Remembering Amy: Where Were You A Year Ago Today?

Last year, one of the most shocking and unexpected moments in pop culture came when Amy Winehouse died at the age of 27. Amy had a voice that was truly like no other, with a story that most could relate to; just not to the extent of what she was really dealing with that troubled her so deeply. Amy's voice was made of power, beauty, and originality and no one could scat quite like her in this day and age. She was surely a breath of fresh air not only to listeners, but to many other popular singers and performers of today's music. I must admit, though I was super spaced off of the brownies I had eaten the night before, the news that the artist I had supported, cherished, and recommended to many friends had passed was too great of a burden and pain to bear. I will admit, I did cry the night of Amy's passing while I was at a bar and 'Rehab' along with a few other hits from Amy came on the radio in the bar. It might have been alcohol that pushed the tears through, because I was already hurting all day from her loss and could not find the proper words nor actions to display my sadness. Amy was the catalyst for what myself and many others were feeling during the times of darkness and loneliness whether it be from a relationship or just the troubles of life itself; I understood every word and it hurt so much to have someone you could relate to so much just up and leave out of nowhere and according to the autopsy(s), nobody truly knows why.

In the short time you were here, you gave life to a style of music that the world had long forgotten, and you spoke on the reality of the pains of bad relationships to a level that was far more personal than anyone could have ever imagined. In three albums, you were able to capture an audience made up of ages and backgrounds of all sorts and you have inspired a generation to tell the truth about everything, even the hardships they endure in life. Amy Jade Mermaid rest in paradise, we miss you.

Message from the Editor: New Content Same Home.

So for the past few months, I have been yapping on and on about a blog I could create for local and unsigned/non-acknowledged talent from around the DMV area, but worldwide as well. For years people have been describing me as a person who literally "knows everybody everywhere!" and I think now it is time to put these resources to use. I have been doing slew of interviews with talent of all sorts, from acting to music, to writers, to producers in film and video, to photographers, to managers, to promoters. Pretty much, anyone who has any kind of contribution to any art form is welcome to be showcased on this blog. I have been thinking for weeks on end what I should name this blog and what theme it should have, I was at a standstill until just a few moments ago when I realized that I could use this blog, YES THE ONE YOU'RE READING NOW!, to facilitate and showcase all of this great talent that most of the world is clueless to. The ultimate goal of this blog would be to get some of these talented people a bit more spotlight and a place where their work can be shown to a variety of readers who enjoy reading this blog. I will continue to story-tell and vent on social issues, but I believe I have said all that I can in the two short years I have been writing this blog. Now, it is time for a change of venue onto something I have been passionate about since I have had the ability to write in a creative sense about something that I hold very near and dear to my heart and my life, the arts. I can not begin to explain how enthused I am about being a driving factor in gaining a person new listeners or viewers for their art. This blog will be about the artist and their contributors more than anything. If anyone would like to help me in starting up this process, or have any cool angles from which this whole process can be viewed, do not hesitate to hit me up and share your point of view.

#MAJORMUSICKDROPS by muSICK(ceeMAJOR & C Notes)

New music from the homey ceeMAJOR (@CeeMajorMusick) & C Notes "Trippin'" Get your summertime music fix and jam to it right here!

Where Did the Priorities Go?

Today, the Penn State Lions were slapped hard by penalties and sanctions against their football program over the next 4 years. Their scholarships will significantly decrease, Penn State will not be allowed to play in bowl games over the next few years, and all wins from 1998-2011 will be vacated, decreasing the wins from 409 wins to 298 wins; the school will also be fined $60 million for their acts of negligence during Assistant Coach Jerry Sandusky's acts of pedophilia and molestation against young kids and members of the football club itself. What is more shocking than this more than appropriate punishment, is the way the public has reacted. Keep in mind, that for more than a DECADE a perverted man, Sandusky, was touching little boys and everyone who was apart of the Penn State football program knew of what was going on, including head coach Joe Paterno, who is no longer the most winning coach in NCAA Football history after his wins vacated wins. But in the issue of children, the victims, and their families...which is what this is all about, the general public has once again decided to divert it's attention away from the issue at hand, and focus on the school being "penalized too hard". Given, I think that the players who have to suffer the consequence of their coaches and officials negligence is unfortunate and unfair, but the penalty as a whole is perfect. The NCAA made it a point to show that no issue in football, or football itself should ever be placed higher than the well-being of it's players and children who were/are affiliated with NCAA athletics. Taking away scholarships, bowl games, and records fits the punishment accordingly, contrary to the beliefs of the general public, the victims will not be able to erase what treacherous, disgusting acts happened to them, but at least justice was served in the sentencing of Sandusky and the penalization of the football program for years to come.