second impression was [that he was] amazing! Ryuji: I watched tokusatsu [the one that Ray-kun was in] [2], so when I saw him for the first time, there was the feeling of, "He's [the] real [Fujita Ray]!!" Emcee: Today, I did that (LOL)

All three of them also discussed the nicknames that they wanted to give each other.

Emcee: During the time between the first event and second event, the topic of wanting to give [each other] nicknames came up. Ryuji: My desire to give [people] nicknames welled up within me. Emcee: Well then, how about we give [someone] a nickname? What do you think? For Fujita-san. Ryuji: Yes, that's right~ It'd be Dukku Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun Fujita. Ray: Eh? (LOL) Which part of me is Dukku Dun Dun Dun? (LOL) Ryuji: Kind of like, based on the image of your hairstyle? Ray: So, it's only for today? It's a nickname only for today? (LOL) Emcee: Dukku Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun Fujita-san? Ryuji: (And here, the fan reports mention that Ryuji counted very cutely with his fingers) Dukku Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun Fujita. Ray: (Here, Ray also counts with his fingers) Dukku Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun Fujita? Ryuji: Yes, that's right. Emcee: Well then, now from Fujita-san to Sato-san. Ray: Hmmm.... "To-"!!! Ryuji: Ah, he can't do it. Ray: Hold on! I'm not done yet! (LOL) To-... Spontaneous dancer. He'll suddenly start dancing. Ryuji: I'm practicing. So that I'd be able to dance at any given time, so that I won't forget (Here, Ryuji does a little bit of the dance). Emcee: That's so professional~ Ray: What was the dance that you did in dressing room [for]? Ryuji: Lost The Memory [3] Ray: The type of person who dances while walking on the streets? Ryuji: I don't (LOL) Those are real dancers. There are also people who do this while waiting, right? (And, here, he apparently did some really flashy gestures) Ray: That's dancing too much (LOL) Ryuji: As for Gentle-san (the emcee)~ Komagome Pipette. [4] Emcee: Ehhh!? That's what I'm like? Ray: Somehow, I can understand that~ Ryuji: Somehow, I mean, you're like someone who we can pinch? (Here, he pinches his fingers together) Emcee: Well then, I shall change my name to Komagome Pipette. Ray/Ryuji: No, you don't have to do that (LOL).

Ryuji~ LMAO! Gentle-san (the emcee) also found Ryuji to be very cute, apparently xD

They also talked a bit about the speed at which they memorised their scripts.

Ray: Speaking of which, Ryuji, you memorise your script really fast, right? Ryuji: I'm normal [in how fast I memorise my script]... I think. Ray-kun is at approximately the middle-tier, upper level? Ray: Ryuji is... At the upper-tier, middle level. Ryuji: (LOL) Ray: The very top level would be that we can flip through the script, and we're good to go.

And, the boys were also asked the question of what's their Kanji [5] word for this year.

Ray: Ah~ Ryuji is right in front of me today, so it'd be "Ryuu" ("流"). I got to shoot a movie [with him] and at events like this, get to talk to him [about various things]. Ryuji: As for me, it'd be the "ei" ("映") in "eizo" ("映像", which is loosely translated to filmed image or videos). Because I was given the opportunity to do quite a number of screen/film jobs this year.

NOTE:

[1] Ray's talking about the Nelke Planning Idol Stage franchise, "Present 5" ("Present◆5") which tells the story of a visual kei band that becomes an idol group when their visual kei career falls through. Ryuji played Yamato Kyousuke aka YAMATO, who is the leader of the group.

[2] The tokusatsu that Ryuji talks about here is most likely GARO, the Japanese tokusatsu series sometimes referred to as "Golden Knight Garo" where Fujita Ray acts as the character of Suzumura Rei (Zero).

[3] "Lost The Memory" is a song from the "Musical Touken Ranbu ~Atsukashiyama Ibun 2018~ Paris".

[4] The Komagome Pipette is a type of pipette. For more information on what a pipette is, please refer to this page: HERE

[5] The term “Kanji” refers to the Chinese characters that have been adopted into the Japanese writing system

[beachandtmusic]

Top 10 albums mid year

By Nick Beach

I’ve been ranking albums mid year and at year’s end for four years now and I’ve been writing on and off for about five years now and this had to be one of the toughest pieces I’ve ever written. 2018 has been a hell of a year for music and on top of that I like to be timely with things. I waited until mid July to publish this because I struggled so much to come up with my 10 favorite albums so far this year and to properly order them. Hey I tried here it is.

