Hip Hop History: 50 Cent

"What the hell, DJ Helena? Why would a middle aged white broad be interested in 50 Cent?"

The man is a survivor. He came from very bad circumstances and turned himself into something. His songs tell stories, they don't glorify violence. Except for a completely ridiculous video game (50 Cent: Bulletproof) I've enjoyed his body of work.

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He was shot nine times: in the hand (a round hit his right thumb, to where the bullet passed through and out his little finger), arm, hip, both legs, chest, and his face (his left cheek). The face wound resulted in a swollen tongue, the loss of a wisdom tooth, and a small slur in his voice. He maintains a bullet fragment in his tongue because it was thought that taking it out would further damage his nerves and taste buds. His friend also sustained a gunshot wound to the hand. They were driven to the hospital where Jackson spent thirteen days.(From the Wikipedia entry.)

 "It happens so fast that you don't even get a chance to shoot back.... I was scared the whole time.... I was looking in the rear-view mirror like, 'Oh @#!*% , somebody shot me in the face! It burns, burns, burns.'"

 "After I got shot nine times at close range and didn't die, I started to think that I must have a purpose in life... How much more damage could that shell have done? Give me an inch in this direction or that one, and I'm gone"

Jackson has a tattoo of "Marquise" (his son) with an axe on his right biceps. "The axe is 'cause I'm a warrior. I don't want him to be one, though," he explains. He also has "50", "Southside", and "Cold World" inscribed on his back because "I'm a product of that environment. It's on my back, though, so it's all behind me."

~DJ Helena~

Natasha Bedingfield: Soul Mate

Incompatible, it don't matter though
'cos someone's bound to hear my cry
Speak out if you do
you're not easy to find

Is it possible Mr. Loveable
is already in my life?
right in front of me
or maybe you're in disguise

Who doesn't long for someone to hold
who knows how to love you without being told
somebody tell me why I'm on my own
if there's a soulmate for everyone

Here we are again, circles never end
how do I find the perfect fit
there's enough for everyone
but I'm still waiting in line

Who doesn't long for someone to hold
who knows how to love you without being told
somebody tell me why I'm on my own
if there's a soulmate for everyone

If there's a soulmate for everyone

Most relationships seem so transitory
They're all good but not the permanent one

Who doesn't long for someone to hold
who knows how to love you without being told
somebody tell me why I'm on my own
if there's a soulmate for everyone

Who doesn't long for someone to hold
who knows how to love you without being told
somebody tell me why I'm on my own
if there's a soulmate for everyone
If there's a soulmate for everyone

Dark Subject Matter in Mainstream Culture: Thoughts by Codera

Codera discusses why people seem to be accepting of dark subject matter in visual media but can't seem to accept it in music.

I'm lazy, so I'll cut and paste my reply!

I'm trying to picture One Direction performing a Cannibal Corpse song, and it made me pee myself laughing!

I'm old enough to be your mother--possibly pushing old enough to be your grandmother. I remember the old Satanic Panic of the 1980s. Heavy metal music was going to send us all to hell! People were burning records. It was ridiculous.

I have a theory that perhaps the imagery in movies and such makes it easier for people to say "this isn't real," whereas the lyrics to a song trigger different parts of the brain. I've studied just enough psychology to make me dangerous! ;-)

Maybe when a person hears a song with disturbing subject matter it makes them think. It might trigger something inside them, and they can't reconcile it by looking at a picture and saying "I know that's not real." So perhaps they'd prefer to listen to light, poppy stuff because it doesn't make them think so much. It's just an idea that came to mind.

Cannibal Corpse isn't really my cup of tea, and I'm not too much for gore in movies either. I prefer my doom and gloom to be a bit more cerebral. I like Satyricon and Immortal, and I prefer a movie like "Let the Right One In" over "Saw."

On the lighter side (at my age, I'm not ashamed to admit that I have one) I like the Vampire Diaries. Musically, my lighter side prefers the Bee Gees to Lady GaGa. I told you I was old!

I enjoyed your thought-provoking discussion. It's always inspiring to find people of any age who know how to use their gray matter!

Peace.

