The Roots- The Next Movement

Not only is this such a good song, but it’s a very creative video.  The video shows the band performing in various positions and brings humor and simplicity to the video.  Just the look of Amir “?uestlove” Thompson when he has his bandmates sitting on his shoulders makes the video well worth it.

2pac- Changes

This has to be the best posthumous Tupac video.  It is a great tribute to a brilliant rapper, poet, and actor.  With scenes from his other music videos, his movie roles, and interviews he gave early in life, it is a powerful piece of work.  The icing on the cake is when the camera zooms out on all these images and TV screens to show a mosaic of Tupac.  Great video.

Michael Jackson- Thriller

Did you really think I wouldn’t include this one?  Basically a mini-movie, this defined the epic music video.  Great story, great song, great choreography.  What else can be said?

Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers – Mary Jane’s Last Dance

I remember seeing this video while I was in 7th grade.  It is a very creepy video.  The house on the cliff in the moonlight is very Tim Burton-ish.  The ending scene of the video when the body floats to the surface… Sends chills up my spine every time.

Prodigy – Smack My Bitch Up

This video wouldn’t be that great if it weren’t for the ending.  I don’t want to spoil it so I won’t say much about this one.  Just watch it.  All the way through.  Very good video.

Pearl Jam- Do the Evolution

This Tod McFarlane animated video is very powerful.  It goes along well the song and show that even though we may become more and more advanced we’re still really just the same.

Common – Come Close

This is a really great video by Chicago rapper Common.  The song is about love and features Common driving over to his girlfriend’s house and rapping to her from her lawn.  He has large cue cards showing what he is saying because his girlfriend in the video is deaf.  It’s a really good song and video.

Pearl Jam- Jeremy

This video is simply amazing.  This video was banned from the music channels because of its violence.  The video shows a kid being picked on and made fun of so much that he loses it and at the end of the video he shoots himself at school in the middle of class.  The imagery, the colors, the stop motion of the direction makes it a very powerful video.

Talib Kweli- Get By

This video came out after 9/11 and is a great look at New York City.  When I look at it my mind thinks Spike Lee.  One thing that stand out about Spike Lee is how authentic his films look.  That’s how this video looks.  Authentic.  Talib raps in various places in New York and the camera delivers great panoramic shots of the city.  It truly is a beautiful video.

Bone Thugs N Harmony – Crossroads

This video came out when I was in 7th grade and it has been stuck with me ever since.  It is a very powerful and moving video and helped propel this Cleveland, OH rap group to superstardom and a Grammy award.  If you ask anyone who listens to rap what their favorite rap songs of all time are, this is sure to be on their list.

There you have it.  There are many videos that I really like that aren’t on the list and it was hard to come up with my top 10, but as I think about it, these have to be them.  At least for now.

Four Jobs I’ve Had:
Domino’s Pizza CSR
e-Backups, LLC
Missouri State University Computer Services
Dr. Badass

Four Films I Can Watch Over and Over:
The Boondock Saints
Field of Dreams
Old School
Good Will Hunting

Four Places I’ve Lived:
Dellwood, MO
St. Peters, MO
Springfield, MO
St. Peters, MO

Four TV Shows I Enjoy:
House
My Name is Earl
Smallville
Seinfeld

Four Places I Have Been on Vacation:
The Lake
California
Connecticut
Florida

Four of My Favorite Foods:
Pizza
Hot Wings
Cheeseburgers
Lasagna

Four Sites I Visit Daily:
Google News
QN5 Forums
BOTD
Podz

Four Places I Would Rather Be Right Now:
College
A Cardinals Game
A Bar
A Cardinals Game