1.ye - Kanye West: I was puzzled even with the number one spot but yeah it goes to Kanye. I may be in the minority on the Internet with my opinion that Kanye’s run of short GOOD Music albums spanning over May and June was a good decision. ye has multiple songs I could legitimately see myself returning to in 10 years. No Mistakes and Ghost Town are generational songs that have still given me chills on every listen. I also think this minor run of people that are still hanging on to Kanye’s mainstream popularity playing Yikes and All Mine on the radio and in clubs is extremely fun because it makes me feel like a kid and Kanye’s talent hasn’t changed despite his public perception.

2.My Dear Melancholy - The Weeknd: Sticking with the short album route I think Abel produced one of the best albums of the year front to back. Try Me, Wasted Times and I was Never There seems to be the three song stretch I’ve returned to most this year. A stellar live performance also helped me make this decision but in terms of blending high level singing with high level production not much has matched My Dear Melancholy so far this year.

3.Kids See Ghosts - Kids See Ghosts: I think the shorter album typically has a much higher probability of every song being good not having as many potential skips on a full listen and Kids See Ghosts is a perfect example of that. Reborn has grown on me bigtime with the way Cudi changes his voice on that final chorus. Kanye’s verse on Cudi Montage is also my favorite verse of the year and it rivals Ghost Town for the song that induces the most emotion for me. Feel the Love is also so much fun and the screaming will make this an awesome pump up track for years to come.

4.Wide Awake! - Parquet Courts: Parquet Courts is a rock band from Denton, Texas residing in New York making some of the most creative music out today. I found the record from a positive Fantano review and wasn’t a huge fan after my first listen. After giving it another listen it really started to grow on me as some of the instrumental pallets and punk rock singing are so catchy and hard to stay away from. I see Parquet Courts as a band I’ll be listening to for years to come and they’ve really helped me get me rock fix in thus far in 2018.

5.Knock Knock - DJ Koze - Hats off to Noah Simpson for recommending this album to me as a good study album. Instead I used it as a packing album while moving out of my apartment when my school year was over and it’s been in rotation ever since. This is some of the most relaxed yet entertaining electronic music I’ve heard in a long time. Pick Up, Muddy Funster and Bonfire are definite highlights for me. It’s a long album you’ll never get sick of due to how versatile it is. It can be played in just about any atmosphere and brighten the mood on a dime.

6.Harder Than Ever - Lil Baby: I was a little late to the game with Baby as I started listening shortly before this record from the Atlanta emcee was released. He has now vaulted to hip hop stardom off his hit single Yes Indeed but Harder Than Ever has so much more than that. Cash, Life Goes On and First Class have some of the most catchy lyrics of the year and Southside is a certified banger from trap music’s best producer. The album is full of trap heat and Baby brings back the feeling of being an early Young Thug and Future fan as they began to gain far more recognition from the hip hop community a few years back.

7.Daytona - Pusha T: Now that the tears dry and the pain takes over, let’s talk that payola. This opening line to Push’s Santeria is a laid over my favorite beat in the run of Kanye produced albums for the GOOD Music camp. Daytona is an extremely memorable album full of hard production and gritty street rap from the longest running trapper of the year. The beat and vocal change in the middle of If You Know Your Know is so hard and the fact the song Infrared has become a squad wide joke and still manages to be a good song is pretty impressive.

8.Freddie - Freddie Gibbs: This is an album that could potentially vault higher on the year end list with more listens but the quality is surely there. The song Triple Threat is classic Gibbs delivering hard bars over a banger beat. The album is littered with classic Freddie Gibbs which I think was a huge hope for his fans after his last release You Only Live 2wice was a bit underwhelming.

9.Activated - Tee Grizzley: I initially expected to be higher on my list but with time I’ve realized it’s not as easy to get through the whole album as it is to my favorite tracks on it. Tee is still one of the best out at going from relentless rap to emotional singing and making it sound good with the snap of a finger but overall the project isn’t as good as its highlights. Jetskii Girzzley, Bag, Too Lit and Robbin are all stellar tracks however and remain firmly in rotation.

10.Culture II - Migos: I had to do it. No I know the album isn’t that great overall but it still has some of my favorite hip hop tracks this year that I will never stop going back to. This album has created countless jokes amongst my friends and me and has produced I couldn’t even tell you how many instagram captions and comments once our excitement for Huncho Jack died down. Supastars, CC, Too Much Jewelry, Open It Up and Movin’ Too Fast are amazing tracks from the Migos and you can’t discount their talent and ability to make fun hip hop despite their poor decision to make a 105 minute album with a ton of fluff.

