A Confession
Seriously, just a few short hours ago I was getting my full on sing on in a car. A coworker and I were coming from getting sushi and a particular song came blaring through the speakers. I got caught up in the moment and started singing along. The song in question; Kelly Clarkson Since You’ve Been Gone
I know, I know; I’m ashamed of myself.
But the song is damn catchy. And it’s honestly not bad, for a pop song. It’s got a decent beat. And she was the original American Idol. So why do I feel so guilty? Why do I feel the compulsion to repent my sins, here in this very column?
I think that one reason maybe because it’s such a “chick” song. There’s really nothing masculine about it. It’s very much akin to saying that you love either Sixteen Candles or Sweet Home Alabama (the movies, not the songs); sure, there may not be cause for a technical critique of either piece, but as a man admitting that either is your “favorite” certainly knocks down your “manliness” ranking from, say The Fall Guy to Sex in the City.
But I can’t deny that I dig the song. I don’t change the channel when the video comes one. And, if she were a bit taller, Kelly Clarkson could possibly catch one.
So take me down a few notches, tarnish my opinion in your eyes. I may not deserve it, but I can take it. But remember, I stand before you an honest man.
An Admission
Y’know what other song I’m diggin’ right now; Gwen Stefani Hollaback Girl.
Now I’m not a fan of Gwen. I remember the first time that I was cognizant of someone “jackin’ The Box” was when Just A Girl was called in every 15 minutes. That irked me, and as it was my first impression of No Doubt, it was less than favorable.
As times when on, No Doubt went from being “hated for no reason” to being “tolerable.” My friend Jason taught me to actually “listen” as opposed to dismissing based strictly on the bands name. I even gave Hella Good my approval.
But then came my cross country road trip from Baltimore to Las Vegas. My roommate and I were stuck in a U-Haul with only the radio to turn to for music. Unfortunately it was what must have been the peak of popularity of the No Doubt single It’s My Life.
It’s bad enough going on a cross-country road trip. It’s worse to be over six feet tall and crammed into the passenger seat of a U-Haul. It’s torture to be stuck in that situation with the only musical option being the radio. But it’s absolute hell when you are guaranteed to hear one song a minimum of thirty times a day, despite how many times you changed stations.
So my flirting with No Doubt had ended much in the same way it began; with my utter disgust at their popularity.
When Gwen announced her solo album, I barely paid it any mind. Her first single was trash and convinced me that the project was garbage. Her second single seemed like an excuse to re-team Gwen and Eve, the modern day incarnation of Crockett and Tubbs. And I’ve got to believe that I stopped caring about Eve, much how I stopped caring about Blu Cantrell, when her nude pictures were leaked.
Yet for some reason I didn’t turn the channel when the video for Hollaback Girl began. Maybe I felt that I was the one who was wrong for on liking Gwen and that she deserved a second chance. Or maybe I was curious how she was going to incorporate “Love”, “Angel”, “Music” and “Baby” into yet another video. Or perhaps the remote was just out of reach. The point is, I didn’t change the channel, and I’m way happy that things turned out the way they did.
The beat is sick! When the Neptunes do their thing, they do it right. You can tell they phone some beats in, but Hollaback Girl is a beast. (I will admit to having a favorable bias toward beats utilizing a “band” sound, ever since ODB’s The Stomp.)
I really want to say that this should have been the lead single, but it’s really getting me in a “summer mood” so in that regard the timing is perfect. Still, if it had been the lead single, there’s a chance that I would have actually purchased the album.
However, I do have a problem with the song; its use of the phrase “bananas.” Pharrell should not have included that in the track. It’s just another piece of slang that whites are going to misinterpret and run into the ground.
Don’t believe me? Just look at “jiggy.”
In Defense of Jiggy
I can remember when “jiggy” was an actual viable concept.
No, it’s true. “Jiggy” at one point in time was an actual concept. It was a regional term, much like “crunk” and “hyphey.” However, unlike those two, jiggy was doomed to derision by premature exposure to white people.
“Jiggy” was an East Coast term that in rough translation, meant “looking good” and evolved into “looking sharp.” And to those of you who don’t believe that “jiggy” had a chance I’ll attempt to offer proof.
I was attending Morgan State University when the phrase was reaching, what would be, it’s peak. There were various student organizations on campus that would throw off campus parties. Some were dollar parties held in sweatboxes (like Soca Palace) others were held in better locales (like Johns Hopkins’ Glass Pavilion). But the pinnacle of the student thrown parties were what were affectionately called “Jiggy” (as in “you goin’ to Jiggy?”)
“Get Jiggy” (the official name) were held ever semester. The were non Universtiy sanctioned “formals.” At “Jiggy” there were no sneakers or boots. There were no ball hats, t-shirts or jerseys. “Jiggy” was strictly for formal wear, with a flair. Everyone was sexy, but presentable. Basically everyone was getting their “grown folks” on.
“Get Jiggy” was always a success. Even if you didn’t go to “Jiggy” you still cruised by if only to see everyone go in. There would be traffic jams outside the dorms on those nights, due to the mass exodus of students.
Now “jiggy” was still a young term, in terms of slang. I’d even bet that it hadn’t quite caught on in Aaron Cameron’s neck of the woods by the time that Will Smith released Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It.
It would be easy to blame Will Smith for the decline of “jiggy,” but it wouldn’t be factual. Will Smith didn’t cause Miami to go downhill after he immortalized it though song. Will Smith also didn’t force a white population, so brainwashed by songs popularizing dances to misconstrue “jiggy” as an actual dance (as witnessed by whites raising their arms and doing a shimmy every time they proclaimed “I’m getting jiggy with it!”)
Will Smith may be guilty of many things, but the demise of “jiggy” isn’t one of them. No that blame rests solely on the shoulders of a white public so eager to devour a new piece of Black “coolness” that they jumped the gun, confused a style with a dance, and made a mockery of slang with their misuse of the term “jiggy.”
I fear the same thing will happen with “bananas.” Because remember there are far more “izzle’s” and “jiggy’s” than there are “hot’s”.
Jiggy
Shawn teases you with Jay-Z, but I’m curious how he knows about “Fingers?”
Aaron comments on the downfall of Kanye and puts West Coast MC’s on the Endangered Species list. Nick gives props to Beanie Sigel.
Nothing I could say could to justice to Jeff’s latest Swindle Sheet. He’s firing on all cylinders, and he’s got Trevor too!
Kyle is almost finished with his Coachella columns. This week features Weezer!
Mike Eagle is making headlines. He responds to feedback and delivers what maybe his best column to date.
Gloomchen picks on poor Michael Jackson. She also gives props to Beck and prepares to see mc chris.
Tom’s logo still rocks. He’s also the face of the site this week! He has also cut ties with Korn. What a dark day.
That’s Hot
Tayo has returned! He’s full of the greatness that you’ve missed. He covers Lord Quas and Foo Fighters!
Ian covers The White Stripes, Weezer, Thom Yorke and Karen O!
Five Mixtapes I Need To Cop
1. Mos Def – Mos Def-inite
2. ODB – Osirus
3. Joe Budden – Mood Music
4. Juelz Santana – Back Like Cooked Crack 2
5. Clipse – We Got If 4 Cheap
