Check Them Out
[caption id="attachment_117" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="Dial My Heart"]

Check Them Out
[caption id="attachment_117" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="Dial My Heart"]

Le richieste hardware sono abbastanza mostruose ma c'è un demo per Window$ XP / Vista che vi potete scaricare per testare il tutto... anzi basta chiacchiere e faccio partire il download :D

[Uno degli interni del gioco, curatissimi come sempre quando c'è di mezzo Sokal...]

Sometimes, I wish I wasn't me
Sometimes, I wish I was drug free
Sometimes, wish I saw the exit sign first
Sometimes, wish I knew the truth without search
Sometimes, I wish I could go where I never been
See what I never saw, do what I never did
Or walk before I could crawl

Sometimes, I wish my eyes wasn't so red
Sometimes, I wish I had breakfast in bed
Sometimes, I mean it's worth it
Since I did all the work last night
Sometimes, you ain't good to me, yes
I am good to you
And you don't see my attention the way that I do

Sometimes, hey slim, you should be nicer than you are
Sometimes, you take that complaining shit way too far
I mean, I thought it was cute in the beginning but now
I think you only do it cuz you know I hate it
Sometimes, you got me wishing I didn't have home training
Sometimes, then it wouldn't hurt me so bad
With dreams of knocking you in your head
Then it wouldn't hurt me so bad
With our kitchen knife put up your ass

Sometimes, wish I knew life with no pain, yeah
Wish I held the keys to this game
Sometimes, I pretend cuz I'm afraid to be, afriad to be
Sometimes, I hope I live to see twenty five
Sometimes, I wish I could be like Moses
Round up my people, move out the ghetto
And live a better life
Sometimes, I wish I didn't try so hard
Sometimes, who knows truth any way
They don't know nothing, who needs that approval

The sun in your hands player
Move at your own pace, listen to your own mind
Do your own thing, yeah yeah
I'm saying it because I love ya
And I wanna grow with you, yeah yeah
But you wanna run in the other direction
So I got to stay on my path until I win
I win, I win, I win
I wanna win, I wanna win, I wanna win, I wanna win

Oh sometimes, sing it with me I wish
(I wish in love) And I wish, oh I wish
(I wish in peace) Oh sometimes
(I wish in hope) I wish hope
(I wish true) I wish true
(I wish clearly) Hey I wish so clearly sometimes
(Wish with no fear) I wish with no fear
(I have no fear) I have no fear
(Have no doubt) I have no doubt
(I don't doubt) I don't doubt
(Have no doubt) No, I don't doubt
(Have no doubt, I wish love)
I wish love"

That. Is. My. Anthem.

Bismillaah (In the Name of Allaah)

Dear Reader,

By Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips- Islamic Studies Vol. 1

1. MEANING

Zakaah al-Fitr is often referred to as Sadaqah al-Fitr. The word Fitr means the same as Iftaar, breaking a fast and it comes from the same root word as Futoor which means breakfast. Thus, Islamically, Zakaah al-Fitr is the name given to charity which is distributed at the end of the fast of Ramadaan.

2. CLASSIFICATION

Sadaqah al-Fitr is a duty which is Waajib on every Muslim, whether male or female, minor or adult as long as he/she has the means to do so.

The proof that this form of charity is compulsory can be found in the Sunnah whereby Ibn `Umar reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) made Zakaah al-Fitr compulsory on every slave, freeman, male, female, young and old among the Muslims; one Saa` of dried dates or one Saa` of barely. [collected by Bukhaaree - Arabic/English, vol. 2, p. 339, no. 579]

The head of the household may pay the required amount for the other members. Abu Sa'eed al-Khudree said, "On behalf of our young and old, free men and slaves, we used to take out during Allaah's Messenger's (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) lifetime one Saa` of grain, cheese or raisins". [collected by Muslim - English transl. vol. 2, p. 469, no. 2155]

3. SIGNIFICANCE

The significant role played by Zakaah in the circulation of wealth within the Islamic society is also played by the Sadaqah al-Fitr. However, in the case of Sadaqah al-Fitr, each individual is required to calculate how much charity is due from himself and his dependents and go into the community in order to find those who deserve such charity. Thus, Sadaqah al-Fitr plays a very important role in the development of the bonds of community. The rich are obliged to come in direct contact with the poor, and the poor are put in contact with the extremely poor. This contact between the various levels of society helps to build real bonds of brotherhood and love within the Islamic community and trains those who have, to be generous to those who do not have.

4. PURPOSE

The main purpose of Zakaah al-Fitr is to provide those who fasted with the means of making up for their errors during the month of fasting. Zakaah al-Fitr also provides the poor with a means with which they can celebrate the festival of breaking the fast (`Eed al-Fitr) along with the rest of the Muslims.

Ibn Abbaas reported, "The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) made Zakaah al-Fitr compulsory so that those who fasted may be purified of their idle deeds and shameful talk (committed during Ramadaan) and so that the poor may be fed. Whoever gives it before Salaah will have it accepted as Zakaah, while he who gives it after the Salaah has given Sadaqah." [collected by Abu Dawood - Eng. transl. vol. 2, p. 421, no. 1605 - rated Saheeh by Shaikh Naser Al-Albanee]

Hence, the goal of Sadaqah al-Fitr is the spiritual development of the Believers. By making them give up some of their wealth, the believers are taught the higher moral characteristics of generosity, compassion (sympathy for the unfortunate), gratitude to God and the righteousness. But, since Islaam does not neglect man's material need, part of the goal of Zakaah al-Fitr is the economic well-being of the poorer members of society.

5. CONDITIONS

Zakaah al-Fitr is only Waajib for a particular period of time. If one misses the time period without a good reason, he has sinned and can not make it up. This form of charity becomes obligatory from sunset on the last day of fasting and remains obligatory until the beginning of Salaah al-'Eed' (i.e. shortly after sunrise on the following day). However, it can be paid prior to the above mentioned period, as many of the Sahaabah (companions of the Prophet(sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) ) used to pay Sadaqah al-Fitr a couple days before the `Eed.

Naafi reported that the Prophet's companion Ibn `Umar used to give it to those who would accept it and the people used to give it a day or two before the `Eed. [collected by al-Bukhaaree - Arabic/English, Vol. 2, p.339, no. 579]

Ibn `Umar reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) order that it (Zakaah al-Fitr) be given before people go to make the Salaah (al-'Eed).

And Ibn `Abbaas reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "Whoever gives it before the Salaah will have it accepted as Zakaah, while he who gives it after the Salaah (will not, for it will only be considered as) ordinary charity. Therefore, one who forgets to pay this Zakaah al-Fitr on time should do so as soon as possible even though it will not be counted as Zakaah al-Fitr.