[airwindzone]

#MERHONgforever A hosting and coordination event, accomplished with a grateful heart for the trust to be the emcee and Coordinator for the wedding of Mr. Jomer Lodia and Mrs. Honeylet Ortega Garcia May 8, 2018 Photo concept by Flipfat Studio For your event needs just contact me, Airwind Bautista Contact Number: 09285989799 or 09271512567 Extending my gratitude to Michaela’s Weddings and Events for my barong. Look for Melissa Maala Espiritu at 09393842710 Thanks to Ipe, Quincy and Keithline for the assistance. An event partnership with the following suppliers: Coordination: Events by Airwindzone Accoustic Band: Jazz In Case Photo/Video: Flipfat Studio Event Styling & Catering: Charles Dacunos Hair & Make-up: CJ Cuison Glam Team Cake: Sugar Artisan Bridal Gown: Gladi Echavarre Invitation: TVON Studio Souvenirs for the Ninang: De Castro Weaving of Abel Bangar Sparklers from Aringay, La Union Venue of the Ceremony: St. Christopher Parish, Bangar, La Union Venue of the Reception: Buenavista Family Inn, Farola, Tagudin, Ilocos Sur #WeddingHost #eventhost #weddingcoordinator #eventcoordinator Follow more of my posts at my social media accounts: Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Flipagram: @airwindzone FB Page: www.facebook.com/airwind07 www.facebook.com/airwindzone Blog: http://airwindbautista.blogspot.com http://airwindzone.wordpress.com http://airwindzone.tumblr.com FB account: www.facebook.com/earthairwind www.facebook.com/wind.hangin #photography #SocialMedia #shoutout #PinkPhotographer #blogger #AirwindZone #Philippines #Filipino #TurismoFilipinaByAirwindzone #SharePh #choosePhilippines (at Agoo, La Union)

[cocofandomfriendly]

GRAND TOTALS ARE IN!

Primary Miguel - 300.5  (47.5) Héctor - 833.5 (120) Imelda - 340.5 (64) Ernesto - 326 (70) 

Secondary Elena - 128.5 Coco -298.5  (160) Óscar & Felipe - 65 Julio - 145 (100) Rosita - 60 Victoria - 183.5 (20) Chicharrón - 15 Pepita - 135 (115) Dante - 400 (170)

Minor Enrique - 17.5 Luisa - 22 Socorro - 71 Manny & Benny - Rosa - 15 Abel - Carmen - Berto - 32.5 Gloria - 17.5 Franco - Gustavo - Frida - Ceci - Emcee - 20 Misc. Alebrije (includes fancharacters) - 100 Misc. Character (includes fancharacters) - 67.5

(Numbers in parenthesis are the points that were earned on Saturday, while the numbers outside of parenthesis are the total points for that character overall!)

WE HAVE OUR WINNERS!

Héctor wins for the primary, Dante wins for the secondary, and in a sudden twist, Misc. Alebrijes win for the minor!

Thank you to everyone who participated in this event! This was a lot of fun, and it couldn’t have happened without your hard work. Thanks to you, the fandom now has dozens more beautiful pieces of fanart for everyone to admire!

Thank you again for participating in this event! ¡Adiós!

[dancingarchitect]

