6inchvinyl is a blog about music and my love for true artists, but I am allowed to go off on a tangent once in a while. I am the person who watches the Cosby Show and aspires to be just like Cliff and Claire. While me and my spouse won’t be a doctor or lawyer – at least from what I can predict – we will have a cohesive family. That’s not the point though. The Cosbys are, in my opinion, television’s ideal Black family. Successful. Loving. Inspirational. And the parents are “parents” vs. being the children’s friends. While America has seen the Cosbys as a family to look up to, there is now another family on the scene that is equally comparable: Michelle, Barack, Malia Ann, and Natasha Obama. We can all admit Barack would not be who he is if Michelle wasn’t by his side! You may immediately say, “NO! That’s not true.” Ok, then. Think if Barack was married to a White woman……………..silence……………..I rest my case. No offense to any of my readers who are White, but Barack wouldn’t be the same. I think the youth needs to see more real-life, Black, highly educated families who are conquering their dreams. We are about to have a Black president! Twenty years ago, no one would have ever dreamed this to be a reality. The excuse of White people holding you back is no longer applicable. Now is the time to get up and make a CHANGE! PLEASE educate the youth around you who may not realize the opportunities that await them. For young males specifically, inform them of www.forrealsolutions.com, an online community built by Obama’s classmate Hill Harper who feels very strongly about creating a positive movement within the African American community. Today is the day. If there is something you aspire to do. Start! While I stop!…writing that is

by Ne-Yo: I hardly EVER listen to the radio. This morning instead of finding a few songs on my iPod to listen to on my 13 minute ride to work, I decided to tune in to the radio. I’m SO happy I did. There was this new song playing that I assumed to be Ne-Yo. He returned on air after the song ended to discuss The Year of the Gentleman, his album that will be released on September 16^th. This song has Michael Jackson written all over it, which is no surprise since MJ is Ne-Yo’s main inspiration and has been sampled by Ne-Yo numerous times. This track is about to be my new JAM! 

by Ryan Leslie: Thinking of Cassie, my mind automatically reminisces of Ryan Leslie, the producer of her first album. He has produced songs for numerous A-list artists including Cheri Dennis, Danity Kane, Donnell Jones, Beyoncé, New Edition, Nina Sky, and the list continues. Similarly to other producers, he came from behind the production table to release his own tracks. He’s like other artists that make music for the now and not the future. However, I love his style. If you listen to this song he has a unique use of instruments, making beat machines sound futuristic. Whatever the source, I like it! It’s different than the normal snares. 

This man is the definition of a true hustler! The season first started a few weeks ago when he debuted a new show on VH1 entitled I Want to Work for Diddy! He got me! I can’t even lie. I love these reality shows. Then, hop on over to MTV and there is Making The Band 4 with Day 26 and Danity Kane. These groups are about to go on tour for 6 weeks = MORE money in the bank! Oh, I almost forgot about the solo member of Making the Band 4 – Donnie. I saw his new video the other day and guess who the featured artist is? You got it, Diddy! Not to mention, the track is wiggity wiggity whack! Cassie also debuted a new track, Official Girl, which features Lil’ Wayne and her attire in the video is H-O-T!

I am beginning to think I have a brain disorder. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I’m sure I don’t think the way most people do. Take paintings for example. I never just look at a painting and take it for what it is. Rather, I always analyze the painting and question what the artist’s vision was. My thought process is somewhat similar for music, but amplified by 10.  As I was listening to 5 Steps by Dru Hill this morning, I began to wonder what happened to the soulful, R&B male group. What happened to Boyz II Men, Dru Hill, and Jagged Edge? and I’ll even stoop so low and include B2K-sorry CC Today we only have Day 26, and I’m not saying their songs aren’t good. Some are, but I consider them to be “made” versus the members making themselves. I know Lou Pearlman is behind bars serving 25 years, but what does it take for someone to discover a group these days?

by T.I. ft. Kanye West, Jay-Z, & Lil Wayne: JUST LEAKED! The hottest four in the game! First listen, I think the “swagger like us” needs to be played down a bit. A majority of the time, this overpowers the lyrics of the artists. Hottest verse given to Kanye no doubt! Jay follows as a close second. Listen for yourself…

  I’m a complete Techie nerd and have been since I was a child. My little brother looks at me in awe when I type on the keyboard and I send text messages with a similar skill set. I love knowing what’s new on the internet and it makes it even better that responsibility is part of my 9 to 5! I was taught that knowledge is nothing unless it is shared, so I will be keeping you updated with what’s new in technology and music. I want to start with the basics that some of you may use and some of you may have never heard of. 1^st tip: Pandora.com. I love this site! Pandora can be used at home, at work, or now as an application on the iPhone that will stream in your car. It is somewhat similar to an online radio station, but personalized. Basically, if you like a certain artist like Earth, Wind, & Fire, you can create an EW&F station. This station will play music by EW&F and artists with a similar sound. You can add artists who aren’t in the mix and you subtract artists/songs from the mix. I suggest you sign-up and make your own stations. If you have any questions on how to use the service or how to start, I’ll be more than happy to assist.

This is a series created to make you think! This means I’m about to say something REAL deep  I’ve been thinking about something lately, and it crosses my mind daily. Groundbreaking Thought: Who are the women R&B artists that will represent the last decade? Not just one hit wonders, but women whose albums will be played numerous decades from now. This category of amazing, talented, vocalists include Patti Labelle, Chaka Khan, Anita Baker, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, old Toni Braxton, and old Mariah Carey…you know – the Toni before she had the altercation with Babyface and the Mariah before Honey.  Thinking more recent, these artists include Lauryn Hill and Alicia Keys. That is the extent of my list! I can’t imagine playing Bootylicious around the kids I have in the future. Even though I LOVE Rihanna, I won’t be playing Umbrella for the kids either. When will these artists start making music for the future and not just the present?

I absolutely LOVE The Cosby Show! It has to be one of my top 3 favorite shows, if not my favorite. Thinking of beginning jazz influences, The Cosby Show educated me on music alone! Cliff was always listening to a renowned selection of artists including The Count Basie Orchestra, James Brown, Koko Taylor, and Stevie Wonder. Ray Charles happens to be the singer of the song Night Time is the Right Time featured on my favorite episode…