Four Bloggers I’m Tagging:
Caleb
Anna
Teh Jibbster
RD

• Binary Star- Masters of the Universe- This album is considered a classic by many underground fans. The group, comprised of Senim Silla and OneBeLo (or onemanarmy, or any of the other names he goes by). This album brings socially-concious rap with great beats. They talk about the state of hip hop in New Hip Hop and the act of defiance to stereotypes in Binary Shuffle. The classic song, Honest Expression discusses that is what hip hop is, and not the pop music and thug glorifying you hear on the radio. The group is no longer together, and many hip hop know-it-alls would even say this wasn’t supposed to be an album and is not really Binary Star, but a collection of tracks put out by their indie label that was trying to capitalize on the group’s underground popularity. If this is the case, they put these tracks together to make a classic.
• CunninLynguists- A Piece of Strange- Many of you have heard me talk about this album and how genius it is. Kno, famous for his other CL works, as well as his Jay-Z remix album The White Albulum, delivers beats that are near perfection on this album. I wouldn’t even consider these beats, but more like compositions. While he does sample all throughout the album, the sampling that he creates is more than just a beat. They really are pieces of art. Deacon the Villain shines as a soulful singer, while still maintaining his excellent rapping skills, and new-comer Natti brings that southern flavor in his raps that the world has come to love from other Southern artists. The only difference is that his lyrics actually mean something. The whole album, a concept album, is a story from the first track to the last. CL tell this story with such grace that if you want to listen to just a track or two, you won’t feel left out of the story. This is the group to watch for in the future. Check out the unofficial-official companion site: What is A Piece of Strange?
• Tech N9ne- Anghellic- This is another concept album, this time from Kansas City’s Tech N9ne. The album, similar to CL’s A Piece of Strange, deals with Heaven and Hell. The album is Tech N9ne’s most personal album. He starts off in hell, rapping about how he is tormented, sinister, and living a life he shouldn’t be. He talks about how he a “real killa” meaning not that he is a thug, but that the choices he has made (abortions) have made him a killer. He also raps about committing suicide in the song Suicide Letters. Telling his wife, kids, and fans what he has done wrong. He later struggles with fame and married life in the song This Ring. The songs are deep and hearfelt. Tech is another artist that you should look out for. Rumor has it, Everready:The New Religion, his upcoming album, is going to take us deeper into the Tech N9ne psyche.
• Bone Thugs ~n~ Harmony- E. 1999, Eternal- This is a midwest classic. This Grammy-winning album propelled the careers of Bone and led them to sell 30 million albums world-wide. This album takes us to the streets of Cleveland, Ohio. The rapid-fire delivery of the members, all while maintaining the harmony, was often imitated but never duplicated with such style that Bone expressed. The group has had their ups and downs over the past few years, experiencing lackluster sales, the loss of a group member, and record label fall-out, but no matter what they put out, nothing can tarnish E.1999, Eternal.
• Dogg Pound- Dogg Food- While this album does not feature socially-conscious lyrics and uplifting messages, it is music that you can enjoy just for the sake of it being music. Released in 1994, at the height of the “G-Funk Era,” Dogg Food introduces us to the amazing beat skills of Daz Dillinger, along with the great flow of an early Kurupt. This Death Row Records release helped propel the label and group to super-star status. Unfortunately, the success didn’t last long for the label or the group. Death Row lost it’s 3 most popular artists in Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and Tupac, and the group never did release another album before breaking up. Daz and Kurupt recently reunited, but I don’t think they will ever be able to top this classic.
• 2pac- Me Against the World- This album featured a slew of hits that made Tupac Shakur, the rising musical and screen star, a force to be reckoned with. The album, which debuted at number 1 on the charts while he was in prison, showed us a more sensitive side of Tupac, one that we would soon forget with the release of his first Death Row release, All Eyez on Me. The album shows a more contemplative Tupac, with songs like Me Against the World and So Many Tears. One of his most famous tracks, Dear Mama, shows that self-proclaimed thugs can even express feelings and admiration towards one’s mother. Tupac is an artist that will never die, be it because the mystery surrounding his death, the impact of his music and movies while he was alive, or the never-ending music releases after his death.
• The Roots- Things Fall Apart- This Grammy-nominated album by hip-hop’s most famous band is definitely one of my favorite albums. Many Okayplayers will disagree when I say this is their best album, and instead tell me that Illadelph Halflife is their better album, but I disagree. I don’t think their cohesion as a group and band seen in this album has been matched before or since. The songs are classic, as well as the music composed by the group. The only Roots album that can come close to this one, is the live album The Roots Come Alive.