There have been times when I’ve wondered if Black Thought should be in the running for #goat emcee. This video is one of those times. My friend and colleague, drummer Morgan Childs, actually transcribed these amazing rhymes: Uh I’m sorry for your loss it’s somebody dead in a car and it’s probably one of yours The writin’ all across the window and the walls Whether it was true or false We shouldn’t have got involved Remember We walked past the teacher take the chalk and laugh We wrote punishments “I will not talk in class” Now it’s pistols punishing people for talking fast And all these innocent bystanders is haulin’ ass I hate to say “I told y’all” but I told y’all Things fall apart when the center to weak to hold y’all I’m just collecting what you owe to my owe jar You ‘bout to get swooped down on and stoled on Fools swear they wise, wise men know they foolish but we was headed for the web even before computers I never thought you’d give me a reason to do this Cain and Abel Jesus and Judas Caesar and Brutus I see intruders avert yer eyes I told you keep out of the hood Circumcise How could you sleep, I thought you always was the first to rise Eyo you heard the line Errybody plays the fool Well I be that exception to the rule The principal that hand deliver lessons to the school I was makin’ major moves My dollar déjà vu My mission when my ambition was brandishin’ the tool to be an icon wearin’ slippers made of python Get mine quicker ‘cause I’m slick as a pipeline Transportin’ the oil tribulation and toil hit the operation but I’m back in the soil Got my crown tilted, my gown quilted silk with cashmere burn the room down in a minute, built it last year Newsflash, I dodged the bullet that killed the cashier My homie told me to come with him to the masthead Them brothers said don’t go from written bars filled with rage to prime time television and your gilded cage Then forget there’s people in the world still enslaved I bar white at my wrist, and let it fill the page Gunfire and flare Sirens glare I’m in an iron chair with people who care don’t get the lion’s share When I don’t give a fuck then I ain’t fair I’m on a higher table people getting’ money like the finest hair Catch the herald I’m fresh chopped and beveled rap on a doctorate level so F Scott Fitzgerald Maybe I’m the new Rakim Maybe I’m Fab Pharoah Undergarments are armor be my intimate apparel Pre-Kardashian Kanye My rhyme play immaculate Same cadence as D.O.C. pre-accident Maybe my acumen is on par with Gucci rappin’ and gimme the proper respect motherfucker we back again For a couple things we lost in a fire the drive and desire to perform on a higher plateau I make that show lost in a mire Wondering how we got so far from inspired Look, when photos were sepia toned and record players were something you would keep in your home Yo the traveller the meanin’ Tariq he was known For the exemplary performance, uniquely his own I made the 21 pound for some a newfound religion When money’s put down there’s only one sound to make OGs and young lions equally proud to listen To seek what amalgam-ism an algorithm comin’ from where only kings and crowns permitted to darkness Where archaeologists found my image in parchment rolled into a scroll holdin’ a message for you It said the only thing fo sho is taxes death and trouble The anomaly, sworn solemnly high snobbery Freakinomics and war policy dichotomy That’s Heaven and Hades Tigris and Euphrates His highness, the apple of the iris to you ladies As babies we went from simolac to infomill to the internet and fentanyl when our consent was still against the will I got that detox for y’all The microphone doctor black Deepak Chopra I’m a griot that make you want to peacock your arm every heavy dignitary payin’ me top regards boy I’m three octaves far from the bi noc ulars so the smart money feelin’ get the heat out the car yo I’m K dot Lamar meets Tupac Shakur Got profiled by a few cops too hot to charge, listen somebody said a price tag was on a rapper’s head so we gonna see a nice bag when a rapper dead the mast black the flag green black and red they probably wave a white flag out the prasma shed (?) no doubt Yo the Game went they own route I can’t explain what these lame kids is talmbout Or how they fit they whole foot into their own mouth I put a couple bodies in a brown bag then I’m en route I’m sneaker shoppin’ with my stuntas size 8 prior to they release, cuz why wait? Look, in my state I got electrified gates for these blasé gods hatin’ at a high rate ‘cause I dodged fate then got great to fly straight if we ain’t family or friends then we don’t vibrate and I’m that Gun in yah face none of y’all safe If I catch you at the right time in the wrong place Slippin’ Sipping on somethin’ with a strong taste Like whiskey or bootleg bourbon with a corn base (Malavine?) take resemble a vehicular threat The mic I spray resemblin’ a sickle of death It ain’t strenuous to come from a continuous breath I set fire to the venue Imma spin you in step Rinse repeat You checkin’ for the sound of the beats I’m the hound I’m a creep I get down Imma eat Imma keep sumpin’ and lay a naysayer to sleep playin’ wit heat nobody and nothin’ fucking with ‘Riq yo these weaklings is claiming they cutting up in the streets Nigga peace You ain’t workin’ with nuttin’ but the police, listen you ain’t feelin’ to be nothin’ but the deceased, listen you in the tournament with a permanent crease I strike fear in the hearts of rap figures who mind bears the stigmas of time no black privilege From Boom Bap niggas To trap niggas you in the trap wit us When the lines is as vivid as the walls on that grab all the graph by the law to rap I reside between the seconds on the chronograph How much more CB4 