Classic Songs

This is still one of my all time favorite songs. I still bump this song when it comes on. It's still on heavy rotation on the IPOD. If I recall, GOODIE MOB was a driving force for Outkast to make this song (I may be wrong). Unfortunately, the video version is a much shorter version of the song. Back then, I was like that cat Cee-Lo is nice on the Mic. Man has he proved me correct on that one. Loved his verse on this. I also enjoyed Big Boi's and Dre's verse. Man I love the whole song.

Subject:New Redman mixtape. , Oh oh. Reggie noble. RT @okayplayer: Download the new mixtape from @therealredman - Pancake Syrup

Classics songs

I've decided to start blogging about songs (specifically Hip Hop) that I think are classics and will survive the test of time. To start it off I decided to post Nas's whose world is this. Both the original video and the remix.

The Original:





The remix:

Restaurant Review of Estadio in NW D.C.

It has been a while since last time I wrote a blog. Actually, I’ve been meaning to blog about a list of different topics, but I’ve been somewhat busy this fall and sometimes blogging takes the back seat to sleeping and getting other things done. A good friend of mine (@hobdragon) recently called me out on my lack of blogging so I told him I would get back on the wagon. Today’s blog will be a restaurant review. I actually have a few reviews I have started but I haven’t been able to complete. Since I recently went to Barcelona, Spain for vacation, I decided to get back on the blogging wagon with a review of a Spanish tapas restaurant I visited here in D.C. before my Barcelona trip. The name of the restaurant is called Estadio. 

Estadio is located on 14^th ST NW between Church ST NW and P ST. NW  (1520 14th Street NW Washington, DC 20005). The neighborhood it is located in is known as Logan Circle. Logan circle is a trendy neighborhood south of the U St. NW corridor. 

The restaurant has a unique décor. I guess they were trying to stick with a Spanish theme based on the wooden dining chairs with the intricate designs (as if I know what I’m talking about). Check out the following pictures so that you can come to your own conclusion as to what type of décor they were aiming for.

Bar

Small Bar

Dining Room

Okay back to the review at hand. Okay so I have to warn that this is a Tapas restaurant, so most of the menu comes in small plates. To start the night off I decided to order a Spanish favorite called Jamón (Pronounced Hamon) Serrano. 

 Jamón is cured ham. I am not that much a ham eater (or as my aunt and cousin says the swine) but I really enjoy Jamón. When paired with firm cheese (usually sharp) it proves to be a very tasty appetizer. All I have to say is hmmm Hmmm good. If you know the Spanish, then you know they wash down every meal except breakfast with wine or some type of liquor. Therefore, I decided to try some of their Sangria (if you don’t know what Sangria is, please up your drinks game) made with wine and Cachaça (for my next restaurant review, I will explain why I specified what it was made with). Cachaça is liquor made from fermented sugarcane. It is the most popular distilled alcoholic beverage in Brazil (Site of the 2014 World Cup. I will be there. How about you?).

Okay time to move on to the other dishes I tried while at Estadio. I decided to order the roasted wild mushrooms. The mushrooms are sautéed in olive oil with parsley and fresh garlic. I must admit this was probably the tastiest mushrooms I’ve ever eaten. It was so good that I was a little disappointed that it was a small plate, hence my reminder that this is a Tapas restaurant and they specialize in small plates.

I then proceeded to also order the scallops with the roasted cauliflower. I’m going to just go out there on a limb and say that if I were you I would skip this one. Remember small plates and the dish didn’t really speak to me like the mushrooms did (BTW mushrooms were saying “order more of me, you know you enjoyed my taste” or was that my stomach?).

I almost forgot that I also ordered the grilled country bread with tomato and olive oil. This is pretty much a side dish of bread with olive oil that was grilled and tomatoes seasoned with olive oil and other light spices. I recommend it also.

Well I hope that you have enjoyed my review of Esadio. You should stop in to visit, if not for food at least for some drinks. One thing I forgot to mention is that the restaurant doesn’t take reservations after 5:00 pm and the wait may be a little long.

Thai dinner w/ my mom while in atlanta for the Classic.

   Chicken Satay

  

   Penang w/ Shrimp

  Rama 

So, I'm in Atlanta for the FAMU vs. TSU classic, and you know I must hang w/ moms before I engage in any classic festivities. We decided to go out to this restaurant in Decatur called Saigon Cafe. This  is not the first time we have been to this restaurant. We've actually been here a couple of times since 2006. The first time we came here was around Christmas 2006 when some relatives were visiting from Jamaica. This is the first time I've decided to blog about it.