Well, that’s it for now. I know I can add more, but I’ll leave it at that for now. Make sure you check out the following albums, as they are also some of my favorites:

• Jurassic 5-Quality Control
• Dr. Dre- The Chronic
• Tonedeff-Archetype
• Beastie Boys- Licensed to Ill
• Deltron-Deltron3030
• Kanye West-College Dropout and Late Registration
• Masta Ace- Disposable Arts and A Long Hot Summer

Those are the ones I could come up with off the top of my head. I’m sure there are many, many more that I have read and forgot on this list.

1. If you owe someone money, always pay them back in a bar. Preferably during happy hour.
2. Always toast before doing a shot.
3. Whoever buys the shot gets the first chance to offer a toast.
4. Change your toast at least once a month.
5. Buying someone a drink is five times better than a handshake.
6. Buying a strange woman a drink is still cool. Buying all her drinks is dumb.
7. Never borrow more than one cigarette from the same person in one night.
8. When the bartender is slammed, resist the powerful urge to order a slightly-dirty, very-dry, in-and-out, super-chilled half-and-half martini with a lemon twist. Limit orders to beer, straight shots and two-part cocktails. (especially when i’m in line behind you)
9. Get the bartender’s attention with eye contact and a smile.
10. Do not make eye contact with the bartender if you do not want a drink.
11. Unacceptable things to say after doing a shot: Great, now I?m going to get drunk. I hate shots. It?s coming back up.
12. Never, ever tell a bartender he made your drink too strong.
13. If he makes it too weak, order a double next time. He’ll get the message.
14. If you offer to buy a woman a drink and she refuses, she does not like you.
15. If you offer to buy a woman a drink and she accepts, she still might not like you.
16. If she buys you a drink, she likes you.
17. If someone offers to buy you a drink, do not upgrade your liquor preference.
18. Always have a corkscrew in your house.
19. If you don’t have a corkscrew, push the cork down into the bottle with a pen.
20. Drink one girly drink in public and you will forever be known as the guy who drinks girly drinks.
21. Our parents were better drinkers than we are.
22. Never talk to someone in the restroom unless you’re doing the same thing?urinating, waiting in line or washing your hands.
23. Girls hang out, apply make-up, and have long talks in the bathroom. Men do not.
24. After your sixth drink, do not look at yourself in the mirror. It will shake your confidence.
25. It is only permissible to shout ‘woo-hoo!’ if you are doing a shot with four or more people.
26. If there is a d.j., you can request a song only once per night. If he doesn’t play it within half an hour, do not approach him again. If he does play it, do not approach him again.
27. Learn how to make a rose out of a bar napkin. You’ll be surprised how well it works.
28. If you can’t afford to tip, you can’t afford to drink in a bar. Go to the liquor store.
29. If you owe someone twenty dollars or less, you may pay them back in beer.
30. Never complain about the quality or brand of a free drink.
31. If you have been roommates with someone more than six months, you may drink all their beer, even if it’s hidden, as long as you leave them one.
32. You can have a shot of their hard liquor only if the cap has been cracked and the bottle goes for less than $25.
33. The only thing that tastes better than free liquor is stolen liquor.
34. If you bring Old Milwaukee to a party, you must drink at least two cans before you start drinking the imported beer in the fridge.(or if you bring keystone light)
35. Learn to appreciate hangovers. If it was all good times every jackass would be doing it.
36. If you ever feel depressed, get out a bartender?s guide and browse through all the drinks you?ve never tried.
37. Try one new drink each week.
38. If you are the bar’s sole customer, you are obliged to make small talk with the bartender until he stops acknowledging you. Then you’re off the hook. The same goes for him.
39. Never tip with coins that have touched you. If your change is $1.50, you can tell the barmaid to keep the change, but once she has handed it to you, you cannot give it back. To a bartender or cocktail waitress, small change has no value.
40. If you have ever told a bartender, ?Hey, it all spends the same,? then you are a cheap ass.
41. Anyone on stage or behind a bar is fifty percent better looking.
42. You can tell how hard a drinker someone is by how close they keep their drink to their mouth.
43. A bar is a college, not a nursery. If you spill a beer, clean it up. If you break a glass, wait for a staff member to clean it up, then blame it on someone else.
44. Being drunk is feeling sophisticated without being able to say it.
45. It’s okay to drink alone.
