Akon shows his fan appreciation - 6.4.2007.2

Now how can I not comment on the recent actions by hip hop artist Akon? There are numerous incidents of the violence that many rappers and other artists propagate seemingly daily. Most of these incidents occur at night, in a club or strip club, but it’s not uncommon to hear about transgressions in airports or on city streets. This though is a new low, and some media seem more than happy to cover it up.


Some may be aware, in a recent performance, that Akon assaulted a fan during the concert. It seems that both on purpose or by accident a fan threw an object at the stage and hit the entertainer. Akon stopped performing in the middle of a song and had the kid brought to the stage. The kid was then lifted onto the stage, picked up by the artist, and forcibly thrown off the stage. The kid had no clue any of this was going to happen, and was quite startled while it was happening. Akon then tells the crowd how lonely he feels (as best as I can tell) and begins to continue performing, having stated “he’s alright.”

I wasn’t there, so I’m guessing at the exact words. According to the Poughkeepsie Journal this entire event was simply an enthusiastic entertainer helping fan ‘crowd surf.’ Isn’t that nice. Reading their published article one would think it was quite harmless. Even the general manager, Mr. Jason Finkelburg, and Fishkill Police Chief, Don Williams, seem to feel it was unimportant. To their benefit, neither was at the event.

I would guess that the reporter wasn’t there either, or missed the event. I say this because it’s all hogwash. At best it’s poor reporting, at worst it’s a media cover-up, protecting entertainers that behave maliciously because they bring money in. How could I possibly say this? What gives me any more right than what was reported and said since I wasn’t there [and I couldn’t get paid enough to be there]? Because there is a video of the event.

It’s just that simple. And the video can be seen on the Poughkeepsie Journal’s site. Obviously, in my opinion, the reporter failed to view it. If they had then I would imagine they would see it quite differently. It seems obvious that Akon isolates grabs and throws this fan with intent to harm him. There is no music during the whole incident, no explanation. The kid looks bewildered. The police officers shown in the video seem as startled as everyone else. The throw was hardly anything friendly or helpful. I’ve seem more kindness in a mosh pit.

The fans cheered this whole event. They thought it was great, seeing this entertainer enact violence on someone that could have just as easily been them. Imagine if it was your kid. Imagine if the kid was hurt.

Think about the fact that often hip hop artists and rappers go out and try to outdo each other in acts of violence and rudeness, in an effort to maintain their ‘street cred’. Absolute idiocy. But it happens all the time. So what do all the other tough, bad-ass, malefactors and nay-do-well’s do? What is the next step in this genre? Entertainers in gansta rap have already molested unwary women from the audience on stage, now this ups the ante. Perhaps an actual beatdown on stage. Or a gang rape. If neither of the other acts already done on stage caused a consequence, why should these.

I don’t know. I don’t pay to see an entertainer who pisses in my cornflakes, or those of a friend. I don’t want to see a wrestling match at a music show. Especially when it’s the equivalent of a sucka-punch, and the performer is surrounded by police officers and bodyguards. Yeah, Akon looked real impressive and manly. [That’s sarcasm for those that don’t get it]

I won’t say all rappers or hiphop artists act like this, but more than enough do. New rappers and many other entertainers try harder than the few that last a while. Too many take pride in being a bullet magnet, a dealer of death (drug dealer), and having a trail of women used for their bodies and children without fathers. The trend isn’t getting better, and newspapers misreporting these acts do harm to the general public.

This is what I think, what do you think?

**audio for this post can be found at http://www.blackentertainmentblog.com/audio-post/audio.html

He-man, Young Jeezy, Presidential candidates - 6.4.2007.1

As the half way mark approaches on the Robin Roberts book giveaway contest, I want to mention that there is still time to get in. There has been a lot of activity so far but there is always a chance of winning a copy. Winners will be selected on the 10th so tell your friends.

