VOTE OR LIE (11.04.04) 

The title of this article could have any number of meanings while the obvious is that I'm sort of clownin' P. Diddy's & Russell's voter initiative to get the youth vote out and show the power of the Hip-Hop generation. I definitely applaud their efforts, don't be mistaken, but I am apathetic to the voter turnout amongst my own 18-29-year-old registered voter group. 17% the last election and 17% this one...and the difference was what? Of all of the many who registered and claimed they would be voting, the title of this article would be most appropriate. I myself actually debated on whether I wished to vote this year, though I eventually did at the last minute...only 15 minutes and I was done ! I just have become so apathetic with the way we are governed and the truths that are hidden by the smokescreens that hide the real issues, as the country's attention is distracted from what's really happening. I even have an issue with the whole concept of an "Electoral College", which, in part, was set in place to give Southern States more pull during elections given the then Constitutional provision of the "3/5ths rule" that allowed them to tally their slave population to give them an advantage in the polls and thus the number of electoral votes afforded to their state; the rule is gone but the effects of it still exist residually even today. On the local, state, and some federal levels, we elect individuals by the literal number of votes cast for them without an intercessory or inter mediatory system in place to then decide the winner. "For the people, by the people" doesn't seem to be what the government truly wants in order to get their own initiatives, but I'm no political science enthusiast or expert, so who gives a funky bass line about what I have to say? I can understand that many people, including traditionally Democratic African-Americans, were thrown off by John Kerry's stance on Abortion, Gay Marriages, and Stem Cell Research among other issues that made them scratch their heads wondering, "maybe Bush is the lesser of the two evils when I consider that I might be compromising more of my own values if I pick Kerry." I can also see how that Osama bin Laden's video that just "conveniently" surfaced the day before Election Day, may have played into people's fears and them not wanting to institute a new president not already engaged in an existing war and that the "changing of the guard" may somehow offset an already grim military situation that needs to be finished by the man/administration that started it. 

Some of you may just know that the tape surfaced but you haven't even heard/read the content of his speech. Click on the following link for the full transcript, which you may find rather interesting: http://www.worldpress.org/Americas/1964.cfm. Based on the continuance of this war, it only makes Osama's comments that much more ominous...and it makes a  statement he made, indirectly referencing America's voting power, a wake-up call to the many who take their voting privilege for granted when he speaks these words, "... I tell you in truth, that your security is not in the hands of Kerry, nor Bush, nor al-Qaida. No. Your security is in your own hands." In light of that statement, ironically and literally, "Vote or Die" may come to be the most honest and prophetic statement made during this election year, though God forbid yet another major catastrophe befall us again. 

Maybe writing that was out-of-line with consideration that I'm just an Entertainment Editor and should just stick to that and what the people want on the social side of things. Maybe I should give you the 411 on the Jay-Z/R. Kelly "debates" that has been unfolding since R. got dropped from the "Best of Both Worlds Tour" of which he is the co-headliner: http://www.hot97.com/multimedia/bobw_tour.aspx 

Perhaps you're a loyal Michael Jackson fan and wouldn't mind traveling to New York, if not there already, and "let your voice be heard" in the rally against MTV's decision not to pull Eminem's video, "Just Lose It", that lampoons MiJac's ongoing pedophile trial, you can, "once again",  exercise your constitutional right to speak your mind on November 11th, so go to: http://www.mjfanclub.net/news/eminem_protest/index.html 

And who's to say that our American Education System is not one of the best in the world with its diverse array of intellectual offerings to stimulate, enlighten, and prepare the minds of our young masses that will be taking over the world that those currently in power will soon leave us. Why, at even the most noteworthy universities in America, Syracuse is even offering an accredited class on "buxom" female Rap artist, Lil' Kim...no, I'm serious: http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6393081/

 Before

After

The reason for the photos is inspired by the words of another fine American who has made the most out of his advantages of being an American in a free society. In the words of the "great" Don King, "only in America!" 

I suppose I must stay true to my profession and give the 411 on the happs, right? I'm sorry if I went on a tangent as I have been prone to do in so many articles before this one. Now, onto your local news...

