Songs in the Key of the Honest Man's Life - Other Side of the Game.

How does one describe Erykah Badu? The face of 90s Neo Soul? The epitome of random weirdness? The mother of children who likely will face job discrimination because of their crazy names? The voodoo mistress who impacted every rapper she crossed paths with (see Andre 3000, Common)? Pioneer? Truth Teller? Borderline down ass/earth chick??

Honestly I dunno. I do know that I was an instant fan back in '96 when she dropped "On and on." It only got better when I copped "Baduizm" and said to myself INSTANT CLASSIC. Straight rocked the hell outta her CD for months. So imagine my disappointment when "Mama's Gun" dropped. And subsequent albums after that. Just gibberish shit that I didn't understand nor cared to. I was like, just make something that is in English por favor :-).

She's been making a mini comeback with her latest album. It's actually the closest thing I've heard to "Baduizm." And who knew that Badu had junk in the trunk (see "Window Seat" video)? It was like the Alicia Keys "if I ain't got you" video. Yep that kinda revelation. But anyway, today's SITK is my favorite cut off her first album. Her tale of struggling with the great lifestyle she has but all due to the fact her man is pushing snow. And I don't mean the kind you build snowman with kiddies. It's beautiful song that expresses her dilemma over what to do if someone indeed "comes for you."

Erykah Badu - Other Side of the Game

Remembering Dr. King

There will not be any funny comments today. No smart alecky or sacarstic commentary from the Honest Man. No duplicate post like two years where I expressed displeasure on certain pop culture topics. Nope I am coming at you openly, seriously, and honestly.

Today is Martin Luther King Day. Technically his birthday is January 15th but we always celebrate his day on the 3rd Monday every January. But regardless of the date, the point is to remember what this man did for the Civil Rights movement. He was the face of the bigger movement by our fathers, mothers, grandfathers, grandmothers, and countless others to give future generations the ability to do simple things such as get equal opportunities to vote and apply for jobs.

So in honor of him and to express my gratitude for all Dr. King did for folks like me, I'm posting his full "I Have a Dream" speech. Use this as a reminder for the struggle our predecessors went through and the obligation we have to carry on his message and make sure what he fought and died for was not in vain.

Thank You Dr King!

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Know Your Role & Shut Your Mouth - Natch tells it like it is!

The Honest Man decided yet again to launch another recurring blog entry. You might be going damn Honest Man, how many recurring blogs are you going to have? Well I thi....it's DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU THINK JABRONI!!! The Honest Man will launch, deactivate, reactivate how ever many recurring themes for as long as the Honest Man wants to. And that's the bottom line, because The Honest Man SAID SO!!!

If you are able to read between the lines in the above paragraph, then you know what this new series is all about. And if you don't get it, no worries. But for those inquiring, it's wrestling related. Being a huge follower, particularly of the old school, I decided I would start posting some of my favorite promos and moments periodically.

Today's kickoff entry is really just an ode to my man the Nature Boy Ric Flair. Back in college, I used to pop in his tape and listen to his promos before I took big test. I get so motivated listening to him kick knowledge, that I in turn, would take that bravado and just go open a can of whoop ass on that same test. And usually the results were positive. So with that in mind, I'm giving you a motivational promo so that others can feel what it's like to be the man and walk that aisle...WOOOOOOO

Movies the Honest Man Loves - Lean on Me

I think you'll be hard pressed to find a more motivational movie filled with unintentional comedy than "Lean on Me." Seriously, it's got enough one liners and moments for a lifetime. Mr. Clark telling Sams to jump. Benson telling Mr. Clark he's the real HNIC. The man who cheated on Vanessa Williams in Soul Food but's a football coach in Lean on Me getting all Incredible Hulk and flipping over Mr. Clark's desk. Just classic shit.

One of my favorite scenes is the infamous bathroom scene (no not the one where ole girl gets her top ripped off). I'm talking about the one where Crazy Joe busts into the boys bathroom and threatens these dudes to sing the school song on the spot or be suspended. Does it ever occur to anyone that let's just say they didn't know the song? Could you imagine telling your parents you were suspended because you didn't know the words to a school song? Sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen. But anyway, the point is, I just love how the soon to be R&B group Riff gets their "Fair Eastside" on :-)

Movies the Honest Man Loves - Remember the Titans

Today's post was inspired by a lot of different things today. Let me first start with the good. The Honest Man is America's Next Top Corporate Negro (or at least I'm trying to be). I've been fortunate to accumulate awards and recognition for the grind work I've been putting in. The most recent just happened and brought the normal "You Go Boy!" from the family and closest friends plus some love from my bosses. That's the good news....