can we afford? It’s like a sharia law On My Cherie Amour How much hypocrisy can people possibly adore? But ain’t nobody workin’ on a cure? My young boy Y’all just regular I’m an apex predator Brim stay fresh feathered up etcetera nevertheless I got a message of love One day a messenger yo my pen is Henry Kissinger Buzz Bissinger, look My caporegime Mr Noradeen and my oldest son Amin Saleem outta New Orleans Took a golf cart to the baccarat From the Waldorf What was on the walls? That depend on what you call art Imma say 300 k ain’t even in the ballpark I charge more just for awkward small talk So yes Who’s fuckin’ with it if it’s not the best? I get the lobby painted fresh upon my request It’s Kafkaesque His holiness stop the press that cobalt blue Reminiscing on my caress Lord, we got Padma Lakshmi for you Let her massage the back with black seed oil The foundation is firm, the flags need soil Me, I need royalty because I bleed royal Go through the veins to the brain fabulous and strange My journalistic range is a catalyst for change They got anybody to listen pissin’ flames and ‘cause the Hall of Fame got so many missin’ names I’ll acknowledge the original peoples not Oliver Y’all will the get the next challenger for Excalibur Um… more police for my core beliefs They tried to capture me and brand me on the cheek with a fleur de lis that side of my heart’ll be more discrete I’m international, my passport pages like War and Peace I’ve always played my part From the start Back in Philly where the triggers is mandatory to spark With the slightest inflammatory remark I have you in a livin’ a category apart, listen A grain of salt’ll tip the scales It never fails Walk on eggshells sleep on a bed of nails Criminal records like record sales Makin’ heads or tails we like Henrietta (L)acks Up in the cells My mother was a working class very loving woman who struggled, every dinner could have been her last supper (summer?) I come home chasin’ good for nothin’ half cousins and then walk in the crib to the smell of crack cookin’ she was introduced to that substance abuse or some of the strongest drugs that the gov’ment produced look, I even got excused by the principal My story is out of the dub dub interview I seen some ice cold summers, hot winters too I never thought I’d win Grammy awards with the Roots I never thought I would be getting’ long in the tooth My OGs told me “boy, you better go and live your truth” I am a walking affirmation That imagination and focus and patience gets you closer to your aspiration and just cuz they give you shit don’t mean you have to take it My words capture greatness sworn affidavits Yours truly the celestial being You stay seein’ pulling up in a fresh European High steppin out of it dressed to a T And not another got more soul, unless you Korean (!!!!) I’ve been Havin’ visions of Nat Turner holdin’ his master’s head like Yoric and Horatio in Hamlet Smackin’ it like a tennis racquet underhanded Send a message to the gram the eagle has landed Dressed in a military jacket made of canvass I am no guerilla/gorilla I just make ‘em go bananas I stand and wear black and green bandanas cocked hammers hairs on my chin is outstandings Can’t manage the weight of the world is just how I ball it Look, I’ve fallen from the sky to see my calling I’m not crawling I’m a free man like Morgan Seein’ manhood in the hood’s a damn good bargain If every black man don’t tap dance and every girl that got a fat booty don’t lap dance well I guess it’s something wrong, huh Niggas completely uninformed I don’t burn bridges, yo, I keep the haters round to fall I ain’t one of y’all peers I’m the sum of all fears Somebody stronger than me, who that? I mar ears like Obama I wish he had another four years Y’all some jolly good Hollywood squares I’m like “ahem” approach the author witcha offering I smoke rappers writin’ like my only offspring Being his excellency is to be exhausting You in the residency, you’re the one they call King Dolla Ali Baba the talented Mr Trotter Inside of my right palm the marker to stick My the big papa wig chopper Enter the Jaffe Jocker mawfucker I’m stronger than the coffee out in Kaffa All y’all make his vagina hot remind me of my kinda pop I step into the booth I’m a bull inside a china shop Mollywhopper washin’ of a cotton pickin body drop Every time we rock, yo they actin’ like it’s Mardi Gras Til the party stop ‘sgirl was like she there for rory gel (the fuck?) So we saw you pumpin’ that Earth Wind and Fire body ya Cool the Prada Dakar la Merino hard body up You seen another rapper cleaner, mami prolly not How it feel to be the best that did it I’ll admit it I’m visiting from planet bring these niggas down for minutes And y’all know I’m exquisite Wicked as Wilson Pickett The sickness I exhibit I’m too legit to quit it I don’t fake it til I make it, I take it to the limit and break it Never tentative when I’m bad I represent it A feeling just like chases Been a million places Conversation is how beautiful my face is People hated on how sophisticated my taste is Then I pulled up on these motherfuckers in a spaceship Panther mind I’m made of elements you can’t combine I’m at a level of intelligence you can’t define Einstein, Shakespeare, Voltaire, Tesla Recording artist slash psychology professor I preach for the east Never fold under pressure The beast from the east and I glide like Clyde Drexler Eyo my new name is Eighty Five Exes cause I’m the rap game certified specialist When I was reckless I was worried ‘bout the guest list I’m helpin’ rappers everywhere fulfill a death wish Yo Flex, I’m glad we made contact My nigga also know, this shit for combat Brain matta contain too much data I tell a story like fingerprints and blood splatter