 
THE HAPPS THIS WEEKEND (Ahmed's picks)...

 FRIDAY (11.05.04)

I know this is just going off of my recommendation...but isn't that enough??? There is a young man by the name of DMaestro who will be performing at Apache Cafe' @ 10:30pm/Cover: $10. He's been performing, singing around various spots in town, and is a regular during the open mics at Apache on Wednesdays, and he is very, very talented. His album (Soul/R&B based) that he's been pushing on the "street label" hustle is very on point in production, instrumentation, and composition from some of my trusted sources who have heard it thus far.You will not be disappointed if you just go off of my recommendation to hear this balladeer/future star in person before the real hype begins. www.apachecafe.info for details and direction. It's definitely a "bring a date" type of flow

SATURDAY (11.06.04) 

Why is life so unfair at times?! Why the hell is A Tribe Called Quest performing at the Roxy (show @ 9pm/cover $20) when I gotta play that evening?!! If you don't know this by now, Tribe is my all-time favorite Hip-Hop group and I'm gonna miss them!!! I feel like goin' off like Florida did at the end of the Good Times episode after James Evans funeral, for those who remember. Somebody tell me how it was if you go...better yet, see if you can get them to come to Tarrazu so they can freestyle with my band--that would be like my birthday, Christmas (when I did celebrate it), Hannakah (if I were Jewish), and having all my bills paid with money left over...good! www.ticketmaster.com
 I'VE GOT A TREAT FOR A FEW MY ATTENTIVE READERS*

Endenu Restaurant is having their Fashion Appreciation Ball this Saturday night from 9pm-until/$10. Some of the absolute best in the Atlanta fashion scene will be there to show off their new work, including my friend and my soon-to-be personal designer (in the works as we speak and I have an custom outfit already) COTRICE (www.cotrice.com), Pieces of Adrene, Fem Deluxe, Lee Lee's Boutique, Yaffa Studios, La Bella Spectra Agency, Feel Free Inc., Leo Marshall Photography, Torre, and Museum Clothing. Whether you model (or want to), design clothes, are into photography, love to be around beautiful people, or you just need to flaunt your best outfit for a photo op, this is the event you need to be at (then later skip over to Tarrazu ). 

*Anyway, I have two pairs of passes for the first two subscribers to e-mail with "F.A.B." in the Subject line of the message, as well as your full name and the name of your guest in the body of the message. That's it. No contest, quiz, challenge...just be one of the first two who follows simple directions and you're there--just make sure you can go 'cause that won't be cool if you don't go. I'll notify you personally if you won. 

SUNDAY (11.07.04) 

The Poetry DVD Screening of WORD "Poetry On Fire" at Apache Cafe at 7:00 PM. Special appearances by Aqiyl, Amyr, Trav Wright, Mayd Tayla, Labeeb, and Spinxx. www.apachecafe.info

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FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK INTO NEXT...

www.atlantahapps.com/upcoming_events.htm 

and just in...Jodine's Corner on ATLANTAHAPPS.COM: 

http://www.atlantahapps.com/Jodine's_Corner_Issue1.htm
(I can't be everywhere and cover everything )

In Closing... 

I've been getting more e-mail from my out-of-town readers than from local ones, lately. That's actually kinda cool, though it would be nice to hear from those who are in the vicinity so I can at least know what you think or what you need from time to time. I've also been been getting demos for my review from artists outside the state, which shows you how much others respect and revere the music scene in Atlanta. I will be doing more CD reviews, although I've been putting that off, but this time with more emphasis on independent artists to give them a needed push as I'll need when my time comes, so check on that starting nest week. 

Also, for those who read this in other states, countries, etc. could you do me a favor and send me links about the entertainment scene to me, like this site, so that I can know where to go and what to see when I'm your area to visit (or on tour when the time comes). I want to know all the cool spots that your local visitor's bureau either doesn't know or doesn't tell about. I'll even post the best spots on here for all my traveling readers. Holla atcha boy, ah-ite?! I also need to see Ray 'cause I'm hearing so many good things and I want to share my two cents. Anyway, I'm done. 

Four more years. God help us.