In other update news, the current status of the online poll choosing which Presidential candidate should be the President in 2008 continues to be a close one. According to the poll on this site, 34% are looking for Senator Obama to win. Senator Obama is closely followed by Senator Clinton with 26%, and then Senator McCain with 16%, and Mr. Giuliani at 13%. There are your front runners. I may update the poll (which will require a restart) to include Mr. Fred Thompson, and other candidates of both parties. If you go by Rasmussen Reports the current leaders are Mr. Rudy Giuliani (60% for Republican) and Senator Obama (58% for Democrat). Keep voting until the real vote comes. Every vote counts!

In less serious thoughts, and this really can’t be too serious, the preparations for a He-man movie are moving along. Yes, the most laughable cartoon series of the 80’s is being made into a movie. Why? I think all original thought in Hollywood has been dead for quite some time. That could be the only reason. I mean He-man? Cartoons may be funny but this show wasn’t trying to be. Plots may not be a major part of children’s anime in the U.S. but this one was over the top by any standard. And the art sucked. That does not include the fact that some have issue with the probably most homosexual character on television. You think that teletubbie with the bag was gay, He-man just takes the award. She-ra probably takes 2nd place. [Being gay is not an issue to me. But I hardly think these 2 characters are the poster child of a positive image for anyone.]

Moving on with possibly a less serious item than the one above, Mr. Jay Jenkins (Young Jezzy – where do rappers get these names?) was recently arrested. Another rapper being arrested is no surprise, most I feel would serve the public better in a jail cell but that is my opinion, except that in this case the arrest had nothing to do with a gun, physical violence or any other weapon. Amazing as it is, this was merely a very heated verbal confrontation. No drugs were found on Mr. Jenkins, or his entourage, which really amazes me.

The part that seriously trips me out though is the fact that Mr. Jenkins sister was on the scene at the time of the altercation. It’s weird when you realize this happened in a strip club. Some people may enjoy drinking and hanging out with their siblings, no big deal. Arguments happen from time to time in any establishment open to the public. But what guy brings his sister to a strip club? It makes me get an impression of a low class style of life [money does not make low class actions better]. Perhaps I’m harsh, but I respect my sisters enough to not take them to a place like that.

This is what I think, what do you think?

**audio post are coming back. To hear this post go to http://www.blackentertainmentblog.com/audio-post/audio.html

Sexsomnia, in the courtroom - 6.1.2007.1

Well imagine my shock and amazement. Way back in October I happened upon an odd piece of news.

“Now I’m sure almost everyone has no clue what this is. Neither did I until I just read about it. It’s a rare condition that is similar to sleep walking. Except in this case ‘sufferers’ make advances, and follow through, while completely asleep. While first thought to be very rare, some researchers think its more common than that.”

I went on to say,

“…On one hand it sounds like a convenient excuse to act in a manner without owning up to what is really wanted. “I never would ask you to do that! I had to be asleep.” On the other hand it give creeps an excuse for boorish or worse behavior…”

It would seem that I am correct. What is it I got so very right? Sexsomnia. For those unfamiliar with this “affliction” it seems that, similar to sleep walking, those with this condition have sex. This can be with their partner, a stranger, at home or out in public. Supposedly the sleeper has no control over their actions.

I speculated that the research being done in October was a precursor to some legal case an attorney was preparing for. Lo and behold I was not wrong. On the 23rd of May, Mr. Scott Axelburg used this defense to justify placing his hands down the pants of a 16-year-old babysitter.

Now the concept is sketchy enough on its own. Considering the fact that probably tens of millions, if not more over the centuries, have sleptwalked or observed someone do so I’m shocked that there isn’t more reports of this if it actually occurs. But I don’t think it occurs.

I think this is another excuse defense. Something that a lawyer can use, filled with quasi-science and almost facts, that will cause a less discerning jury to pause and think there could be doubt of guilt. That’s all they need. Plausible doubt and their client gets off, or is sent to some mental facility for 60 days and then released back into the general population.

Some things in life are just to silly to be believed, and with good cause. This sounds just like one of those items. Sadly there just isn’t much interest in the media to cover this. Even worse there is enough time and access on the internet that sick individuals can find these quasi-serious research reports and use them to their advantage.

This is what I think, what do you think?