[peggydugginsmuso-blog]

10 Most Anticipated Hip-Hop Albums of 2019

While all types of music share the beautiful ability to bridge the gaps between people, let's not fool ourselves and act like the music industry works the same across the board.

For instance, while most of the bands and pop stars who made waves in 2018 will now venture out on exhaustive tours, go on hiatus, or do anything for two or three years except consider putting out another album, many of the same names in hip-hop and R&B who commanded headlines, turned heads, and dropped dope records, collabs, and singles last year will be back in 2019. And as long as everyone is on their meds (seriously, take care of yourselves), we're 100% down with that.

In 2019, greats will get a chance to re-establish their greatness, underground talents will attempt to conquer the mainstream, and unique artists will continue to push hip-hop in new and thrilling places. Call it a repeat. Call it a rerun if you want, but it's the best show on in 2019, and we ain't flippin' the channel.

–Matt Melis Editorial Director

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Cardi B – TBD

Cardi B in “Money” music video

Why We're Excited: If Kendrick Lamar quietly proved in 2018 that he's still the king, Cardi B struck a royal balance by ascending to her queenly throne with as much pomp and fanfare as possible. Cardi took over Coachella, stole the show on SNL with her classy baby bump reveal, sent an album's worth of singles straight up the charts, and finally answered Austin Powers' longstanding question: “Really, who throws a shoe?” Let's face it: since “Bodak Yellow” hit the charts in mid-2017, Cardi B has run the rap game like cardio. Now, fresh off the presses (or day-old at worst), Cardi B has announced that her Invasion of Privacy follow-up will creep into fans' hands in 2019. While most new mothers and reigning hip-hop royalty might consider stepping out of the spotlight for a time, Cardi has proven she's got the swagger, flow, and “okuuuuuurts” to not wear out her welcome anytime soon. –Matt Melis

Sample:

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Childish Gambino – TBD

Childish Gambino, photo by Ben Kaye

Why We're Excited: Now that he's no longer making the Kessel Run alongside Han Solo, or nursing a broken foot, Donald Glover should have little to no distractions when it comes to music for 2019. Of course, we say that as if he didn't deliver one of the best songs last year in “This is America”, even while juggling the aforementioned projects, so can you imagine what he'll do with even more time? Something substantial, no doubt, and the stars are beginning to align. Already, Glover's booked to headline Coachella, which has become the de facto billboard to promote a new album, and he even has appropriate material for the time of year with “Feels Like Summer” and “Summertime Magic”. Couple all of this with his forthcoming appearance in Jon Favreau's The Lion King and we're looking at a Summer of Gambino. Hopefully, it's not his last. –Michael Roffman

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EarthGang – Mirrorland

EarthGang

Why We're Excited: “Don't believe the hype” might be one of hip-hop's Ten Commandments, but sometimes we just can't help ourselves. Everything about EARTHGANG - the oddball hip-hop duo from Atlanta featuring Johnny Venus and Doctur Dot - suggests that they've got plenty to back up any buzz they're getting. Hell, it's why we made them our Artist of the Month last February. In 2018, not only did the pair brilliantly cap off their Rags, Robots, and Royalty EP trilogy, but they also dropped the first single from the upcoming Mirrorland, a freaky slow jam called “Stuck” that teases how these wonderful weirdos might just manage to squeeze into our solar system in 2019. –Matt Melis

Sample:

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Run the Jewels – RTJ4

Run the Jewels, photo by Philip Cosores

Why We're Excited: One of the only positives of last year's Venom - other than seeing Tom Hardy trump a garbage movie - was hearing new music by Run the Jewels. After all, it's been two years since the surprise Christmas release of RTJ3, and so much has changed in the interim, which makes their forthcoming sequel all the more exciting. “I've been collecting beats and we're just going to kind of try and make the grimiest, rawest record we possibly can,” El-P told Beats 1 in October. Though, as Killer Mike countered, “We always really were just about making nasty rap records, man,” contending, “We never were the type of people who were looking to make records that were addressing specific political situations. If it happens, it happens, and it does on occasion, but we're not Public Enemy. What we're trying to do is be two guys in a friendship from different places having the time of their lives and making something that everybody can make the scrunchy face to when they hear.” Hey, that works, too. –Michael Roffman

Sample:

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ScHoolboy Q – TBD

Schoolboy Q // Photo by Philip Cosores

Why We're Excited: Everyone needs time to grieve, even Schoolboy Q. If you recall, the Compton rapper had intended to release the follow-up to 2016's Blank Face LP by the end of 2018. However, those plans changed when he announced to his fans at Chicago's House of Vans back in September that he would delay the album following the tragic death of his friend and collaborator, Mac Miller. “I'ma go back, and I'ma figure out when I'ma put this fucking album out, because y'all are going to get this album,” he insisted. “I promise that. I'm just not ready to walk into the radio station and the first thing they ask me is 'So Mac Miller…' I'm not ready to deal with those questions. I'm not ready to put nothing out right now. I'm sorry.” Considering the album was reportedly “90%-95%” completed back in August, it really comes down to when he's ready to let it go. –Michael Roffman

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SABA, Noname, and Smino – TBD

SABA, Noname, and Smino, photo by SABA

Why We're Excited: The only intelligent response is, why wouldn't we be excited? For our money, Chicago emcees SABA and Noname dropped two of the best hip-hop albums of 2018, Care for Me and Room 25, respectively, and Smino wasn't far behind them with eclectic singles “L.M.F.” and “KLINK” off his accomplished second full-length. Now, mix SABA's storytelling with Noname's jazzy flow and Smino's wildcard flavor, and you have a trio that have the chance to change what the future of hip-hop sounds like. If that doesn't excite you, nothing will. –Matt Melis