Well I must admit that this is a pretty good Thai/Vietnamese restaurant. I have only sampled the Thai side of their menu, but I'm pretty sure that the Vietnamese side is pretty tasty as well.

We started off with an order of Chicken Satay. I have to admit this was the best chicken satay I have had in a long time. It came with a sweet peppery dipping sauce unlike the peanut sauce a lot of other restaurants serve.(see the fist picture)

I ordered the Pengang with shrimp. You can also get it with chicken, beef, and a seafood mixture. I have to admit it was pretty good. I woudn't have minded a little more pepper but it was very tasty. (see the second picture)

My mother ordered Rama w/ just vegetable. This also can be ordered with chicken, beef, and a seafood mixture. This was pretty okay but kind of tame. (see the third picture)

So if you ever in and around the downtown Decatur area stop in an check it out. One thing I don't recommend is their Thai Ice tea. I am not a fan.

Summertime Music to Ride out to.

DJ Jazzy Jeff & Mick Boogie put together this summertime blend. I like it. Check it out.

The following is the play list:

1. Summertime Intro
2. Kool & The Gang: Summer Madness (Live Version)
3. Kool & The Gang: Summer Madness
4. Quincy Jones: Summer In The City
5. Ahmad: Back In The Day
6. Ice Cube: It Was A Good Day
7. Roy Ayers f/ Mary J Blige: Everybody Loves The Sunshine
8. Pharcyde: Passin’ Me By (Ffej Remix)
9. Jay-Z f/ Babyface: Sunshine
10. Ramsey Lewis: Sun Goddess
11. A Tribe Called Quest: Find A Way (Ffej String Edit)
12: Bush Babies f/ Mos Def: The Love Song
13. Jodeci: Get On Up
14. The Commodores: High On Sunshine
15. J Dilla f/ Dwele : Think Twice
16. Erick Sermon f/ Marvin Gaye: Music (Mick’s Marvapella Edit)
17. Bernard Wright: Who Do You Love
18. LL Cool J: Loungin’
19. A Tribe Called Quest: Hot Sex
20. Main Source: Live At The BBQ
21. Nuyorican Soul: Nautilus
22. Pharcyde & Sublime: Summertime
23. Fresh Prince and Jazzy Jeff: Summertime Remix
24. Michael Jackson: I Can’t Help It
25. De La Soul: Breakdawn
26. Musiq: Just Friends
27. Carl Thomas: Summer Rain
28. Faze-O: Riding High
29. Dionne Warwick: Walk On By
30. Skee-Lo: I Wish
31. Black Moon: Who Got The Props
32. Frankie Beverly and Maze: Before I Let Go
33. Nu Shooz: I Can’t Wait
34. Montell Jordan: This Is How We Do It
35: The Roots f/ George Benson: Breezin’
36: Fresh Prince and Jazzy Jeff: Time To Chill
37. Biggie: Can’t You See
38. James Brown: The Payback
39. En Vogue: My Lovin’
40. Bobby McFerrin: Sunshine Of My Life
41. Fifth Dimension: Let The Sun Shine In
42. Mos Def: Sunshine
43. Nine: Whatcha Want
44. Otis Redding: Sittin’ On The Dock
45. 2Pac: I Get Around (Mick’s String Edit)
46. Zapp: Computer Love (Terry’s Mirage On The Water Mix)
47. Seals And Croft: Summer Breeze
48. Jay-Z: Dear Summer
49. Weldon Irvine: Morning Sunrise

Good Music to listen to.

I came across this DJ’s website Chris Read. He puts together some good blends from what I’ve heard so far. Check it out. I just downloaded another MJ tribute that he did. From the playlist, it looks like it might be a good one. The following is the playlist.