 

I'd like to suggest that you all take a minute to check out Codera's video and subscribe to his channel. He's a smart young man who actually uses his mind. That may be a dangerous thing! ;-)

 

~DJ Dolly~

Thanks For the Ride

The sound quality is lacking, but there's obvious potential. The lyrics are great!

Thanks For The Ride by Jenna

Verse 1: 
There's a place everyone can hide
and there is someone they will always find.
Then there's you,
you're the only one.
And I need you more than I need anyone.
Oh, it's you,
you're like the sun,
That beam of kight coming through

Chorus 1:
And when you're gone there are clouds of gray
and pouring rain
and the sky is black, but then you come back and they go away
it's all okay
there's no more pain, I just wanna say
Please always stay

Verse 2: 
I feel so safe when I'm in your arms
I love your smile, when you use your charm
I get lost 
in your deep eyes
My heart jumps and its beating dies
Oh, I burn
I melt in place
to hear your voice is all it takes

Chorus 2:
And then I feel alive
I'm on cloud nine
when you're next to me
you are all I see 
when you hold me tight
it feels so right
I saw the light, blinded by the sight
but you did not fight

Refrain:
With you, it all made sense
but then you gave me false pretense.
You left me broken here alone.
And in this dark place I lay sighing, crying, slowly dying.
Do you see what you've done?
Well, now I'm ready to say

Final Chorus:

There are clouds of gray
And pouring rain
And the sky is black
You're not coming back, so they're here to stay
I'm not okay
There's so much pain, I just wanna say
Thank You For The Ride
Was worth the try
But now I'm standing here
it had to end I fear
I thought it would last
please don't forget the past
it went so fast
Now I know not to take advantage of what I had.

Celtic Woman: Away In A Manger

Happy Holidays from your KHEL 666 Krew.

New Pornographers: Joseph Who Understood

Merry Xmahannukwanzyule from your KHEL 666 and Undead in the Netherworld Krew!

Helloween: A Tale That Wasn't Right

A great power ballad from Helloween. This classic metal band is so underrated. I love their style!

~DJ Wanda~

Aldon Smith Deserves to be in Top 10

A little good-natured banter here discussing the top players of 2013. Anyone who knows me knows that I like Aldon Smith. He's one of the best young players. He's got a little swagger here, but he isn't trash talking. I expect to see more great stuff from him in 2014.

~DJ Adam~

A Rich Set of Affordances

A clever little allegory for how hypermedia works. In a way, even though I'm still quite inept at manipulating hypermedia, I think I do have a better if still vague understanding of it after watching this!

~Spectra~

Todd Terry: I Thought Your Love

Celesty: Dark Emotions

Where are you hiding, I'm searching for you.
Are you so scared that you don't know what to do?
Say what you want I believe it's nothing new.
No tears to shed it's just the game between us two.
Invitation inside of these walls.
Revelations of destiny calls.
Your endless screams I still hear them in dreams.
And I know when your power will fall.
Why don't I fear all these games what you play?
Maybe it's time to feed the words of the day.
Believe what you want but understand what you say.
I've tried to teach you but why won't you obey.
Like looking through thin ice in the light.
I'm blinded and cold, awaiting dark emotions untold.
These hands foretell my destiny, they say, help saving this world beckons a new brighter day.
Follow these rules and this world will be free.
You still believe this still holding your key.
Say what you want I believe it's nothing new.
No tears to shed it's just the game between us two.

Meanwhile, In Toronto

Cradle of Filth: A Gothic Romance

Strongman Pulling 12 Cars

Here you go, folks! A video of me, DJ Adam, pulling 12 cars on a cold day in Lithuania!
Actually, this is Zydrunas Savickas, who set a new Guinness record on December 1.
I have Lithuanian ancestry myself, and a build similar to Zydrunas. So I could probably do this.
Only joking, my spine would probably fall out on the ground and leave me looking like a bowl full of jelly.
Still, you have to love the East European potato-eater genes. Makes a body good and strong!
~DJ Adam~

Minilogue: Even the Wind Seemed in Deep Sleep

The Veronicas: Everything I'm Not