6. RATE

The amount of Zakaah is the same for everyone regardless of their different income brackets. The minimum amount is one Saa` (two handfuls ) of food, grain or dried fruit for each member of the family. This calculation is based on Ibn `Umar's report that the Prophet(sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) made Zakaah al-Fitr compulsory and payable by a Saa` of dried dates or a Saa` of barley.

The Sahaabee, Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree said, "In the Prophet (saw)'s time, we used to give it (Zakaah al-Fitr) as a Saa` of food, dried dates, barley, raisins or dried cheese". [collected by al-Bukhaaree - Arabic/English vol. 2, p. 340, no. 582]

1Le$Me - 1 Numarali Orospulara
1Le$Me - Cekemiyenlere (Demo)
1Le$Me - FiLiSTiN (DeMo)
1Le$me - Gencecik Bir Cocuk
1Le$me - Kimselere Guvenemiyorum
1Le$Me - Ozluyorum (Demo)
1Le$Me - Sesimi Duy Yar (Demo)
1Le$Me - TeHDiT DiSs (Demo)
1Le$me - Yeni Bir Gun Doguyor
1Le$Me Ft CRaZY oSSie - Sevdigim Nerede
1Le$Me Ft Dj Mu-Sie & FaTiH T & Dr MiCRo - SeNSiZ GuNLeR GeC
1Le$Me Ft Dj Mu-Sie & Mc Murat - Hasretimdesin
1Le$Me Ft DjSalla Hayatin Aci Gercekleri
1Le$Me Ft Ganibey - Sen Sevemesin
1Le$Me Ft Ganibey - Sensiz Kaldim
1Le$Me Ft Ganibey & 27FiRaRi - Sirtimdan Vurdun
1Le$Me Ft Kajmeran & Hancer - Yarrak Boylu Ela
1Le$Me Ft Kajmeran & KaraKule - Benim Yasamim
1Le$Me Ft Rapstylkiz - Seni Severken
1Le$Me & GeNTLeMaN & FaTiH T - DiSs 2 To SoYLeTMeZ
1le$me & Kajmeran Ft. Mc Koray 60 - Ask Acisi
1Le$Me - 1.29 Girsin Sana Dj Akman (Diss)
1Le$Me - Beni Cekemeyenlere
1Le$Me - Benim icin Yoksun Demo
1Le$Me Ft Rapstylkiz - Sensizim
1Le$Me Ft Rapstylkiz - Don Artik Bana
1Le$Me - NHakan Arda T - Senin o Gozlerin
1Le$me Ft Ganibey - Ruhum Daraldi
1Le$Me Ft Shiva & Kanon - Kalemim Pes Etti
1Le_Me Ft Bi-lal - Yalan Dunya
1Le_Me ft Dj aTaMaN - ZaLiM SeVGiLi
1Le_Me Ft Ganibey - Ali Aktar - Hep Seni Sevdim
1Le_Me Ft Ganibey Huso A - Kizlar
1Le_Me Ft GeNTLeMaN dj Mu-Sie - DeYMeZMis SaNa
1Le_Me Ft Mc_Nasihat_MisSs SeNSiZ - Seninle Son DeFa
1Lesme ft.kaptanflex & dragon c - Dertlerime Yanmisim
1Lesme Ft.MC Selcuk 01 - Askin Adi Batsin
1Lesme - aci hayat demo
2LiDarbe - Mix Diss Amsterdam
Dj_Samet FT 1LeSMe FT Kajmeran - Ellere Kactin

TIKLA İNDİR

Lately I have been feeling so scattered.

My dual roles at the Ministry and the school leave me stretched thin, but that's not what's bothering me. There's a sense of uncertainty permeating my life. To a degree it's expected - I moved home, I started working, my brother left for school, I'm readjusting to my mother and making plans for starting a Ph.D. next year.

Just, every other time things changed, I had a net. After high school it was the assurance of a scholarship. After undergrad it was the knowledge that I was more than qualified for a Master's program. But now, I am gripped by the sense of freefall.

Should I become complacent it is possible that I will remain in my current position then slowly creep up the ranks of the civil service. A perfectly satisfactory outcome according to some. I have more education than most, and a job where there is the opportunity to be at least locally prolific...now all that is left is to find a husband <wry smile>.

But I don't want that.

In the past I have made decisions, thinking I was in control - blithely assuming I knew the repercussions of my actions. It is only now that I feel the full weight of my choices...the finality they may represent. And this is why my mind feels so fractured. There are so many things to consider and my thoughts spiral and blur constantly. I am beset by the constant impression that I am not doing enough, that I am neglecting some vital task that may affect the outcome of my whole life.

I know that sounds melodramatic. But that's how I feel. Really.

This being "grown" thing is no fucking joke.

The last time I felt even marginally like this I was 19. I had just moved to Toronto. No-one met me at the airport. Buoyed by adrenaline and purpose I took a taxi to a youth hostel where I had to stay because the residence halls weren't yet open. My whole life was in 2 suitcases, one duffel and a laptop. I was fine until I called my mom. I could hear the worry in her voice: "Are you okay?" Suddenly I was not okay...I wasn't okay at all. My bravery dissolved as I realized one thing after another - dominos collapsing. I'm thousands of miles from home. I have no family here. I don't know this city. I have never been alone in a strange place. What if I fuck this up completely? What have I done!? I was crying almost before she finished the sentence. I literally felt heartsick that night. I was sure I couldn't hack it and I hadn't even begun.

The next morning I went outside. I tried to get my bearings but everything seemed so alien. Hoping to quiet my anxious thoughts I grabbed my discman and sat on the stairs in front of the hostel. I decided to listen to a new CD I picked up en route to T.O., Bilal - First Born Second. I started going through the tracks, previewing them maybe 30s or so at a time, then stopped at number 5: All That I Am (Somethin' For The People)*. Now, I hardly understand what Bilal says half the time but the song made me pause somehow. I could see it, this place...the early September sun, the sky, the people who passed, this city...but more importantly I could finally see myself in it. I put it on repeat:

All that I am/ All that I know/ All that I ever will be/ And more... **

and I just felt bigger somehow. More sure of my possibilities. Knowing I was capable of expanding to fit this city, this new scary thing. Knowing that I contained so many strengths and gifts and many more that I had yet to discover. Knowing that I was more than the sum of my parts.

I've been playing this song a lot lately, trying to gather myself up. Reminding myself of the powers I have and trusting in the existence of even greater ones I have yet to unleash. I am more than my body. I am more than my mind. I am me a year from now. I am beyond my own imaginings.