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Solange – TBD

Solange, photo by Philip Cosores

Why We're Excited: Sibling rivalries don't make much sense as you get older, especially when you count Queen Bey herself as Big Sis. But if there is one kid sister out there who could hold her own in the type of world where music critics just can't help comparing siblings, it would be Solange. Her 2016 album, A Seat at the Table, earned her just that, especially the utterly gorgeous and relatable single “Cranes in the Sky”. Solange made her believers wait eight years for that full-length. And, quite frankly, after a record as unique and promising as A Seat at the Table, we couldn't wait that long again. Luckily, we don't have to. –Matt Melis

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SZA – TBD

SZA, photo by Natalie Somekh

Why We're Excited: By the time Spring hits, SZA may have both a Golden Globe and an Oscar sitting on her shelf, that is if either the Hollywood Foreign Press or the Academy deem “All the Stars” worthy for Best Original Song. (They have competition.) Still, that shouldn't stop her from maintaining her day job afloat, and while there's been no official announcement, the singer has been teasing her highly anticipated followup to 2017's CTRL. In September, she responded to one disbelieving fan by tweeting, “…A's already done,” casually confirming a possible title. In October, she spoke at length to New York's 105.1's Powerhouse, saying: “I want it to be 100 percent honest to whoever I am in this moment because that is the only way it will work. But I just personally think now it's just about getting to the root of who I am. But faster, clearer, more concisely. Like just learning the understanding of self.” And, just last month, she teased clips in a since-deleted Instagram post. Simply put, something's coming. –Michael Roffman

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The Weeknd – Chapter 6

The Weeknd, photo by Natalie Somekh

Why We're Excited: Last year was a slow season for Abel Tesfaye, aka The Weeknd. After popping up on Black Panther: The Album in February and dropping his My Dear Melancholy EP in March - both of which warranted him two Platinum-certified, Billboard-charting singles in “Pray for Me” with Kendrick Lamar; and “Call Out My Name” - the award-winning crooner kept things relatively low key with minimal buzz. In November, however, Tesfaye told his fans at a Toronto gig, “I haven't been this inspired in years and I want you guys to be the first to know I'm working on my new album right now.” So far, we know very little with regards to features and its sound, but we do know that it's titled Chapter 6 and that it won't be another EP. As he later teased on Twitter, “some chapters are smaller than others. not this next one though…” Ooh, cryptic! –Michael Roffman

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Kanye West – Yandhi

Kanye West, photo by Joshua Mellin

Why We're Excited: It's hard to believe that in a year when Kanye West produced five albums - two of which he starred on and all but one he appeared on - in just under a month that our focus would be on everything but his music. But Kanye tweeting at odd hours and wandering, sadly and quite literally, in front of television cameras speaking incoherently like a person off his meds stole the show. He's since done some public relations tidying up, and we can only hope that the artist capable of helming an album like DAYTONA and delivering a song like “Ghost Town” will leave the little, red hat and superhero cape at home and go back to being an undeniable “genius” in the recording studio. –Matt Melis

[eighthmark]

Just for funsies, @sherrykinss and I got to talking about what a nsfw, naughty calendar with some of Raúl’s characters (wearing nothing but props) might look like! It gave us too good a laugh not to share with the beloved fandom.

January (Nevada) - Leather boxer briefs February (George) - Artist’s palette, or a blank canvas “covering the art”. March (Jonas) - The collar April (Chilton) -  The cane and some silk boxers, perhaps? May (Alfredo) - A briefcase of homeopathic antidepressants June (Philip) - Sack of Lemons July (Bobby) - Birthday cake and a glass of bourbon August (Abel) - Wooden rocking horse September (Luis) - Oversized tie October (Barba) - Suspenders November (Emcee) - Top Hat December (Coconut King) - The coconut crown.

Let us know your favorite month, and whether you’d add or remove anything from your calendar?

[rz-jocelyn]

Personal Update: Tadaima! xD

I’m back from Japan ♥ And, it probably comes to nobody’s surprise, but Ryuji was *amazing*, like seriously, AMAZING.

I was lucky enough to be able to attend two performances for the “Musical Touken Ranbu Kashuu Kiyomitsu Tanki Shutsujin 2018″, and I was absolutely blown away by how incredible he was both times. 4 new songs, 5 main outfits, 7 costume changes, and 1 and and a half hours of almost nonstop dancing and singing (except for 2 very short emcee segments). 

And, his vocal performance as well as his dancing, and above all, his performance as Kashuu Kiyomitsu, was just mind-blowing; he was SO GOOD OMG.