46. After three drinks, you will forget a woman’s name two seconds after she tells you. The rest of the night you will call her ?baby? or ?darling?.
47. Nothing screams ‘nancy boy’ louder than swirling an oversized brandy snifter.
48. Men don’t drink from straws. Unless you’re doing a Mind or Face Eraser.
49. If you do a shot, finish it. If you don’t plan to finish it, don’t accept it.
50. Never brood in a dance bar. Never dance in a dive bar.
51. Never play more than three songs by the same artist in a row.
52. Your songs will come on as you’re leaving the bar.
53. Never yell out jukebox selections to someone you don’t know.
54. Never lie in a bar. You may, however, grossly exaggerate and lean.
55. If you think you might be slurring a little, then you are slurring a lot. If you think you are slurring a lot, then you are not speaking English.
56. Screaming, ?Someone buy me a drink!? has never worked.
57. For every drink, there is a five percent better chance you will get in a fight. There is also a three percent better chance you will lose the fight.
58. Fighting an extremely drunk person when you are sober is hilarious.
59. If you are broke and a friend is ?sporting you?, you must laugh at all his jokes and play wingman when he makes his move.
60. If you are broke and a friend is ?making sport of you?, you may steal any drink he leaves unattended.
61. Never rest your head on a table or bar top. It is the equivalent of voluntarily putting your head on a chopping block.
62. If you are trading rounds with a friend and he asks if you’re ready for another, always say yes. Once you fall out of sync you will end up buying more drinks than him.
63. If you’re going to hit on a member of the bar staff, make sure you tip well before and after, regardless of her response.
64. The people with the most money are rarely the best tippers.
65. Before you die, single-handedly make one decent martini.
66. Asking a bartender what beers are on tap when the handles are right in front of you is the equivalent of saying, ?I’m an idiot.?
67. Never ask a bartender ?what’s good tonight?? They do not fly in the scotch fresh from the coast every morning.
68. If there is a line for drinks, get your goddamn drink and step the hell away from the bar.
69. If there is ever any confusion, the fuller beer is yours.
70. The patrons at your local bar are your extended family, your fathers and mothers, your brothers and sisters. Except you get to sleep with these sisters. And if you’re really drunk, the mothers.
71. It’s acceptable, traditional in fact, to disappear during a night of hard drinking. You will appear mysterious and your friends will understand. If they even notice.
72. Never argue your tab at the end of the night. Remember, you’re hammered and they?re sober. It’s akin to a precocious five-year-old arguing the super-string theory with a physicist. 99.9% of the time you’re wrong and either way you’re going to come off as a jackass.
73. If you bring booze to a party, you must drink it or leave it.
74. If you hesitate more than three seconds after the bartender looks at you, you do not deserve a drink.
75. Beer makes you mellow, champagne makes you silly, wine makes you dramatic, tequila makes you felonious.
76. The greatest thing a drunkard can do is buy a round of drinks for a packed bar.
77. Never preface a conversation with a bartender with ?I know this is going to be a hassle, but . . .?
78. When you?re in a bar and drunk, your boss is just another guy begging for a fat lip. Unless he?s buying.
79. If you are 86?d, do not return for at least three months. To come back sooner makes it appear no other bar wants you.
80. Anyone with three or more drinks in his hands has the right of way.
81. If you?re going to drink on the job, drink vodka. It?s the no-tell liquor.
82. There?s nothing wrong with drinking before noon. Especially if you?re supposed to be at work.
83. The bar clock moves twice as fast from midnight to last call.
84. A flask engraved with a personal message is one of the best gifts you can ever give. And make sure there?s something in it.
85. On the intimacy scale, sharing a quiet drink is between a handshake and a kiss.
86. You will forget every one of these rules by your fifth drink.
–Frank Rich

Things I will not miss

That’s all I can think of so far. Good luck on finals everyone. Good luck in life.

Now, I want to die. That’s a lot of work in two weeks.

Top Albums of All Time
1. Miles Davis- Kind of Blue
2. Tupac Shakur- Me Against the World
3. Green Day-Dookie
4. Jurassic 5- Quality Control
5. The Roots- Things Fall Apart
6. Incubus-Morning View
7. Tech N9ne- Anghellic
8. Michael Jackson-Thriller
9. Dashboard Confessional- The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most
10. Paris- Sonic Jihad
11. No Doubt- Tragic Kingdom

These aren’t necessarily in order. Just my top picks of the moment.