Fresh Loaf

Jay-Z's camp tapped Goose's talents as a producer, but ultimately passed on his tracks.

Welcome to CL’s annual catalog of impotence: the 11 Least Influential. You’ll meet folks who tried to achieve an ambitious goal, but fell short (or, in Goose’s case, more than made up for the difference); people who’ve devoted themselves to a personal mission in near-total obscurity; and ordinary Joes who can’t get anyone to pay attention to them. Every day until the full issue hits the streets on Nov. 11, we’ll bring you a new story of failure — some noble and heroic, others abject and pathetic.

Subject: Alex Goose
Failing: Can’t get any play from Jay-Z

Atlanta-based music producer Alex Goose has big dreams, and bigger gonads.

After being contacted this summer by a New York-based A&R rep working closely with Jay-Z, the burgeoning producer jumped at the chance to submit beats for the legendary MC’s album-in-the-making, The Blueprint 3.

He says the A&R rep was so impressed with his work for such Atlanta-based artists as Brittany Bosco and Danny! that he came to Atlanta to hear what the Goose was cooking. “He was telling me, ‘I’d love to get some of these [beats] to Jay, for sure,’” recalls Goose, who estimates he submitted 20 to 25 tracks for consideration. “A few months later he hit me up and was like, ‘Hey, I got word back from Jay that he didn’t really hear anything that he wanted to use for the album.’”

With such name-brand producers as Kanye West, Timbaland, the Neptunes and No I.D. getting first dibs at the highly-anticipated release, a virtual unknown just didn’t have the pull to earn himself a placement.

“You know it kinda sucks,” he says. “Jay would say, ‘It’s politics as usual.’”
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The respective heart and soul of Goodie Mob, Khujo (left) and Cee-Lo, performed for a near capacity crowd of almost four thousand, along with members T-Mo and Big Gipp, at the Masquerade Music Park on Saturday night.

After a full day of rain, the weather eased up to an occasional drizzle as fans near the front of the stage obliged those behind them by closing their umbrellas so everyone could witness the onstage reunion of Atlanta’s hip-hop legends.

The highlight came near the end when the Mob performed one of its biggest hits “Cell Therapy,” from the debut album Soul Food, to the head-banging tune of Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man.” They had a Goodie bag full of surprise guests on deck, too, including Dungeon Family members Backbone, Sleepy Brown and Big Boi.

But the audience itself seemed to serve as the fifth member, with fans reciting lyrics and throwing ’bows as if they, too, were onstage and happy to be reunited. And when Cee-Lo asked at the close of the show if the audience was ready for a new Goodie Mob album, a thunderous response rang out into the night sky.

Check out more photos of Goodie Mob at Masquerade Music Park

(Photo by Perry Julien)

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Corporate superheroes — activate!

With so many corporations looking for government handouts nowadays, here’s an interesting twist. The City of Atlanta has requested a stimulus package of sorts from Atlanta’s corporate citizens in order to fund the 32nd Atlanta Jazz Festival.

CL contributor and Jazzlanta blogger Jon Ross discovered the press release — entitled “Save the 32nd Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival” — recently posted by the city in which Camille Russell Love of the Office of Cultural Affairs says:

“The festival will go on,” Camille Russell Love declared. “We just need a few corporate superheroes that are passionate about jazz, committed to this community, and understand the importance of maintaining this tradition.

Continue reading at Crib Notes.

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Could Green Party candidate Cynthia McKinney pull off a victory even if she loses in today’s presidential election?

I have to reject your premise that I will not win. As a minor party, we must define for ourselves what our goals are. We are launching a 5 percent campaign, because if the Green Party is able to cross the 5 percent threshold it gets the legal characterization of a national major party, and gets subsidized by the government in the same way as the Democratic and Republican parties are.

Read the full In These Times story, “Dreaming Green.”

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Opinions are like assholes. Everybody’s got one.

That cliché is the perfect segué to introduce CL’s newest feature.

Dear readers, we’re inviting you to put your asses on the line by writing mini-reviews of live concerts. The best review, as judged by our editorial staff, will be printed each week on our new all-music backpage.

In addition to the joy of being published, the winning reviewer will also receive a pair of free tickets to an upcoming concert in the Atlanta area. All of the reviews submitted will be posted on our music blog — Crib Notes.

Whether you want to write about Radiohead performing at Lakewood Amphitheatre or some hole-in-the-wall house show, from Omar at Sugarhill to Gentleman Jesse at the Star Bar; here’s the chance to put your own spin on Atlanta’s allover the map live music scene.