Chris Read presents Michael Jackson: The Legacy

1. Jackson 5 – Maybe Tomorrow (Loop)
2. Jackson 5 – Ain’t No Sunshine (Loop)
3. Dwele – Tribute to Michael Jackson (Re-edit)
(Cover version of Michael Jackson – Human Nature)
4. Nas – It Ain’t Hard To Tell (Acapella)
(Original version samples Michael Jackson – Human Nature)
5. Nas – It Ain’t Hard To Tell (Instrumental)
(Samples Michael Jackson – Human Nature)
6. SWV – Right Here (Demolition Mix)
(Samples Michael Jackson – Human Nature)
7. Jackson 5 – People Make The World Go Round
8. Pete Rock & CL Smooth – Appreciate (Acapella)
(Original Version samples Jackson 5 – 2,4,6,8)
9. Jackson 5 – 2,4,6,8
10. Pete Rock & CL Smooth – Appreciate (Instrumental)
(Samples Jackson 5 – 2,4,6,8)
11. The ARE – Walk On
(Samples Jackson 5 – Walk On)
12. Michael Jackson Interview
13. Jackson 5 – We’re Almost There (DJ Spinna Remix)
14. The ARE – We’ve Come Too Far
(Samples Jackson 5 – We’re Almost There)
15. Cool V – Tribute To Scratching Part 2 (Re-edit)
(Samples Jackson 5 – We’re Almost There)
16. Jackson 5 – ABC (Tokya Ska Paradise Orchestra’a Justa Roots Rock Mix)
17. Jackson 5 – ABC (Album Version)
18. Naughty by Nature – O.P.P
(Samples Jackson 5 – ABC)
19. De La Soul – Breakadawn (Foncett Power Radio Mix)
(Samples Michael Jackson – I Can’t Help It)
20. Michael Jackson – I Can’t Help It
21. De La Soul – Breakadawn (Album Version)
(Samples Michael Jackson – I Can’t Help It)
22. Michael Jackson – Heartbreak Hotel
23. Heavy D – Peaceful Journey
(Samples Michael Jackson – Heartbreak Hotel)
24. Jackson 5 – It’s Great To Be Here
25. Jackson 5 Interview on Soul Train
26. Jackson 5 – Good Thing Goin’ (DJ Bobo James Remix)
27. Jackson 5 – I Want You Back (DJ Z Trip Remix) (Loop)
28. Jackson 5 – I Want You Back (Acapella)
29. Jackson 5 – I Want You Back (Original Version)
30. DJ Z Trip – Motown Breakdown
(Samples Jackson 5 – I Want You Back)
31. Eric B & Rakim – I Know You Got Soul (Double Trouble Remix)
(Samples Jackson 5 – I Want You Back)
32. Eric B & Rakim – I Know You Got Soul (Acapella)
(Remix samples Jackson 5 – I Want You Back)
33. Jackson 5 – Enjoy Yourself (Loop)
34. Michael Jackson – Rock With You (Cookin Soul Remix feat. Notorious B.I.G)
35. Jackson 5 - The Love You Save (Sunaga T Experience Remix) (Loop)
36. Michael Jackson – Rock With You (Acapella)
37. Jackson 5 – Blame It On The Boogie
38. Michael Jackson – Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough
39. Michael Jackson – Bad (Acapella)
40. Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Loop)
41. Ian Brown – Billie Jean
(Cover Version of Michael Jackson – Billie Jean)
42. Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Demo Version)
43. Michael Jackson – History (J Dilla Remix) (Loop)
44. 911 call from the Jackson Residence
45. Zulema – Where You Are
(Cover Version of Jackson 5 – I Wanna Be Where You Are)

The Roots Perform Dear God 2.0 On Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.

A great song off of The Roots latest album "How I Got Over".

Is that legal?

The other night I was driving home and I decided to take H street NE to Benning Rd. I pulled behind a group of cars waiting on the light to change from red to green. Of course, if you’re not familiar with that area of town, it’s currently undergoing major construction due to the Trolley system that’s going to be running through the H Street Corridor. Anyway, one DC’s finest patrol cars pulled up beside me and I could see into the their patrol car. The officer on the passenger side was typing in something on the laptop in the car. I realized that the set of alphanumeric characters the officer was inputting was the license plate number of the car in front of them. After he or she, for some reason the gender of the officer slips my mind, inputted the license plate number of the car directly in front of them, the screen did not show anything, at least from my viewpoint.  I started thinking to myself they must be following this car and was checking to see if the car was stolen.  The officer then proceeded to input another set of alphanumeric characters. I then realized that this input was the license plate number of the car in front of me.  I was like wow.  Jake (slang term for police officers) is just riding around checking people’s license plate numbers. They probably ran my license plate number as they passed my car. I wonder if this type of activity is common across the city or is it just practiced in majority black neighborhoods. What do you all think?

