Beat and Tattoos:Chris Brown "With You"

By now if you're a fan of Chris Brown or just have a tendency to notice new music videos then you've been made aware of singer Chris Brown's latest video. Ask someone about the video and you'll hear, "it sounds just like Beyonce". Chris Brown's "With You" and Beyonce's "Irreplaceable" were both produced by Stargate. Now, producers should have a defined style. "That's a Timbaland track". "I know that Swizz Beats made that song." But how can you determine if a song is stylistic or repetitive. Did you feel that Timbaland's "My love" and "Anonymous" sounded too much alike. When one song starts and you're ready to sing the other maybe it's too far. Personally Chris and Beyonce's song sound different enough to me, because of the tone of the song. One's singing about leaving the other is singing the opposite, so the beat doesn't get in the way. Maybe everyone has listened to "Irreplaceable" too much. Then again Stargate produced "Hate that I love you" does not sound as similar. Maybe as the rumor goes Beyonce's song was given to Chris with an instrument added and a slower tempo. You be the judge.Now let's get into the video. I have to say I like the song. I hated it for awhile, but it grew on me. Even after growing to appreciate it I wouldn't have picked it for a single. Off of his album "You" or the rising radio hit "Picture Perfect" served better as next singles. In all of Chris Brown's 2007 interviews he mentions balancing the young and mature parts of himself. "Kiss, Kiss" and "Wall to Wall" spoke to a young audience. "With You" is sweet pop. Good song, but is this what he's trying to do? Stay cheesy? I don't think so. The transition to manhood in the music business has to be slow, but it still has to happen. The video is still nice, and compared to his goofy antics in "Kiss, Kiss", this video is more mature. It's artistic. The transitions and editing create a beautiful picture. I like.

When watching the video there's this one odd thing I notice. THE TATTOO. Chris fans are aware of the tattoos on his arm, hand, etc. The tattoo under his ear has become known (This tattoo location is getting pretty popular across the US). Yet, a new tattoo has emerged on his neck. Only in the video. Recent television and live appearances show no sign of that new tattoo. The video itself tries to conceal it with nearly all shots shown from an angle that the tattoo can't be seen from. We know that the tattoo was several different sized stars. Someone might want to explain his new fascination with stars to me...







I've managed to capture some stills. Not an easy task considering so few shots feature this odd tattoo. Odd, because it doesn't really exist. We must assume that he got this tattoo temporarily through Henna or airbrush. He got a fake to test it out, but didn't like how it looked so he got rid of it, but not before shooting "With You." As a co-director of the video he made it a point to not filmed from that side.
Check out the whimsy "With You" collage below. The photo that has been included bottom right is from a recent premiere of the film he stars in now in theater, “This Christmas". It's not from the video; it's just there to serve for comparison :)

Doesn't matter Chris. We see it all. Everything that happens outside of the spotlight gets caught on the Fame Light ;)

All Hail The Queen

In October I went to see Queen Latifah in her Trav'lin' Light concert.
She sang well and was a definite crowd pleaser at the House of Blues in Atlantic City. She performed covers of Donny Hathaway with"Gone Away" as well as an upbeat Nina Simone number. Highlights of the show included the reflective song from "Hairspray", called "I Know where I've been". On songs like "Baby Get Lost" and the beautiful "Georgia Rose", with inspiring lines such as , "don't be blue 'cause you're black" her range and spirit shined through. We have some idea of where Queen Latifah has been. I can't say that when I first watched her old classic video for "U.N.I.T.Y" or her urban heist film "Set it Off" I knew she would become a Jazz, pop, and soul singer starring it hit film adaptations of musicals.

Her band was great and the presence she had on stage marks as a true performer. Talking with the audience and bringing her father onstage marked her as a true Queen. When the show had ended the audience erupted into loud cheers and a standing ovation as she exited the stage. Of course the Queen came back out to sing!

Holi-daze part II

Greetings Readers,

I hope your holiday went well. It's only natural to stuff your belly in November and December then wish the weight off as a New Years Resolution. For my Thanksgiving I woke up to watch the Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. There is a lot of labor wars affecting the arts. Most of Broadway appears to be on strike. This years parade catered to those in dire need of sing-a-long worthy songs with jazz squares and kick ball chains. Songs were performed by the cast of "Xanadu", "Legally Blonde: The Musical", and "Young Frankenstein among others. I like my Broadway on the stage. I do not like my Broadway on MTV ( "Legally Blonde: The Musical" ) The live theater experience is amazing and the Parade was all about lip syncing. It was nice to see the band Good Charlotte, American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, and tween' favorites Ashley Tisdale and the Jonas Brothers, but it would've been better to hear them. It would of been better to hear some of them...

Also in attendence "singing" on a float was R&B singer/songwriter Ne-yo. Although I appreciate Ne-yo's music it was not great to see him. He was very overdressed. Neyo is from the west coast, and may have heard that recent New York City weather was in the low temperatures, but on Thanksgiving morning it was sunny and warm. Just looking at him on the TV screen made me hot. Ashley Tisdale's coat and hair bothered me a bit, but Ne-yo...wow. Did you need the hat, the scarf, AND gloves??




I'll have to assume that Ne-yo is a little confused. After being dropped off of the R. Kelly tour for no sane reason I can see. R.Kelly's people say Ne-yo didn't sign a contract. Ne-yo rehearsed,promoted, and produced consistency on the tour. He deserved more then that. I'm not going to bring up R.Kelly's diva behavior on the tour. I will say that Ne-yo was getting better reviews then R.Kelly. For some reason be it ego or delusion R.Kelly was under the impression that people wanted to see him perform. In reality fans jumped at the opportunity to see Ne-yo, Keyshia Cole, and J.Holiday in concert. R.Kelly just came with the package. Unfortunately his songs were popular so it's easy to find yourself singing along to an R.Kelly son. It doesn't mean we have to like it! We don't have to like him. His concert-goes obviously didn't and Ne-yo caught that wrath. It doesn't matter Ne-yo is an artist in every sense of the word. Not the greatest artist, but an artist nonetheless. Waits for a Neyo featuring ________ concert. Who should fill in the blanks...

Holi-daze

I don't have to type that this is the first entry, but I suppose I just did.

I've had it in my mind to blog before I knew what it meant to weblog. I've always been interested in learning information and sharing information. For friends, families, and associates I've acted as a tv guide, news reporter, talk show host, and tabloid writer. It's pretty easy to read the latest new. I believe people ask me about things they could find out for themselves, because it's easier. More importantly because it's my perspective on "fame". Reality blended with commentary for interesting thoughts and humor. Fame. light. - The introduction


November 22, 2007 is Thanksgiving Day. It is a day stripped of it's traditional origin like many present day holidays. With that being said, Happy Holidays! It must mean something to you be it togetherness, feast, or vacation. TVONE is airing the 1997 film "Soul Food" for the majority of the day starting at noon. How's that for tradition :)

Welcome to my blog and stick around if you can. I've got a lot to say!