The not so good part about it. The lack of acknowledgment from my teammates. Less than 1/4 of my teammates offered congratulations. Think about that. I'm on a team of 10 plus people so do you the math. Even though we work in an environment that fosters competition, I still find it cordial to give praise when deserved. Shoot I've been on the other side hearing other folks' getting accolades and I gave them proper recognition (without a hint of jealousy mind you).

I couldn't help but think about that great scene from "Remember the Titans" when Wood Harris lets ole boy know about being on a "team." It so fit how I was feeling earlier. "You call THIS A TEAM?!?!?" Who knows maybe we'll end up yelling "Strong Side, Left Side" at some point ;-).

What the Honest Man is Listening To - Shiny Suit Theory

Wow, I haven't dropped an entry in this series since OCTOBER?? While I'm usually critical of the new music that comes out, I ain't that naive to think nothing good comes out. Besides what I'm about to drop today, I'm feelin' the Eminem-Nicki Minaj collabo, Kid Cudi's joint, that Michael Knight by Wiz Khalifa, you get the gist.

It's no secret, I'm a fan of Jay Electronica. Everything I've heard from him been no less than B+ work. And this new joint isn't any different. A super dope beat backed by equally dope verses from Jay and God emcee Jay Hova. He keeps this up and he'll become part of my homer club (see Kanye, Outkast, Mary J Blige, Sanaa) ha!


Jay Electronica f Jay Z and the Dream - Shiny Suit Theory

Sanaa vs Nia

"I couldn't keep it home, I thought I needed a Nia Long.
I'm trying to write my wrongs,
But it's funny these same wrongs helped me write this song" - Kanye West

Sanaa Lathan. Nia Long. Which one would you choose? That is the question today readers. It's one I've been asking my friends on email, Facebook, instant messenger and other social outlets. And it's one I've where the choice is not one sided. Before I get into that, I should explain how I even got to this point.

The Best Man. Good not great movie. If you haven't seen it, then what the hell are you waiting on :-)? Kidding, I won't spoil it for you. But I was watching it and observing Taye Diggs' character. He's dating Sanaa Lathan but thinking about possibly hooking up with his college crush in Nia Long. I'm going damn oh to be in this man's shoes. So I happened to be on IM, saw Dope Boy King on and asked him if he had to choose, who would he take? And he said Nia. I responded I'm a Sanaa man. At that point, I was like wow that's interesting we would opt for the other for different reasons (he was in love with Nia from Boyz in the Hood, I liked Sanaa after Disappearing Acts). So I expanded the question to others and below I've included some sample responses.


- Nia Long, can appreciate a lady in the streets and a freak in the bedroom..., but still got love for Sanaa (just a cup of dripping hot sexiness) Lathan.

- Since I was a Nia supporter. Here is why I chose her over miss Sanaa....... Because she was supertight in Friday and Boyz N Da Hood when I was a young hormone horny teenager. Soulfood and Love Jones (especially) icing on the cake. Lol Done end of discussion.

- Nia! Sorry but I have yet to see Sanaa in her birthday suit in a movie! Unless I missed something....which I dont think I have!

- Although that's by far a tough one I'd have to go with Nia Long hands down. Partially due to the way she looks now. Thick and juicy like a popeys drumstick...lol

- Sanaa. Nia seems a little high maintenance.

- Sanaa. What did it for me was her donkey in disappearing acts.

I should say the overall responses I got back had Sanaa winning but her responses were normally just "Sanaa" versus the Nia responses, I get a long explanation for why Nia. But on some of them, I got the good point of really does anyone lose in this case and say "no way". All I say is if you are a Nia supporter, at least I don't have to worry about you cock blocking me when I go after Sanaa.

Today's Lesson

Oh to be Taye Diggs :-). That's a tough call for any sane man and actually a GOOD scenario to be in. Because even you lose, you win in this case. The court will now rest....Feel free to post your own response :-)

Songs in the Key of the Honest Man's Life - Nothing Even Matters

I'm flipping it up on ya in today's Songs post fam. You probably thinking that after my recent bootylicious posts, I'm probably would hit you with a Luther Campbell or Doo Doo Brown classic to re-emphasize my point. Nope, I'm feeling the Love Movement, especially after watching "The Best Man" today :-).