Consequences video "Childish Games" featuring Asher Roth

Another song I really like on Consequence's latest joint "Movies on Demand". I especially like Asher Roth's verse. His style is somewhat similar to Eminem's. Maybe I'm just saying that because they are both white. Any way its a hot song.

New Consequence Video: "Life is short"

Another song I like of his latest joint "Movies on Demand"

Random Pics that I've come across recently

Over the last couple of weeks I have been snapping picks with the camera from my HTC Hero. Its surprising how many things I come across that I find funny or sometimes interesting. I try to take pictures of things that at one point was very popular but as time progressed they have faded into the background as well as our memories. I also try to to snap things that just make you go hmmmm.  Well take a look at the following pics I snapped (some of them secretly):

hmmmm. No words for this one. Pay attention to the seat belt keeping the door closed. WTH. LOL.

I saw the telephone booth next door to a chick-fil-a in Woodbridge, VA by my job. These use to be everywhere. Now you can barely find them. I wonder how many people lost jobs due to the decline and need for telephone booths. 

Yes he is rocking a box. I see this guy all the time eating when I go to lunch. You would think this would be a rare sighting of the box, but it is an epidemic. I saw someone rocking one in Philadelphia last weekend.

Sade-Babyfather

I really like this song also. I think I am going to go ahead and get her latest CD even though I heard its not as good as her last one "Lovers Rock". Maybe I like the song because of the subtle Caribbean overtones, or maybe its because I like looking at Sade. I wonder if how she looks in person. She's 51 and if she looks as good in person as she does in her videos I'll even be more impressed. I wouldn't mine my future wife to look that good at 51. LOL.

Big Tune for the Summer "Hold Ya" by Gyptian

Seems this will be one of the biggest tunes of the summer. Lots of other artist on the the same riddim (aka rhythm for you non Caribbeans LOL).

An oldie but goodie

I use to love this song back in the day. I still do. The track was hot. Classic Primo.

Dave Chappelle - Talks about sick Hollywood environment

I was listening to 89.3 WPFW and was reminded about this interview of Dave Chappelle on Hollywood. So I decided to share it. I know from time to time I have called people crazy but we really need to stop it because most of the time we just don't understand them or their point of view.

Jerk Turkey Thigh Recipe

With trying to keep with the theme of quick meals for the brothers and sisters (cant forget the sisters out there) that find cooking a challenge, either because they are intimidated by the kitchen or they feel they just don’t have enough time, I’ve decided to share another quick recipe that I think is bursting with taste and flavor.  This is a recipe I decided to try one day because I wanted some jerk chicken but I only had turkey thighs in the freezer. So I figured, why not jerk some turkey. I’ve had jerk snapper, lobster, pork (back in my days of eating pork), and chicken. I recommend to everyone that if you really want some good jerk, head to Boston Bay Beach, Jamaica. It’s the jerk capital of the world. They have a jerk festival every year around the 4^th of July.

Anyway, back to the jerk turkey thigh recipe. It’s really easy to make.  The great thing about this recipe is that it’s really simple to prepare. The preparation time is about 5 to 10 minutes (not including the time for the meat to marinate in the jerk season). You see, jerk is best when the seasoning has time to soak into the crevices of the meat, whether it is chicken, fish (I know it is not technically a meat, but you know what I mean), beef (never had jerk beef before), or pork. The first thing is to get the ingredients.

Ingredients:

·      Two table spoons of Jerk Seasoning (I prefer Walkerwoods traditional jerk seasoning)

·      Two Turkey Thighs

Wow, can you believe that’s all the ingredients you will need. If you would like to make your own jerk seasoning (yea right) be my guest. But why reinvent the wheel when there are plenty of off the shelf jerk seasonings that are very good. I told you it would be very simple and quick. Stick with the KISS method. Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS).  

Materials:

·      1 baking/roasting pan (A pan w/ a roasting grill would be great but if you don’t have one, any roasting pan will do)

·      1 Medium sized mixing bowl

Preparation Steps:

1.     Wash the turkey off w/ some vinegar and water. (I like to wash anything I am planning to cook). Note: You can either leave or take the skin off. Turkey usually has less fat that chicken, so I tend to leave the skin on, but you can take the skin off and it will still turn out great.