Simply follow the fine print below: (more…)

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First Congressman John Lewis, now rapper Young Jeezy.

In the August issue of Vibe magazine, Young Jeezy is quoted in the cover story as saying, “No disrespect to Barack, but I fuck with John McCain.”

Turns out, he meant to say the opposite. At least, that’s what he’s saying now in a classic what-had-happened-was moment. He’s even posted a YouTube video statement to clarify his position, saying “somewhere down the line my words got misconstrued.”

Read more in Crib Notes.

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Once the word gets out, T.I.’s fans will surely flock to Easter service as if it’s the Second Coming.

A federal magistrate judge ruled today that multi-platinum rapper Clifford “T.I.” Harris will be allowed to attend New Birth Missionary Baptist Church’s Easter service this Sunday, despite his ongoing house arrest status.

Harris, who still faces weapons charges after being arrested on the day of the BET Awards in Atlanta last October, will be allowed to leave his residence from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. to attend the service presided over by New Birth Bishop Eddie Long.

Continue reading this story in Crib Notes.

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Read between the lines.

When Rep. John Lewis, D-Georgia, says it’s harder for him to switch his superdelegate support from Clinton to Obama than it was for him to march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge with Dr. King in segregated Selma, Alabama over 40 years ago, what he’s really saying is:

Don’t get it twisted white America, the possibility that a black man could actually be nominated President of the Free World is harder for me to swallow than it is for you.

Lewis isn’t the only one among the graying generation of Civil Rights leaders who finds himself at a crossroads. For those who have spent a lifetime relying on alliances with the white liberal establishment to help promote civic change, a potential Obama victory represents a mind-boggling paradigm shift.

It’s probably a lot for a sharecropper’s son to grasp — especially one as politically indebted to the status quo, i.e. the Clintons, as Lewis.

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Rapper Clifford “T.I.” Harris faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted on federal weapons charges. Before he was released on $3 million bond Oct. 26, U.S. Magistrate Judge Alan Baverman had some stern words for Harris, as well as comments on Atlanta’s real estate market.

“I don’t want to sound crass about it, but in addition to being in the music and entertainment business you’re essentially in the insurance business now. If any harm is [befallen upon] the informant, the court will be looking to you. Do you understand that?”
— Baverman warning Harris not to attempt to hurt or intimidate witnesses for the prosecution

“Yes, your honor.”
— Harris’ response to Baverman’s question

“The nature of the real estate market in Atlanta right now is such that legitimate appraisals are affected.”
— Baverman explaining why he valued Harris’ College Park home at $1 million, less than what Harris and his lawyers contend is its appraised value. Harris is using his home as part of his bond.

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I AM THE STREETS: Young Jeezy speaks on Auburn Avenue.

(Photo by Eamon Siggins)

Auburn Avenue was blocked off Saturday night for the grand opening of Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy’s new clothing store, Eight. His new fashion line, 8732, will be sold there, along with other urban fashions. On a telephone keypad, 8732 is code for USDA — the original name Jeezy had in mind for his line. In Jeezy’s lexicon, USDA is an acronym for United Streets and D-Boys of America. Unfortunately, major-level pushers — the United States Department of Agriculture — beat him to it.

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JANELLE MONAE AT FUNKJAZZ KAFÉ: “This singer and CL’s music editor, sitting in a tree . . .”

(Photo by Lauren Grundhoefer)

I’m in love.

Not with you, per se, but with the way you release. You tore the Tabernacle up Saturday night at FunkJazz Kafé. And when your bobbie pin popped out and that crazy little afro bun of yours started waving at me all the way in the back by the bar where I was tossing back Long Island Iced Teas, I felt like we were connected as one. Did you feel it, too? I used to have a crush on Dawn from EnVogue, but I forgot all about her performance when you came back out for an encore.

Next to you, Bone Crusher’s belly was only the second biggest thing in the house that night. Keep banging.

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NIGERIAN BANDLEADER FEMI KUTI AT VARIETY PLAYHOUSE SATURDAY: This dude blows, in a good way.

Photo by Joeff Davis

Some came for the polyrhythmic Afrobeat funk-fest Femi Kuti conjured from his 10-piece band. Others came to revel in his Pan-African political views. Then there were those, like myself, who showed up at the Variety Playhouse to watch booty-popping by the pound. Kuti’s three female background dancers got so sweat-soaked while shaking, grinding and gyrating they had to towel themselves down between songs. Meanwhile, Kuti powered on with crowd favorites like “Do Your Best” and the overtly sexual “Beng, Beng, Beng.” Bedroom tip of the night: “One of the secrets of lovemaking is don’t cum too fast,” he said to a house full of laughter. Sobering reminder: “As we’re enjoying ourselves in Atlanta, people in Somalia are starving.”