1998 was the year Lauryn Hill dropped her debut (and only) solo album. From top to bottom, it's a classic and was properly rewarded at the Grammys. One of my favorite cuts on the album is her collabo with D'Angelo, Nothing Even Matters. I always thought it was the perfect love song. Beautiful words, very soulful harmony, just a beautiful matrimony. I can tell you when I made those Quiet Storm CDs, THAT song was normally on there.

Too bad at that moment in my life, I wasn't looking for long term love :-).


Lauryn Hill f D'Angelo - Nothing Even Matters

The Jeans Test

"Well it's no mystery that ass has always been tits' greatest enemy. It's almost like a Muslim-Jewish thing, but with tits and ass" - Kenny Powers

Last month, I talked about how the snowflakes of the world are coming up in the bootilicious world. I wanted to come back with part 2 of my ongoing "Booty Call" entries but this time address a different subject. That's right my African queens, no continued discussions in this post about how Barbie is not far behind Beyonce in the ass department. This post is in fact about all women. And I felt I needed to address this subject because I myself have fallen victim to it and I suspect some of my my male readers have done the same. And that my friends' is the jean test!

What is the jean test? Simply put it's how you can truly determine if a woman's got an ass or not. Seems pretty straightforward doesn't it. Like a Homer Simpson Doh moment. Unfortunately, it's not always that easy to tell if a woman's packing junk in the trunk. I mean how many times when you meet a girl for the first time is she wearing jeans? Do you really even remember? Of course not. But I tell you what, you don't forget when see a chick that suffers from noassatall. Let me give you an example of what I mean.

I had a co worker that I had a small crush on. She was a little older than me but regardless, I thought she was beautiful. One of the things I thought was attractive about her was her body. She looked like she took good care of herself. And since she was a co worker, whenever I saw her she had pants or dresses on. One day I remember seeing her in black pants and was like "Van Damme!" her ass is bootylicious. Ironically a few days later, a bunch of us were hanging out at a sportsbar and she showed up wearing jeans. When she turned her body, I happened to catch a quick glance, and I was like oh hell no, what happened to her ass??? It's was like being in Nightmare on Elm Street, just a horrible horrible dream. I had been hoodwinked, bamboozled, led astray, lied to, etc. And that was the day I said, if I want to know if a girl truly has been blessed with "ass"ets, then I'm mentally giving her the jeans test.

Do you know how difficult it is to invest in that test? Think about when you see females rocking spandex, bikini bottoms, tight fitting dresses, and what not? I have to forgo my initial thoughts and remind myself, don't proclaim this girl a champion until she puts on some jeans.

Now what's made my test not so foolproof anymore is that they are making jeans to accentuate the ass. Like Apple Bottom jeans. Similar to what the wonder bra does for the washboard women of the world, Apple Bottom and similar brand jeans now create miracles for the flat challenged. It's disheartening really because it makes it difficult to distinguish fact vs fiction. But not to the point where I don't make educated guesses :-)

And for the women who are going "You full of shit Honest Man" calm down! Ladies I would advise you do the same thing for dudes. Trust me, reverse the roles, think about the scenarios and likely you'll find the same result. Of course they haven't invented the male version of Apple Bottom so chances are, your decision making will likely be dead on.

Today's Lesson

Don't be fooled playas. Do your homework, keep an open eye, and don't find yourself tricked by an illusion. And if all else fails, just go for broke and do the old school Humpty, just grab her in the biscuits...and doowatchulyke!

It's a New Year Charlie Brown!!

Happy New Year Readers!! The Honest Man is already a day late in posting the first blog of 2011 but that's because I was too busy partying and running the streets. And that requires about a 1-2 da....aw who am I kidding. The Honest Man was enjoying not having to pick cotton during the holidays so I celebrated by doing a favorite pastime activity of mine...taking naps! Yep no getting drunk and embarrassing my family. No going to IHOP or your favorite diner to reduce the chance of a hangover. No trying to convince a waitress she should be working at the Pink Pony instead of IHOP at night this time. I kept it real simple and boring. Sleep, sleep, and more sleep!

But I'm getting away from the point of this post. In 2009, my first post was on New Year's resolutions. In 2010, my first post was a Songs in the Key entry. So I didn't know what to post. Should I come at you with more resolutions? Should I come at you with another Song entry? Nope I ultimately just said, just like my holiday break, Imma keep it simple for my loyal readers. For 2011, if you aiming to make moves, then start handling your business now. If you trying to catch up, then that means start working harder. And if you just hating, then pimp get your weight up, not your hate up (Shout out to D-Lo)! Catch ya'll on the way to the top!