[audio http://ia311241.us.archive.org/3/items/Bilal-AllThatIAm/05AllThatIAmsomethinForThePeople_64kb.mp3|leftbg=0x9ACB9A|rightbg=0x006633]

Bilal - All That I Am (Somethin' For The People)

*Does anyone else have a "make it all feel better" track?

**The vamp out of this line at the end of the track is one of my most favoritest things ever.  You know that thing when you love all the parts so much you can decide whether to sing along with the melody, harmony or ad-libs and you *must* spontaneously chair dance? Yeah, like that.

An underrated Kweli cut featuring Bilal. From the album, "Quality."

Talib Kweli feat Bilal - Talk to You

GUEST ARTICLE

Fasting in Islam is not just another Ritual, which Removes Sins by Itself! The Miracle of the Qur'an!
By Dr. Kaukab Siddique.

*     The month of fasting must begin according to the Sunnah of Muhammad, pbuh, by the sighting of the crescent. This is not a religion of a priestly class or technocrats or elites sitting in a room to decide whether the month has begun or not. The sighting brings the entire Ummah in touch with the creation of Allah out there in the universe. It creates the culture and way of life of Islam. Some groups want to cancel this Sunnah so that they can speed up the absorption of American Muslim communities into the kafir way of life. The Sunnah is essential and integral to Islam

*    Fasting is not an end in itself. It is a means to an end. The Qur'an uses the term TAQWA to emphasize the purpose of fasting. This word has layers of meaning including Fear of Allah, awareness of Allah, self-restraint, staying away from corruption, opposing oppression and following the Example of Muhammad, pbuh.

*    The Qur'an was revealed in Ramadan. This was the greatest event in human history. It gave humans a Book of Guidance for ever and provided guidelines for the transformation of society. Women who were viewed as property, became property holders and inheritors themselves, slavery was ended and the superpowers of the time were demolished. The teachings of Abraham, Moses and Jesus [peace be on them] are part of the Qur'an because the Truth is one and indivisible.

*    The Qur'an was transmitted by the Companions of the Prophet, pbuh, [sahabah] who became the greatest fighters against slavery, the subjugation of women and the concentration of wealth in a few hands. Bilal the Ethiopian, Salman the Persian and Suhaib the Roman, instead of being excluded from an Arab-Islamic community were given leadership roles. [May Allah be pleased with all three.]

*      While laying down the rules for fasting, the Qur'an, teaches the MUTUALITY of husband-wife relationship, not the superiority of one over the other, and uses the metaphor of "garments" to emphasize this mutuality.

What is fasting for you?

Ramadan: Stop, Revive, Survive

Sheikh Bilal Dannoun explains many of the virtues of Ramadan as well as answering many common questions asked on the rules of fasting in the month of Ramadan Allah says in the Qur'an:'Oh you who believe Observing As-Saum (fasting) has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious)'

• Download [64 MB]

Andre 3000 and Seven

The exceptional debut disc, Baduizm, was Erykah Badu's album that all the hip-hop heads played when they needed a break from the "bitches and bling" music that was clogging up the airwaves. Filled with materialism and macho posturing, Hip-Hop sucked...and we wanted a little more soul. Badu's soul-inspired-Hip-Hop joints cleared the airwaves like a fresh rain washes away all the LA smog we at eargoggles had become so accustomed to. The album came off like a well-executed hip-hop record; she kept it real, she proved her point, but did it through song rather than rap.

Badu continued to grow with Mama's Gun, her third release. It took the listener on a journey into a deep and tender jucier part of her soul; a place most artists would keep heavily guarded. From the opening whispers that are supposed to be the voices in her head, the listener is made to feel as if they stumbled onto the open diary of a woman who has poured her soul into the pages. At first, you feel bad for invading her privacy, but then you are drawn in and you can't turn away.

Mama's Gun concludes with "Green Eyes." Badu's brilliant, heart-wrenching, three-parter (featuring Roy Hargrove on trumpet), which was appearently was written just after the break-up of Badu and Andre 3000 (of Outkast), the father of her son Seven. Clocking in at a smidge over 10 minutes, the track is a moody, jazzy trip through the various stages of emotions one goes through when faced with sudden unrequited love.

From the opening lines of the "Denial" movement ("My eyes are green / 'Cuz I eat a lot of vegetables / It don't have nothing to do with your new friend"), to the admission of hurt in the "Acceptance?" movement ("Feeling insecure / Love has got me sore / I don't want no more"), and ending with the raw honesty of "The Relapse" movement ("Don't you want me? What's wrong with me / You told me we had a family / Wanna run to mama when you're down and low / Boy times get tough and there you go"), you can practacally hear the tears streaming down her cheeks as her voice cracks on the songs closing notes.

Reflecting on her breakup with her Andree she noted: "We were together for three years and we have a 3-year-old son named Seven. We are still together as a family. We are not a functioning couple, but we are a family. So therefore, I am not a single mother. My son has both a father and a mother who are very responsible."

She also confirms that "Green Eyes" is about her breakup. "It is very personal. It's a three-movement suite, 10 minutes long. I wrote that song in December 1998 and that was shortly after Dre and I decided to separate. It took such a big toll on my emotions that I had to write about it. And Dre thought it was important that I write about it as well. He said, `Yeah, you should write about it so other people can feel what we feel and know how that feels so they won't make the same judgment on themselves.' So we thought that it was important as artists that we use our outlet, music, and pray that our freedom of speech and art will aid someone else's growth."

The powerful tune details the stages of the breakup. "The first movement is called `Denial.' I was denying that I was even upset at all."

Badu continues, "The second movement is called `Acceptance?' with a question mark behind it. `Am I accepting this?' I was kind of starting to accept it. And the third movement is called `The Relapse.' You go through all these stages of heartache and getting over it. The Brother helped me through it is as much as he could," she laughs. "But that's something we have to do as adults. We can't make anybody else responsible for our feelings. I hope the song shares that bit of wisdom."

She loved OutKast's Stankonia with the hit Ms. Jackson, the song about a baby's mama's mother.

"I am the mother of his first son, so it may have something to do with me," she admits. "He wanted to give the world something to think about baby's mama's mother and baby's daddy. We are very proud of him, my whole family. My mom just laughs about Ms. Jackson. She and Dre are really pretty cool; they talk."

She explains that Andre is essentially saying in  the song, "`I apologize, my intentions were good. I never meant to make your daughter cry.' Nobody wants to do that. He is a very humble, good Brother. He is a really good person."

Trading Common Sense for Common

In 2000 assending Rapstar Common was in Chicago promoting his new release, eargoggles must-play favorite, "Like Water for Chocolate." The album had just been released 2 weeks prior; the night held two shows at the House of Blues with a break in between.