For anyone who is interested, here are just some short snippets of my impressions,

Non-spoiler reaction to the first performance: HERE

Non-spoiler reaction to the second performance: HERE

Spoiler snippets of the performance(s): HERE

Spoilers for the costumes: HERE 

Fanart of some of the costumes: HERE 

Also (and this I’m seriously thanking my lucky stars for ♥ ♥ ♥), I managed to snag a ticket to the “Double Drive ~Ryuu no Kizuna~” movie premiere stage greeting! 

THE BOY WAS SO CUTE OMG ♥ I’m seriously appreciative of how lucky I was to be able to attend the stage greeting because experiencing Ryuji as himself compared to experiencing the boy as his characters is truly a world of difference (to date, I’ve seen him live as Uchiha Sasuke and Kashuu Kiyomitsu, but the stage greeting was the first time I had ever met him as himself xD). The press photos do not do justice to him (and the rest of the cast) at all; he is *so* gorgeous IRL and his blond hair makes him look so fluffy and cute OMGGG. 

As for the movie, without giving too much away, it was an emotional roller-coaster ride. It was a lot of fun but also had a very strong emotional core, and JUNYA IS HSKGFAJHSDFGKASJD. 

Junya (Sato Ryuji) and Arisa (Kizaki Yuria) are so pure and sweet (but their relationship is in no way straight-forward) and I want to watch “Ookami no Okite” even more now to see how Junya and Abel’s (Fujita Ray) relationship developed into the easy partnership they have in “Ryuu no Kizuna” ♥ 

And OMGGGG! “OVER” (the theme song for “Ryuu no Kizuna” done by The Brow Beat) IS AMAZING!! HSGKFAJHSDGFAS THE BOY’S VOICE ♥ And the lyrics are incredibly fitting for the movie *emotional*

For anyone who is interested, here are just some short snippets of my impressions,

My reaction upon attending the stage greeting/movie: HERE

Snippets from the stage greeting: HERE

Spoiler snippets of the movie: HERE

The various snippets of the “Musical Touken Ranbu Kashuu Kiyomitsu Tanki Shutsujin 2018″ and “Double Drive ~Ryuu no Kizuna~” are not entirely organised and incomplete/ongoing, but I just wanted to link them here in case anyone would still be interested? xD

*rolls up sleeves* And now, back to business! Yoroshiku onegaishimasu~ ♥

[sinsiriuslyemo]

Raul Characters/ Writers List

Active Agents

Writer               Characters             Actor or Actress

sinsiriuslyemo - Rafael/Charlie – Mary Louis Parker

abrasivepersonalitytendersoul - Jonas/? – ?

vintagemichelle91 - Nevada Ramirez/Mia – Jessica Alba

rauliskafan - Frederick Chilton/? – ?

missjennifercole - Abel Plenkov/? – ?

RAUL Staff

Character Name/ Actor/ Job/ Owned by/ Notes

Trish/ Meg Ryan/ Lead agent/ sinsiriuslyemo/ Notes: Trish is rumored to be one of the founding members of RAUL. Typically does not go into the field, but with the recent surge of agent deaths while under the former leadership, she is listed as an active agent.

Stewart/ Anthony Rapp/ Trish’s personal assistant/ sinsiriuslyemo but can be written by anyone no permission needed :)/ Notes: Stewart is incredibly loyal and intuitive. He is currently under the protection of RAUL but is able to leave HQ every so often with an escort.

Brainey/ Lin-Manuel Miranda/ Head of Security Intel/ sinsiriuslyemo but can be written by anyone, no permission needed :)/ Notes: Brainey is currently wanted and is not allowed to leave HQ

Cole/ Tom Hardy/ Head of Security/ sinsiriuslyemo but can be written by anyone, no permission needed :)/ Note: Cole is in charge of training all the new recruits. He specializes in hand to hand combat and weapons training.

Available Raúl Characters

Alfredo Aldarisio – Pushing Daisies

Dennis DiPalma – Law and Order: Criminal Intent

Phillip Romero – A Gifted Man

Bobby – Company

Caractacus – Chitty Chitty, Bang Bang

Phillip Perez – 666 Park Avenue

The Emcee – Cabaret

Riff Raff – Rocky Horror Picture Show

David Ostrowski – Medium

Charlie Fox – Speed The Plow

Lenny – The Homecoming

George – Sunday in the Park with George

Valentine Coverly – Arcadia

Charley – Merrily We Roll Along

Luis Sanjuro -- Custody

Jackson Neill -- The Path

Note: The characters in which Raúl Esparza portrayed a nonfictional character (aka, a real person) will not be available for this story, nor will Raúl himself be available. Also, if I missed a character, please feel free to contact me and I will add them to the list!

Also for your convenience, here is a list with scenes from most of his more obscure characters! Thank you so much to the anon who suggested this!!