R.I.P.

I vividly remember the morning of August 25^th 2001. The smell of my mother’s morning coffee filled my lungs as I entered our kitchen to see the Calgary Herald open on our table made of dark cedar. While the exact headline eludes me, the news that hip hop artist, singer and actress Aaliyah had passed broke my pre-prepubescent heart. I was 12 at the time and just beginning to discover the world of hip-hop, rap and RnB. My emotions were on high volume and my raging hormones almost drove my parents to take up a vicodin addiction. There was something about Aaliyah’s beauty and voice that diminished my teenage angst and subconsciously told me everything would eventfully be alright. While my feelings for Timbaland have changed since the early 00’s, Aaliyah’s collaborations with the notorious hit maker produced undeniable billboard hits. She was at the top of her game in 2001 and was taken from us far too soon. You’ll forever be missed.

While I’ll admit my love for Drake is becoming a borderline obsession, I couldn’t help myself.

Dear Dana,

I’ve never lost a parent, a friend, or a lover but I will never forget this day for the rest of my life. I remember getting the news that you had passed and it connected with my heart like a clean shot from Muhammad Ali. I was crushed. Not only was I one of your biggest fans but I was truly in love with you. I loved the way you carried yourself, the way you dressed, the confidence with which you addressed passion and relationships in your music. I said to myself that even if we never met, I wanted a woman in my life just like you. I am pained that we will never get to connect now that music ended up being my career path. But you should know, we all listen to you everyday and we remain inspired and moved by all that you’ve given the world. I hope I make the right life choices so I can end up in heaven where I know you rest your head. I’ll continue to make music in your honor until the day we finally meet. Dinner’s on me!

Love you always and forever,

Drake

Prop What?

In November 2008 proposition 8 was passed during state elections in California. The proposition, which was passed via ballot proposition, restricted the definition of marriage to strictly the union between members of the opposite sex. Such limitations overturned the California Supreme courts decision that marriage was the constitutional right of same-sex couples.

In reaction to it’s passing, the NOH8 Campaign was born. NOH8 features photographs of protestors against a white background with their mouths taped shut and the words NOH8 printed on their cheek. Created in 2009, the campaign that started with everyday individuals reached Hollywood. Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, FeFe Dobson and Perez Hilton are only a few of the starlets that posed for photographer Adam Bouska.

The campaigns for and against Prop 8 have raised $39.9 million and $43.3 million respectively, making it the highest-funded campaign on any state ballot and surpassing every campaign in the country in spending except the presidential contest

On Wednesday of last week District Judge Vaughn Walker overturned Proposition 8 on the grounds that it was unconstitutional, finally giving justice to the thousands of Same-sex couples who reside in California and beyond. Although an appeal is currently being filed, we can temporarily rejoice in the fact that equality in America is no longer impossibility. And in reality we all win, as admittedly following news of Prop 8’s death Lady Gaga “instantly began to write music”.

Put Your Hands Up If You Single For The Night

Damn she text me all day and night,

So pissed off she aint even spelling sh-t right,

I text her back, tell her it's life,

Now somebody tell them hoes, I'm single for the night.

If I’ve learned anything this summer its that emotions are only relevant for short periods of time. Very rarely do we constantly feel the same way about someone or something. One moment anger completely consumes you and the next your flattered over a text message or a late night voice mail. Yet, feelings for a particular music track can remain stagnant forever.

I remember the first time I heard Weezy’s song “Single”. It was the start of summer, when possibilities of flings and pure adulterated fun are endless. As I lay in my queen-sized bed, the need for sleep eluded me. My nightly blog surfing found me at a site previewing Weezy’s new video. Within the first 30 seconds of the song I was absorbed by the words of a lyrical genius. Weezy takes words and cements them into sequences, which after one listen now seem like common sense. In the first chorus of “Single” he simultaneously objectifies the female body while making it seem perfectly natural at the same time. Yes, Weezy's personal conduct is questionable, as he drinks more cough syrup than cola, but there is no question that two years from now I’m still going to be infatuated with “Single”.