During the break in between the shows was where it all started. Common, Common Sense at the time, was go through the beginning phase of his transition from underground Hip-Hop artist and local hero into the mainstream Rap Act for MCA.

Up until this point a major record label had never invested three to five hundred thousand dollars into a Rap Act that wasn't from the East Coast, West Coast, or talking about negative things surrounding them. With the success of The Roots' 1998 smash album, Things Fall Apart, record companies started to look at "Rap" and Hip-Hop from a different point of view.

MCA thought that Common was the right artist at the right time and they were more than ready to exploit explore this new avenue of positive Black Music. He had the Mega-Platinum Lauryn Hill on a couple of tracks, yet he still had never reached gold status with any of his previous 3 albums (Reserection is a must for any Hip-Hop Heavy). Before Like Water for Chocolate his previous albums combined had not toppled the 500,000 (or Gold) sales mark.

Why the success with this album? This was during the time when Record execs thought the whole "Napster Fad" was going away; especially with the whole DRM thing. MCA was throwing an unprecidented level of money into this project considering it's content. All kinds of merch and promos. Billboards, radio airplay, retail displays, press, and tours. They were allocating more resources to Common than some of their Rock acts of that time. Common was on buttons, stickers, T-shirts, posters...

A promising thing at the time was that they were pushing the album's release date back because the orders were still coming in. Back in 2000, the number you sold in stores was directly releated to the amount that distribution set for it's sales goal to the stores before the album dropped. So, if Capital Records had your album at a national retail sales goal of something like 20,000, then that was how many they were expecting to sell-not much. But if the album demand increased at the store level, then the release date is pushed back and numbers re-calculated. Remember Pre-ordering albums? This was a gauge for the Record Companies. Gold and Platinum are certified by how many are sold to stores not by stores. The retail store orders for Like Water for Chocolate were somewhere around 340,000 when the album finally dropped in March of 2000-a prime spot to go Gold.

Swoop

--paraphrasing an account from an unknown source backstage:

Back at the House of Blues, Common had many of his Chicago-based friends of this new "Black-Positive" Movement there supporting him and collaborating with him. Erykah and (Common's Bandmate) Bilal performed in both of the shows and Mos Def came out as a surprise guest in the first of the two.

In between sets Erykah showed up in Common's dressing room wearing some extremely tall boots-almost fell down the stairs, stumpled here and there. Along with Bilal the two of them started drinking-smoking and having a good time. She sat down next to Bilal on a couch and that's when Bilal started in. He eased himself up to Erykah, talking to her, mumbling in a hushed tone in her ear. She was very receptive to the things that Bilal was saying-giving him a look of longing and acceptance. They had a couple more sips of their drinks and moved in closer.

Bilal wanted a refill, asked if Erykah could use one as well, and got up to get them some fresh cocktails. As he got up they looked at each other very intensely. Erykah was giving him that "come back to me baby" look she very seldom, if not ever, used and he exited. As if out of a Notorious BIG lyric Soon as he buy that wine / I just creep up from behind Common walks in to the dressing room, trimmed beard-Kangol hat-nicet fitted suit- to "talk" to Erykah. She was equally receptive to Common's game as Bilal's. At this point she was single, Andre and her were and had been broken up for a while, and she was possibly a little lonely. Probably could have been any smooth talking gent at that time that would catch her ear. Few moments later, Bilal returns to the dressing room drinks in hand and a shocked look upon his face. Common had swooped in on his game. He sat down in another chair, sipped the two drinks in his hands and tried to play it off like nothing happened.

By now Common had Erykah fully engaged in conversation, but not as intense as Bilal and Erykah's had been, it was as if they were old friends catching-up. Anyone in the room could tell that something was happening in there though, whether that was the beginning or not...you could tell that Common had influenced her that night-or she was under some kind of influence.

Electric Circus

Just as Common had influenced Erykah Badu, Badu had inturn influenced Common. On his next album, Electric Circus (2002 MCA), if was instantly apparent that Badu had done something to Common. Whether that was a good thing or not was for the people to decide. The underground rapper who used to tote a 40oz as a young buck was now exploring a whole new sound on this record. Many guests (Badu, Mary J Blige, Jill Scott and even Stereolab's Laetitia Sadier) and guest producers (?uestlove, J-Dilla, and the Neptunes) make the album hard to swallow for some of his evergrowing fanbase; here at eargoggles we embraced it. Like some Herbie Hancock records in the 70s (Fat Albert Rotunda, Mwandishi, Man-child.....) he brought in outside influences and ran with it. Not all of the tracks mixed, but if Prince were to do a Hip-Hop record this would be the closest thing to it. Upon a recent roadtrip through the Berkshires some of us at eargoggles (re)listened to the album amongst the beauty that is New England. Wasn't too fitting, but really funked up the drive. Man, the Red Sox are really getting on our nerves...Go Angels!

Still Ms. Badu couldn't take the most maddening (or maybe the most endearing) trait the Common has away from him-- his unapologetic earnestness. The Black Panther Salute-like-Neo-Soul-Bohemian influences didn't seem to fit, but what drove Electric Circus was an exploration of personal shortcommings and a lot of musical ambition. With the help of ?uestlove he took Stereolab into the Hip-Hop realm way before Pharrell; where do you think he got the idea? (Pharell is a featured artist on Electric Circus.) Nevertheless, the record is a spacy-good time that will take you to another place in the universe if you aren't prepared.

Just Be

After disappointing the hardcore Hip-Hop Heads with his last effort, the (over)exploratory Electric Circus in 2002, Common was sent back into the studio with longtime friend (and nobody at the time) Kanye West and Detroit producer Jay Dee (later changed his Name to J-Dilla). The result was the critically acclaimed Be, which leans on Common’s raw lyrical artillery of clever rhymes and metaphors. He went back to his dapper ways, dropped the hippie act and started smooth-talkin the ladies again. He also introduced the world to John Legend, but that's a whole other post all together.

Creatively, it’s between two albums, Can I Borrow a Dollar and Electric Circus.

Taken from:

Associated Press Mon, May. 23, 2005

AP: Perhaps your fans didn’t believe that the album essentially came from within you, rather more from your then-girlfriend Erykah Badu.

Common: (Laughs.) The album was all me at that time. I go through changes. If you look at my career, I started off holding 40-ounce (of beer) on my first cover. I grow and I go through changes. I think that there was a period in my life that I was trying to find myself, maybe trying to find myself in that relationship too. That was one of my transitional periods and that isn’t always going to fly with the masses.

AP: What do you say to critics who thought you got soft and impressionable during the making of your last album?