2.     Using your hands (make sure your hands are clean), yes your hands, slowly massage the two teaspoons of jerk seasoning into every nook, cranny and crevice of the turkey thighs. Food tastes so much better when you personally bond with it. Become one with the turkey.

3.     Let the turkey marinate in the seasoning in the refrigerator for about an hour. Note: the longer the turkey marinates the better it will taste. I usually like to let the turkey marinate overnight.

4.     Preheat the oven to 375°

5.     Place the turkey in roasting pan (Skin side up) and then cover the roasting pan with foil.

6.     Let the turkey roast for 30 minutes then flip and let the it roast for another 30 minutes.

7.     Uncover the roasting pan and flip again. Let the turkey roast for another 10 – 15 minutes uncovered.

8.     Remove the roasting pan from the oven and check to make sure the turkey is fully cooked.

That’s all to it folks. Simple isn’t it. I recommend serving this with a baked sweet potato, which can be baked the same time as the turkey, and sautéed spinach (recipe coming soon) or sautéed cabbage.

Does it Take One to Raise One?

Does it Take One to Raise One?

The other day I was listening to the Steve Harvey Morning Show, while driving to work, and the strawberry letter was read. I’m not going to go into detail about the strawberry letter, but while Steve was giving his commentary on the letter, he made a comment saying that it takes a man to teach a boy how to be, act, and be responsible like a man. He was attempting to make a point that women, not matter how hard they try, cannot teach a young boy how to be a man. His rational for this was that young boys need a man (father or father like figure) in their life to emulate, in order to understand the true meaning of being a man. This got me thinking a lot about myself as well as a lot of other brothers that grew up in single parent households where the mother was the sole provider and disciplinarian. Have we somehow been deprived the teaching of becoming a man since we were raised by our mothers and how has this affected us during our adult years?

First off I have to give praise to my mother, because she raised me to the best of her ability and I think I turned out to be okay. Don’t get me wrong, I think I still have a long ways to go, but everything in life is a continuous work in progress.

To get back to my point, I wonder how not having a father figure constant throughout my adolescence has affected me during my adult years. Has it affected me in a negative way that my continuous growth into manhood has been some way stunted? Has my lack of a father in my life affected my views on marriage and raising kids? I’ve always wondered if I have a good reference point for being a good husband or father. Does it really take a man to teach boy how to be a man?

Ladybug (Digable planets) Resurfaces.

Am i just late on this one. Check it out.

Wyclef YouTube video on Yele Attacks.

Jay Smooth on Haiti

The Single Man's Guide to Cooking.

If you know me, then you know that I really enjoy cooking. Credit my mother for starting me out on this path. It turns out that cooking, for me, is very therapeutic. Whether I am in a bad mood or just plain bored, cooking has provided me with a way to relieve stress while engaging in an activity that I truly enjoy. A lot of people comment on the fact that they find it very interesting that I enjoy cooking. What really puzzles everyone is my ability to find the time to cook so many different types of meals during the weak. Co-workers have commented on the fact that they do not have the time to plan much less prepare the meals during the week. Given this, I have decided to let everyone in on a little secret. The majority of the meals I prepare can be prepared with in about 30 minutes with the maximum prep time of about an additional 30 minutes. Yes, 30 minutes. Given this fact, I have decided that I will be posting recipes of quick meals on my blog in the future. In fact, I recently posted to my blog a recipe for cabbage that takes about 30 minutes to prepare (that includes the prep time). My target audiences for these posts are my brothers and sisters that find cooking to be a challenging activity and too time consuming. So, look forward to my upcoming turkey meat loaf.

Sauteed Cabbage Recipe

1/2 head of chopped cabbage (washed of course)
3 cloves of chopped garlic
1 chopped onion
1/4 of sliced bell peppers (yellow, green, & red)
1 Teaspoon of Chili garlic sauce
olive oil

• Heat olive oil in frying pan
• Add chopped garlic to pan and sautee
• Add chopped onions and bell peppers to pan and saute until the onions are half way cooked (they will start to look transparent)
• Add cabbage to pan and stir continuously.
• Add either small amout of salt of some other type of seasoning with salt in it. (not too much)
• Add chili garlic sauce to pan (be careful; Sauce is high in sodium)
• Stir cabbage while its cooking.
• add additional garlic sauce to season to your liking.