Sunday, June 19, 2011

Can't Tell Me Nothing...

     "This is my life homie, you decide yours….."  is one of the many lyrics on Kanye's single Can't Tell Me Nothing that speak to one of his best street anthems that he's ever released.  This was the lead single for his Graduation album from 2007.  Mr. West co-produced the song with DJ Toomp and is one of all time favorites.  The wonderful metaphor in the chorus can be sung by pretty much anybody as it has as many meanings as listeners…everybody's had that feeling of being told they can't do this or do that or not having the means to achieve their goals and thinking ..you can't tell me nothing…wait until I make it so I can show you, that yeah…..I am the man.  Which of course, is the perfect topic for Kanye, showing and telling the world where he came from to where he is now.  Even the clanging percussion on the song gives off a hardworking, hammering mood.
     Young Jeezy's laugh on the background vocals along with the looping Ooooohoohoho is the icing on the cake on this all time great.  The video isn't one of Ye's most original, but sometimes the video let's the song do the talking.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

You Have To Fight For It...

     Those are the words and mentality of Clint "Deuces" Dempsey,  arguably, the best player on the US Men's National Soccer team and team scoring leader for English Premier League's FC Fulham club.  This candid sit down with Clint goes through his emotional mindset when it comes to his literal and figurative journey from Texas to England.  These world class athletes have a desire to push themselves past any limits set by others, distance, or circumstance.  They also are everyday humans just like you and I even though they seem larger than life, especially on two continents.  They have families, kids, and hobbies that they attend to.  Clint seems to be very grounded with his priorities and it has shown on the pitch as he enjoyed his finest season in the Premier League as he set the record for highest goals in a season by an American and also became Fulham's All-Time Goal Scorer.  He was voted top player for 2010-11 by the Fulham fans.  He's been a veteran of two World Cups and will lead the team in this summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup being played in the US.  Enjoy the video from USSoccer.com and here's the link to my previous Dempsey write up.