Common: Where I’m from and how I was raised, I never got to prove that I’m hard. My music never comes from anyone else.

AP: When you started recording Be, where you already broken up?

Common: We had been broken up for a little while, and it was a time where I was really grounded. It came to me at a hard time in life where I was really hungry.

AP: What are you trying to convey artistically on Be?

Common: That first of all, I’m a human, I’m a person. I experience different emotions like love, sexuality, creativity. I just want to show the sides of who I am as a being. I tried to not think about my sales, what I’ve done in the past. I was in the moment when making this album.

AP: After all these years, how do you keep on reinventing yourself and not get bored like most artists?

Common: I try to find new challenges, new things that excite me. On my last album it was about breaking boundaries and convention in hip-hop. Part of the challenge this time was that people where kind of doubting me, so that got me hungry.

AP: Would you ever consider having another public relationship like you did with Erykah Badu?

Common: I don’t think I would. I wouldn’t hide behind a relationship either, but one thing I do think is that sometimes you open up so much that you allow other energies to come in. And if it’s vulnerable at that time, then, you know, it can get messed up.

Badu 2008

“Don’t listen to the tabloids, they’re not always true, but what they say about me and the men? Yeah, that’s true," pans Badu on the taping of her February 2008 VH-1 Soul's Storytellerss. "I got ’em wearing crochet pants, but they still soldiers.” With thunderous laughter and knowing chuckles from the female fans in the crowd, Badu introduces her next single off the album “Soldier 7.”

What is it that they say about Badu and her men?

They ride bicycles????

Erykah Badu used to be a strong woman, with strong woman ideals and some sort of cred now she may be sending out the wrong message by becoming Hip-Hop's town bicycle.

She is now pregnant with her 3rd child. No big deal, congrats! That's wonderful. But...the father is that guy Jay Electronica, a self-proclaimed genius--which nobody has heard of right?. Not only that though; it's her 3rd different father. Happens all the time...but she was supposed to be a role-model some say. All kinds of people in the Hip-Hop world universe are in an uproar. Which caused Erykah to post this.

How dare you disrespect the queendom and my children and my intelligence.

Ive never been so disgusted in all of my life. There is no other place i used to enjoy more I post no where else .you guys have taken an all time low , tho.

I am an excellent mother and resent all of the negative comments and insults on my character. I put much time and thought into having and raising my children. Ive had the honors of having 2 home births and 2 wonderful partners by my side.

Every relationship i have been in was because i loved the person dearly and was dedicated to us "exclusively" for a number of years. The fathers of my children are my brothers and friends .we have a great deal of respect for one another and always will.

We love our children to no end. We took our own "vows" and continue to uphold them. And that is what that is .

Is it really "good" to stay in a relationship where both parties are unfulfilled , longing for relief , bringing one another down as a result of improper training , creating bad energy and experiences for the child to repeat ? (not to mention breeding deceit and anger and resentment )

How many of you grew up in 2 parent homes that were miserable as fuck ? Or 2 parent homes that were not perfect but worked? How many grew up in one parent homes where the mother worked hard to make sure you were cared for but she wasnt quite happy? How about a home where the father was the main care giver and did the best he could -lacking nurture? How many of you have a sibling that has a different father or mother? Does he or she mean less to you? How many of you have more than 1 mother or father of your own children ? How many of you had /or / are parents responsible enough to make good decisions for yourself and your children ,that dont quite fit any of these descriptions?
How many of you stay in unhealthy relationships for fear of going to hell?

Birth control lol- could have 10 babies instead of 2 .your opinions lack experience and are not only careless but also very uninformed and immature. Nothing is sacred here . And i see why.

If i loose you as a fan because i want to continue to have children then fuck off-who needs you-certainly not me |kick rocks ¦ call tyrone ¦ pack light â. Bite me

I have defended myself here on this site and hurled a few insults .. But only in response to your insults of my music , my clothes , my lyrics , my hair , my being a woman , my spirit, my choices of partners.

And if this post is not clear
kiss my placenta.

Nice.

Here's a recent interview from

GIANT MAGAZINE

“I know about the backlash, the ‘Erykah Badu, if you look at her, she’ll make you change gods and wear crochet pants’ backlash,” she says. “But nobody looks at the things that those people have given to me.”

What have they given you?

“Just so much musical freedom. Common is the most humble person I ever met. Kind and generous. He reinforced that in me. Andre is very creative and artistic. All of that that you see of him, that’s all him. That’s how he is, and that gave me a creative push, too.”

Although Badu is fairly cryptic when discussing her old beaus, she allows this brief, whispered indulgence.

“With Andre, we were both very young, so we didn’t know what we wanted or anything. We just knew we were in love, and we didn’t care who saw us. With Common, it was a little bit more mature.”

Whoa, lots going on there.

But why all the stories and info about these folks?? One reason... We just picked up an EP with the same theme as this post/feature from eargoggles' staple Turntable Lab.

Here's the write-up:

Feelgood summertime remixes from Plug Label head Kero One. His remix of Common's "The Light(1)" is super-satisfying like Pacificos by the pool. Warm melodic guitar loops and crisp drums give it substance, play it at your next outdoor gig and feel the warm vibes fill the air. Kero's remix of Erykah Badu's "On And On(2)" keeps a similar pace as the original, but adds that LA cosmic soul flourishes and swagger. On the flip, he adds some fatback drums and 70s synths to Outkast's "Roses(3)," and makes it into a song that both the ladies and beatheads can get down to. Three for three is rare, but Kero comes through. Also includes instrumental versions of "The Light" and "Roses."

88-Keys [The Death of Adam 10.28] featuring J*Davey, Redman, Phonte, Kid Cudi, & Bilal. 

Executive Produced by Kanye West.

The story of Adam and Eve and role women have in the demise of mankind has always been one of fascination. It is this fascination that gave birth to the concept of the debut album from long time producer 88-Keys: The Death of Adam.  The story of Adam’s demise was weaved in every aspect of the album, down to the theme of the funeral listening party he had last night.

Journalists and industry folk were invited to gather together to pay respect to their long lost friend Adam last night at the Gin Left Loft.  The service was preceded by none other than Donell Rawlings. Friends and featured artists Bilal and Shitake Monkey went up to say a few words, and the discovery of Adam’s second baby mama ensued. Q-Tip gladly played videographer, looking fashion forward as usual. I don’t know many people that can pull off wearing basketball shorts with a long sleeved button up and a tie and get away with it – however I digress. Aside from all the theatrics, food and open bar lay the real gem of the evening -  the album itself.

