I know the hip hop blogs have probably already put this clip up or written about it, but since I’m just a comedy guy, I have an excuse for being a little late. I really enjoyed that video. So much so, that I’m going to put it up here and give Jay Z’s album some free advertising. Check out the video.
The only other music video that I’ve seen recently which made me say “Wow, I really like this!” was Common’s I Want You. Then again, you can’t go wrong with Kerri Washington and Alicia Keys as the leading ladies.
To an goal-oriented, driven fellow like myself, a video like Roc Boys is the equivalent of a slap of ambition to the face! It had the same effect on me that seeing Dallas Austin’s house on MTV Cribs did. That “I need to do what I need to do to get there someday” effect. It’s cool, because it gives me a second reason to push my creativity as far as I can. The first reason being, to keep folks laughing and smiling. Despite my @sshole-ish ways, I do like brightening people’s day.
Speaking of @sshole-ish ways, I need to know if I crossed the line of professionalism this morning. I was looking at my site stats, and the search engine phrases that bring people here. One phrase referred to my appearance on NPR. This lead me to check out the comments from my appearance on News and Notes last month. One commenter by the name of “JB” actually called me a buffoon. Me being me, I had a Jules from Pulp Fiction, “Well, allow me to retort” moment and let him know what I thought of his criticism.
Was I unprofessional to respond? I mean, I didn’t curse in my response but I know in the grand scheme of things, that one person’s opinion is irrelevant. I think the name-calling is what baited me in to make fun of JB’s little pseudo-intellectual hate contribution. Plus, I have some upcoming writing that addresses buffoonery among other things, so seeing that word made me feel compelled to shut him down.
So yeah, tell me if I was unprofessional to respond to some nobody’s comment on NPR’s site. Also, let me know what you think of that video.
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Any time I’ve ever been on the radio or on TV (which are extremely far and few in between), I’ve been somewhat nervous, and I’ve been guilty of “you knows” and the like, and I’m sure that “JB” wouldn’t be any better, unless he just happens to be a seasoned yet hypocritical media man himself. Either way, I KNOW how you could have responded, and you handled yourself well. Sure, you could have not said anything, but who are you hurting because you did?
Oh yeah… that “I Want You” video is NICE… double props for Kerry Washington directing it.
Loved the Jay-Z video…nice to see my girl (crazy-ass Mariah) looking good. And I grew up near Marcy Projects so BIG UP, BROOKLYN!! LOL
Common’s video was good, too. I prefer videos that tell a story rather than: look at my jewelry and my cars and my hos. And can we talk about how f-ing sexy that fool is??
Oh, but not sexier than you Leon, of course, but he’s a close second, for sure!
RE: your response to JB… I probably wouldn’t have responded, but only because my pride runneth deep, and I’d rather owe money to Suge Knight before admitting to some stranger that anything they had to say about me moved me in any way. But that’s just me. Your response wasn’t bad.
Where the heck did they find that Jay-Z clone kid?
@ TQB, I usually don’t respond, but I associate the word “buffoon” right up there with “sellout,” “coon,” “Tom,” and any other word you can use to call someone a disgrace to the black race. That’s the only reason why I fired back. Usually I just ignore negativity for the most part. When I DO respond to it, it’s usually because the person left enough of an opening for me to crack jokes in return at their expense! I’m too competitive for my own good.
@ Tasha, I’m working to address that. Improv acting doesn’t really prepare me for situations like that, where you have to be a “talking head” and say something quotable. I’ll definitely be ready when they bring me back on(that’s right, I said WHEN). Thanks for your comment, and you’re right, Kerry Washington gets double props for looking great and directing a great video.
I wondered the same thing @ Hostess. He looked exactly how you’d expect a teenage Jay-Z to look
*standing ovation* I think you handled that well compared to what other people…….me I guess…..would’ve said. All he actually did was give you a few more readers for your blog by calling you out so Kudos to JP!
Ok, I see your point. I suppose if someone were to call me “sucia” or a “dirty spic” I’d have to respond in kind, pride be damned. But still, like I said, what you wrote back wasn’t bad or unprofessional. I think JB learned his lesson…
Hey Leon! I just wanted to let you know that we talked about you in my New Media class today. Apparently you’re the new face of journalism. Should I be frightened? LOL.
Congratulations on that Washington Post article, too.
Are you serious @ Vina?! Professors actually mentioned ME in the classroom? I need to be making more money if I’m the “New Face of Journalism” :)
And yes, be afraid. Be VERY afraid!
@ TQB, thanks for the additional feedback.
@ Khaleela, you’re probably right. You don’t get any extra points for this one, though. I’m already too far behind on the scorecard!
It’s not my fault I’m beautiful, charming, and intelligent. Actually I think I get 1 and 1/2 points for that one.
I think you handled yourself very well in responding to the guy on the comment board. You certainly could’ve made a Colonel Stinkmeaner “nigga moment” out of it LOL, but you didn’t. So that is duly noted.
All of us that know Morehouse dudes know how “they get” about anyone talking about their school, so I definitely am not surprised as his reaction/response. I wonder if he knew anything about you going to Hampton?
Only bones I pick with Hampton is that y’all are a “Booker T.” school (boooooo!) lol. It’s all love though (Dubois scholar-Clark Atlanta!)
i dont understand why its seems like jay z kills himself at the end of his videos. come on now like he’s marking his own death. thats not cool nor entertaining. i understand when actors do it because they’re playin someone else. this dude is playin himself. i dont get it and to me it doesnt add to the video. nevertheless i love his music and he is a very talented artist.
and you had all rights to get back at that dude. where im from you dont let nobody talk shit about you. i wouldve forgotten how to act like a lady for a few seconds and blessed his ass out with every cuss word i knew but thats just me. you held your composure tastefully. cooties to you!
Khaleela: You just lost half a point for arrogant deleusions of grandeur ;)
@ Caroline, I figured he was mad because I said I’d make fun of Morehouse students if they had to wear Fresh Prince of Bel Air looking jackets. You could tell that something I said hit close to home!
@ Ms. Sarkastic, I think it’s his subconscious way of saying that he wants to be viewed on the same level as B.I.G. and Tupac. Or maybe he just has some type of morbid fixation with death. I really don’t know.
yooo i swear i was thinking the same thing i think he wants to die and be viewed as a great just like biggie and tupac and jam master j. because he knows that if he dies he WILL be on their level as a hip hop legend and thats why he keeps dying in his videos.
OK,THE KID IS FROM YOUTUBE..he does alot of Jay songs and scts like him..second this album plays out like a movie.so Jay-z didn’t get shot..most likely his nephew will get, cause the next video will be fallen..this dude is thinking way past others..i like the album..the songs really have substance..listen to it.
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