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Fashion, art and rock make for funky bedfellows in Kym Hurley’s world. Her apparel company, Designateria, specializes in T-shirts, tanks and lingerie for rock stars — both real and imagined. By cross-promoting national and local bands through its website, the company gives emerging indie rockers a platform.

The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native was friends with Marilyn Manson in the late ’80s when he was still known as Brian Warner. “I knew him back before he wore makeup and tattoos. … He played his first show at our little hangout in Fort Lauderdale and I thought, ‘God, these guys stink.’”

After spending part of the ’90s running a T-shirt shop in Northern California, Hurley hooked up with her BFF from college, Kathi George, who founded Designateria in L.A. Hurley moved to Decatur in 2002 to expand the company while spotlighting music. “I think the music scene in Atlanta is one of the best in the country right now.”

“Looks that look good on stage is our focus.” Some of the Georgia-based bands featured in its monthly online series include YOU, Summerbirds in the Cellar and Second Shift. Designateria apparel is available locally at 1*Five*0 and Veruca Boutique.

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Could comedian Chris Tucker and soulster India.Arie (both of Atlanta, btw) actually be dating? Yes, according to the New York Post�s Page Six rumor mill. That would make such an odd pairing I can�t even come up with a worthy punchline.

Y�all do the honors and leave a comment below while I go to the bathroom and call Earl.

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Check out hometown favorite, Anthony David�s recently completed video for his song �Something About You.� It�s a nice lil fantasy vid that finds the soulster in semi-seduction mode as he imagines himself wining, dining and winning multiples women�s hearts simultaneously.

Sorta reminds me of John Legend�s video for �Save Room,� but it’s like way better because, of course, it bears David�s signature sense of humor. And man is it refreshing to see beautiful women in a video versus video hoes (not that I�m hatin�); but AD proves you can make a sexy video without making a bunch of anonymous chicks strip to their thongs while you baptize them in overpriced bubbly�. Does sorta sound like fun, though, huh?

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It�s good to see the purple one reigning supreme again. Apparently, a Superbowl halftime performance goes a long way. Suddenly it seems an entire generation that grew up on Bow Wow and the Backstreet Boys has awakened to the pop genius of the crowned Prince.

�But who the hell is he,� might they ask? In which case they should check out this primer put together by Quentin B. Huff of PopMatters.com. It�s a crash course on his royal highness, with a breakdown of his complete discography.

For a man who has come close to releasing an album for every year of his 29-year career, it�s almost impossible to say which is the best. But I�m going to do it anyway.

Hands down, Sign �O� the Times is his best album ever. And I dare anyone to disagree.

C�mon: �Starfish and Coffee,� �Housequake,� �Adore,� �The Ballad of Dorothy Parker�

How can you argue with that?!

Well, I�m waiting �

Let�s take a poll. Right now. To see which Prince album comes out on top.

You know where I�m putting my money…

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Yes yes, y�all.

It seems Nas doesn�t plan on resting his case on this whole Hip Hop is Dead hypothesis. Thank God. He�s blown a breath of fresh air into rap, even if it is a blast from the past. His hip-hop history lesson continues with not one but two new remixes to the song �Where Are They Now.�

The �Where Are They Now (�90s remix)� features verses from MCs who�ve been more likely to be found on the back of milk cartons in recent years, including Redhead Kingpin, The Original Spinderella, Rob Base, Father MC, Monie Love, Mike G (Jungle Brothers), EST, Positive K, Das EFX, Lords of The Undeground and Dres (Black Sheep)

The �Where Are They Now (�80s remix)� features verses from old school legends Grandmaster Caz, MC Shan, Raheem, Doctor Ice, Kangol, Kool Moe Dee, Sha Rock, Tito, Liq”>http://www.hhnlive.com/media/more/audio/543ue, Dana Dane, Pebblee Poo & Just Ice.

Check ‘em out… And shot out to my MySpace pal Miss Bourgie for telling it like it is�

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If there�s any place in this city that can�t afford to be turning people away, it�s Underground Atlanta. I found out this past weekend why the place is so dead after dark. The after-hours security there is tighter than that at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. And apparently, having a crack or break in your GA state ID or driver�s license makes you a potential threat to the security of the city�s throwaway landmark. This is the same facility where all manner of questionable-looking teenagers roam freely all day long.
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