Laid out in 14 tracks, The Death of Adam is a symbolic tale of mankind’s obsession and relationship with the va jay jay. In this case, how it changes and ultimately ends the life of Adam. Hip hop soul beats interlaced with 88’s own vocals (both rapping and singing) show a new side of him. Feature guests include Kanye West (who also executive produced the album), J* Davey, Shitake Monkey, Just Blaze, Bilal, Kid Cudi, Redman and Phonte of Little Brother. But what is great about this album , is even though so many different people contributed, their appearances never overshadow the star: 88. The album is still very much all his sound.

Being I have been around for many stages of this project, heard it unfinished and unmixed, then reworked and sat and talked to 88 about the message in each song, I can appreciate it that much more. I mean he has been working on this album for the last two years, done cut his hair and had another baby in that time. When snippets were leaked last year of M.I.L.F. everyone asked the same question, where is the friggin album? But I told people that 88 is not only a genius producer, but a perfectionist. He had a vision for how he wanted this story told and wouldn’t put it out until it was just right. So, I am very excited that day is finally here.

Sadly, I doubt much of the audience last night could truly appreciate all the work 88 put into his opus like I did. Industry heads clamored amongst themselves in the back of the room more concerned with each other, talking loudly and trying to look cool. Oh well, maybe this album isn’t really for them. It’s for the real fans of hip hop – those who long for the days when there was a message behind the music. For the fans of 88-Keys that have rode with him since the days of Black Star and anxiously waited for him to make an album like this. And for the people that think it’s about time someone as talented as him gets some shine. Be forewarned: this is not just another hip hop producer’s album.

Check out The Death of Adam when it drops on October 28th on Decon Records.

Space Invasions

[-Robin Thicke

-Lloyd & Lil'Wayne

-Radiohead

- Solange

Regional Records

Extra Smooth

 Extra Necessary

[vodpod id=ExternalVideo.677845&w=425&h=350&fv=]

Live Footage

Treats-

-Courtesy of 2dope -Stay on Your Level ( prod by Pete Rock) - Charles Hamilton

-Throwback-Neo Soul classic track-Soul Sista- Bilal

I Know Why- Lupe & Gemstones

• temperate climate [i.e. perfect excuse 4 those cut-off shorts, fellas!]
• back-2-school sales @ wal-mart
• slow demise of summer :(((
• aaaand....

BLACK AUGUST BENEFIT CONCERT!!!

if you don't know then you better ask somebodyyyy

this annual concert series was begun in the Golden State [cali-for-ni-ay] to honor the memory of Black Panther Party member, George Jackson, who was assasinated in 1971. Aside from being a dope orgy-in-your-ear event, the overall aim of the concert is to raise awareness of the ongoing struggle for human rights and politicize the young minds that come out every year. Goals include:

• Raising awareness of political prisoners and prisoners of war in the US
• Educating Black and Brown people of the legacy of freedom fighters in the struggle for our liberation
• Developing and expanding an international network of activists and artists opposed to the criminalization and mass incarceration of Afrikan people
• Implementing an international human rights campaign using hip hop as a tool and common language
• Linking and addressing issues facing Afrikan people globally, such as AIDS, poverty, incarceration, police brutality and displacement/gentrification

[source: Facebook ¦ 11th Annual Black August Hip Hop Concert]

this year's lineup will include:

EPMD

Bilal

Q-Tip [vivrant thang!]

Das EFX, Shadia Mansour, Smif-n-Wessun

Immortal Technique [this video will raise the hair on ur neck--trust!]

Joell Ortiz, Rebel Diaz, and Blitz the Ambassador, [who recently held one of his biggest shows @ performance venue SOBs].

DJ's: DJ Evil Dee, DJ Marley Marl, DJ OP, DJ K Salaam

brazy!

this year the NYC date will take place at the legendary B.B. King's Blues Club & Grizzill in NYC [237 W. 42nd] at 11 pm, when the night is still young! this venue is bomb, too! i was there in June for the Save Darfur Benefit feat. Talib Kweli and would go back in a heartbeat. it's a real classy joint w/ nice seating for those who wanna take in the show from afar and/or chow down, then there's the charming block of wood panel flooring for those who wanna stand & watch & get crunk all at once [that's me].

if interested, DON'T WAIT! For once tix aren't sold out

GET TICKETS NOW @ TICKETMASTER for the MODEST PRICE of 25 PESOS

A.

Grâce à Doctor’s Advocate

Ah si, j’ai omis de parler de son étoile rouge "L.A." tatouée sur sa joue par-dessus son papillon et de son séjour écourté en prison (moins d’une semaine) qui lui a fait un peu de publicité, peu après avoir insinué dans la presse qu’il avait des pensées suicidaires. J’avais presque oublié ces détails tellement ça paraissait obsolète à côté de ce qu'il se tramait autour de ce troisième LP. Après cette parenthèse judiciaire, des extraits ont été ‘leakés’ sur le Net et diverses mixtapes promotionnelles, de Mars à aujourd’hui (26 Août) : « Big Dreams »,  « 911 is a Joke » en hommage à Sean Bell, « Superman » produit par Just Blaze, « Ain’t Red Magic » feat Lil Wayne, « Camera Phone » avec Ne-Yo, « Gangsta Party » feat Akon, « Ain’t Fuckin’ With You » produit par les Trackmasters, « Spanglish »… Des tracks qui ont finalement finit écartées du tracklisting définitif pour compléter une liste impressionnante de ‘leftovers’. Aucune session avec Busta Rhymes, Mary J Blige ou Snoop Dogg n’ont été retenues sur cet opus, ni de prods de Timbaland, Swizz Beatz et encore moins de Dr Dre, simplement parce que la fameuse rencontre tant rêvée entre le maître et l'ancien élève renvoyé n’a pas eu lieu. On estime à 50 le nombre de morceaux enregistrés pour les besoins de LAX (Wikipédia en a dressé une liste). Plutôt que d'imaginer comment aurait pu être le LAX idéal (comme je l'avais fait pour Tha Carter III sur Streetblogger), il vaut mieux se contenter de ce que l'on a sous la main et c'est ce que je vais tâcher de faire.

L'introduction (comme l'outro) est dictée par les bonnes paroles prêchées par DMX (qui doit se repentir derrière les barreaux à l'heure qu'il est), un des invités surprises de l'album. Des notes de piano à l'intensité dramatique ouvrent sur « L.A.X. Files », un dossier brûlant sur l'état des lieux complet sombrement réaliste de la Cité des Anges en cette année 2008, sur lequel The Game délivre un flow nerveux et vif pour garder l'auditeur en alerte. A la suite de ce constat moribond, il décrète immédiatement avec Ice Cube le « State of Emergency » dans tout Los Angeles. La présence de Cube est d'autant plus symbolique qu'elle sous-entend que Game peut faire un bon représentant émérite des N.W.A., comme lui en revendiquait sa filiation avant même son premier LP. Ni en rouge et surtout pas en bleu, l'un comme l'autre se vêtent usuellement de noir (comme pour guère montrer aucune affiliation à un gang), une couleur - si je puis dire - qui sied bien au climat westcoast de ce troisième disque lancé par ce thème sur l'insécurité. 

Après ces deux instrus signés JR Rotem, au tour de Jelly Roll d'apporter sa contribution en perpétuant lui aussi une atmosphère oppressante pour la démonstration de storytelling « Bulletproof Diaries », une coopération East/West avec le lyriciste d'exception qu'est Raekwon (seul représentant de la forteresse Aftermath). Vers le milieu de LAX, « Let Us Live » (feat Chrisette Michele) et « House of Pain », respectivement produits par Scott Storch et DJ Toomp, nous replongent dans cette ambiance 'dark'. Même le « Gentlemen's Affair » avec Ne-Yo possède un côté obscur, c'est dire l'humeur tendue. Le mot de la fin « Letter to the King » avec Nas parachève l'album sur une triste note soulful (léguée par Hi-Tek), avant de retourner la parole à DMX pour une dernière prière.

« California Sunshine » parvient à apporter quelques fins rayons de soleil, une track estivale plombée par une production de Nottz sans entrain, malgré des percussions exotiques, et un Bilal qui se satisfait du minimum syndical. Nottz ne semble pas très à l'aise aux côtés de The Game et Ludacris, l'hydro-funky « Ya Heard » est assez frustant à écouter, le beat ressemble trop à du Jelly Roll. Pour se faire plaisir, il faut se passer « Angel » feat Common sur une production de Kanye West samplant « Angel Dust » de Gil-Scott Heron, idéale pour rouler décapoté.

Parmi les quatre morceaux enregistrés avec Lil Wayne, il n'y a que le peu joyeux « My Life » qui a été retenu, de surcroît pour être le 3e single. Weezy s'occupe simplement du "hook tuné", sur un instrumental des Cool & Dre. Les producteurs basés à Miami réalisent également « Money » sur fond de Betty Wright. Il est vrai que les singles dispos ne sont pas réellement représentatifs de LAX, mais ils sont pour le moins bons, voire très bons. Je pense bien entendu à « Game's Pain » avec Keyshia Cole et l'énorme « Dope Boys », produit par un inconnu du nom de 1500 or Nothing, assisté par Travis Barker à la batterie (déchaînée) et DJ Quik aux synthés. The Game en profite dans le clip pour faire de la pub gratuite pour les écouteurs développés par Dr Dre. 1500 or Nothing (c'est le prix qu'il demande pour une prod?) fait aussi sensation avec le très sensuel « Touchdown ». Le MC s'exerce à rimer en 'S' ou 'X' pour deshabiller les filles sur un instru lounge à tendance nusoul, inspirée par Curtis Mayfield et complémentée par le crooner Raheem DeVaughn.

Les name-droppings à outrance sont encore d'actualité, or je tiens pour mémoire à rappeler que son pseudonyme est 'The Game', il représente le 'game' et donc nommer des groupes ou artistes hip-hop/r&b fait partie de son créneau. Puis avec le temps, on a tous fini par s'y accoutumer à cette manie, surtout qu'ici, les noms qu'il cite sont plus fondus dans ses textes. Sur le 'Dréesque' « Never Can't Say Goodbye », le rappeur va jusqu'à ressasser la vie peu de temps avant la mort des icônes 2Pac, Notorious BIG et Eazy-E. Chose étonnante, l'interlude « Hard Liquor »  où l'on entend derrière l'instru du même titre bootleg featuring Kokane, datant de 2006 je crois.

Pour résumé, LAX est un album momentanément assombri par des samples rock ou des grosses basses bien graves, il est plus dense que les précédents (19 morceaux et des bonus pour les fans), des caractéristiques que tout le monde n'appréciera pas forcément. La vibe est Westcoast dans sa majorité (non-absolue), quoi de plus évident, avec toujours cette facette Eastcoast derrière le micro. Pas d'évolution notable d'un point de vue stylistique par rapport à Doctor's Advocate (qui reste son meilleur disque à mon humble avis), mis à part un flow un plus fluide, beaucoup moins poussif que sur The Documentary pour la comparaison. The Game confirme une fois de plus qu'il a un flair incroyable pour dénicher des instrus ou des rookies de la production. Je parle plus précisement du claviériste Ervin "EP" Pope, 1500 Or Nothing et Knobody, les nouvelles recrues qui brillent respectivement sur les singles « Game's Pain » et « Dope Boys », de quoi faire poids égal avec d'autres producteurs bien implantés dans le milieu.

Comme pour les name-droppings toujours aussi omniprésents dans ses lyrics, on pourrait blâmer - à tort - la quantité d'invités, ne laissant que trois solos sur l'addition, dont le terrible « House of Pain ». Mais parmi tous les featurings, seuls Common, Raekwon, Nas et Ludacris laissent chacun un couplet, les autres, chanteurs r&b ou rappeurs (les deux quand il s'agit de Lil Wayne qui a ravalé l'autotune) s'occupent uniquement du refrain et quelques ad-libs pour agrémenter. Juste ce qu'il faut et c'est très bien ainsi. 

Il apparaîtra peut-être que LAX soit moins plaisant à écouter que les autres disques de Game. Même si l'ensemble est solide et sérieux, et que le MC reste farouchement attaché à ses convictions, je n'arrête pas de penser intimement que le résultat aurait pu être plus probant. La maturité semble être la prochaine étape pour lui. Il faudra toutefois qu'il personnalise un peu plus son environnement sonore plutôt que de reproduire ce qu'il a appris aux côtés de Dr Dre. Comme pour Doctor's Advocate, la production est partiellement alimentée par un son générique Aftermath grâce à la participation notamment de replicatas du Doc, tels que Nottz et les deux "Dr Dre blancs", j'ai nommé Scott Storch et Johnathan "JR" Rotem.  Mais il n'y a que le légendaire Dr Dre (à l'agenda ultra-over-booké) qui pourrait galvaniser à nouveau The Game. Ce dernier prouve là qu'il est définitivement un artiste confirmé qui ne démérite pas son statut de gangster-rappeur défenseur de la cause Hip-Hop. 

Croisons les doigts pour que Detox remette la Westcoast au premier plan.

Difficile de se faire un nom pour soi-même lorsqu’on est le fils ou la fille d’une grande célébrité, en être l’héritier est parfois une tâche difficile à assumer lorsqu’on essaie de ne pas reproduire le schéma parental. Alors imaginez lorsqu’on est « la sœur de ». Certes, il n’y a pas de filiation parents-enfants à perpétuer mais  dans une fratrie c’est à celui qui projette la meilleure image et dégage une forte personnalité, le plus talentueux de tous qui obtiendra la consécration. On a déjà pu s’en rendre compte avec la famille Jackson. Mais Solange, c’est une autre histoire. Outre la ressemblance physique et vocale avec sa sœur Beyonce Knowles(-Carter ?) léguée par les liens du sang, cette graine de star qui se la joue solo a certainement du talent à revendre. Maintenant arrivée à l’étape décisive du second album, baptisé Sol-Angel & The Hadley St Dreams, Solange vient apporter un élément qui manque cruellement au r&b contemporain : un bol d’air frais !... dans un arc-en-ciel néo-électro-rétro.

Pour ne rien faire comme tout le monde, et on ne s’en plaindra pas, Solange a fait appel à des virtuoses de la production, plus réputés pour leur qualité d’artistes que pour le nombre de bangers qu’ils produisent annuellement. Le premier que je peux citer s’agit de Jack Splash (Alicia Keys, Estelle, Plantlife…), qui illumine le monde en expansion de la jeune chanteuse, dans un style Motown des sixties et seventies revisité des plus réussi, comme cette « Ode To Marvin » qui reprend la rythmique du standard de la soul, j’ai nommé « What’s Goin On ». Cee-Lo participe d’ailleurs à l’écriture de « T.O.N.Y. ». À elle ensuite de s’occuper de la partie chant, qui aurait pu nécessiter de quelques ajustements pour donner un aspect plus ‘professionnel’, comme c’est le cas de son aînée. Les Neptunes (c’est-à-dire Pharrell) semblent méconnaissables à la réalisation du single « I Decided », il faut tendre l’oreille sur le pianotage pour percevoir leur empreinte entraînée par des claps en continu. Le détenteur du Grammy Award du meilleur producteur 2008, Mark Ronson, a conçu avec la participation de la figure légendaire Lamont Dozier une chanson sur-mesure pour Solange, « 6 O’Clock Blues ». 

Comme préfigure le premier morceau soul spatial « God Given Name », Sol-Angel & The Hadley St Dreams propose une orientation vers de l’électronica lounge, que l’on retrouve sur le réjouissant « Valentine’s Day ». « Cosmic Journey » en duo avec Bilal va encore plus loin dans l’expédition, en totale apesanteur, de l’anticonformisme pur. Rarement a-t-on pu entendre quelque chose de semblable dans le domaine de la soul/r&b ce millénaire. Dans le domaine de l’« inentendu », Solange élargit son rayon en ‘samplant’ les Boards of Canada sur « My Bird ». Drôle de mélange, c’est absolument inhabituel pour l’amateur de r&b lambda. On peut saluer la prise de risque. 

Cette moitié de Beyoncé tire son épingle du jeu en construisant un univers sonore qui lui est propre, une identité musicale soul/r&b volubile, à part, qui la démarque sensiblement de sa grande sœur, et du reste de la production r&b actuelle (qui dérive dangereusement vers la pop). Ne cherchez plus la comparaison après ça, son évolution n’en sera que plus intéressante les années qui viennent. 

My favorite Bilal song. Why he hasn't blown up is beyond me...

Bilal - Something To Hold On To

Du 7eme au 9eme art : l'énumération a longtemps souligné l'antérioté du cinéma sur la bande-dessinée (BD). Au cours des années 50, la télévision a fait valoir sa spécificité et revendiqué la 8eme place. Et pourtant, la TV s'est rarement montrée originale. Néanmoins, l'image électronique s'est taillée une place au soleil que le jeu vidéo (JV) pourrait bien capter. La créativité des studios d'édition a marqué des points, soutenue par un marché de plus en plus porteur. Aujourd'hui, ciné, BD et JV s'inspirent les uns des autres, s'adaptent mutuellement et se copient, avec talent parfois.

Des BD "storyboardées"
Je vois la BD SF évoluer vers le cinéma à partir de la fin des années 70. Une évolution qui atteindra les Comics 5 à 10 ans plus tard (période qui correspond également avec le décollage du manga en Occident). Visuellement, les angles y deviennent plus violents (plongée / contre-plongée), les vignettes explosent et le juxtaposition de formats (panoramiques, verticaux ou plus petits) participe du rythme et de l'ambiance de lecture : c'est du montage. Les images gagnent en profondeur de champ et le récit plus complexe devient moins linéaire.

Du cinéma "pillard"
Les BD ont été adaptées au ciné, et plus seulement en dessins animés (oublions ces antiques adaptations filmées des Aventures de Tintin). Récemment, Astérix, Batman, Spiderman, Xmen, Daredevil, The Watchmen, Sin City, 300, Persépolis, Largo Winch, SpeedRacer ont occupé les écrans. En France, Enki Bilal (Immortel) ou son pillage (le 5eme Elément) se sont affirmés comme les adaptations ambitieuses, artistiquement dans un cas et financièrement dans l'autre, d'une esthétique BD.

Dénominateur commun : la technologie
Si les super héros virevoltent si bien sur nos toiles, c'est grâce aux progrès des effets spéciaux numériques, également exploités dans les jeux, pour les séquences cinématiques notamment. Ces avancées facilitent aussi l'adaptation ciné des cartons du JV, les producteurs misant sur un public de fans déja constitué. Prochain essai : Max Payne, avec Mark Wahlberg, qui dans la version JV a déjà utilisé l'effet Bullet Time (apparu au cinéma dès 1997). Espérons au passage que le scénario sera à la hauteur des attentes du public.

Old Boy : l'esthétique du JV au cinéma
Ultime renversement, les réalisateurs sont désormais des joueurs et lecteurs de BD. Ils s'inspirent d'une esthétique et d'un rythme typique du jeu vidéo. Un exemple ? Chan-wook Park qui est l'auteur de Old Boy. Ce film coréen (récompensé à Cannes en 2004) s'inspire certes d'un manga mais assimile aussi les codes visuels et scéniques du JV. Certains (vieux de la vieille) me diront que Tron avait précédé tout cela. Rien à voir. Avant Old Boy, je n'avais jamais vu une telle scène d'action inspirée d'une jeu d'arcade 2D à la Street Fighter aussi bien réalisée, intégrée et cohérente. Un vrai morceau de bravoure au milieu d'un film intelligent. Avez-vous d'autres exemples ? Je suis preneur...