Merc80.com

Last Sunday was the lightweight-anticipated BET Awards.  Lightweight because it’s only anticipations and interests are in how badly are they gonna mess up, how cooning are the acts going to be, or just how ghetto fabulous are people going to be dressed.  Throughout my Twitter time-line I saw a lot of people making fun of others on the show. When I saw the performances most of them were actually very good.  BET needed to redeem itself from last years atrocious display of awards.  They stepped their game up visually with stage design and everything.  But the biggest issue that they needed to redeem themselves for was last years Michael Jackson tribute.  Just a few days before last years awards Michael had passed.  They called themselves doing a tribute the best they could in short notice, but if I were them I would have just let someone do a speech or something rather than doin what they called a dedication.  So this year they had to redeemed themselves.

And how ironic that they use the perfect symbol of someone needing redemption, Chris Brown.

Let’s not get it twisted.  He is really the only person that could have pulled this year’s performance off.  Hardly anyone has the stamina for dancing and singing like Chris.  As I said before, if there was ever an heir to the MJ throne, it was Chris Brown.

But that night with Rihanna just won’t go away.

When most of us first got the news about him beating her, some folks made little jokes, some thought it may not have been as bad as it was reported.  But when TMZ  leaked the photo of Rihanna’s battered face, Chris Brown’s image and career immediately hit ground zero.

It was as if the person we saw dancing, singing, and charming us was a complete actor.  Nothing about him was to be believed.  He was just an entertainer that was tap-dancing for album sales.  Even though he may have come from an abusive background with his father being abusive, we felt no sympathy for him.  The report that he BIT Rihanna?  He was insane.

His sponsorships dropped.  It was a media frenzy all over the place.  Rihanna doing interviews as the victim, and Chris Brown interviews turning into jokes because of his clothes (I can’t lie, that Chris Brown bow-tie stuff was funny).  Then people were taking pictures of him doing community service like it was some kind of Bigfoot sighting.  Oh, and let’s not forget when the story first broke out, and there was a car chase that everyone thought was Chris Brown attempting suicide.  It was a young love drama that the whole world witnessed, and Chris Brown was the culprit.

His album Graffiti came out a few months later.  Everyone wondered if he could pull an R. Kelly.  You know, be charged or accused of something heinous, but somehow your music is so catchy that we can’t help but to say, “Yeah what he did was wrong, but man that song is jammin!”.  Well somehow, R. Kelly got away Scott-free, while Brown took a beating of his own in the music department.  The singles were weak.  Crawl, actually I thought was great, but others I guess didn’t feel it.  Then the album dropped and critics tore it apart.  Stores had under-shipped quantities of it.  Brown still had fans that loved him, but he couldn’t catch a break.  It was a clear, but quiet, retaliation for what he did to Rihanna.

Then there were attempts to do some PR.  His singing at the Mayweather/Mosley fight.  Bad idea.  Nothing but more jokes.  Every rapper had jokes about Chris Brown.  “Chris Brown” was now a verb to refer to beating someone terribly.

And then, the BET Awards.  He sang and danced harder than ever.  He did almost every famous Michael Jackson move with complete precision.  From start to finish, there was no way you could deny that Brown was emulating one of the most iconic entertainers the world had ever seen with such force that you had to say to yourself “Man…if that Rihanna thing hadn’t happened, he’d be the next Michael Jackson!”

And then it came time for Man in the Mirror.  As soon as the music started and images of what seemed to be Katrina, Haiti, and oil covered pelicans hit the screen, you could hear the entire audience gasp and moan, like the pain just hit them.  It’s one of MJ’s most universal, emotionally stirring songs.

So stirring, that as soon as Chris Brown tried to sing the first line, he burst into tears.

“I’m gonna make a change, for once in my life.”

He struggled to sing.  His voice cracked.  It was as if he could barely move anymore.  The same guy who just a few moments ago was dancing and singing with power and grace turned weak.  What made that happen?  Was it his realization of MJ’s death?  Plenty of people still can hardly believe it, and MJ was his idol.  Was it the audience’s response to him?  This was the first time in over a year that he seemed to be accepted again.  And not just accepted, but cheered on.  Maybe it was that the song itself, the lyrics, with its message of changing the “Man in the Mirror” suddenly hit him so deeply.  It’s a song of redemption not only personally, but publicly to change the things around you.  But, he had to rehearse this song over and over.  He’s a professional.  Maybe this was a stunt.

But I do think that he was crying genuinely.  Everyone is wondering if this was a publicity stunt.  I don’t think so.  I think that we have a very skeptical world now, where every move someone makes causes us wonder if it was planned or not.  I don’t know if that is more sad for Brown, or for us as the audience.  No one knows what’s real anymore.  Along with that, a lot of people felt like they were abused to some extent, so the forgiveness isn’t coming easily.  Before, when I saw the picture of Rihanna I thought it was clearly the actions of an insane, manic man who was probably jealous and controlling.  The kind of man who, while having a background story, has no excuse for perpetuating the same things that he saw as a child.  Now, I look at that picture as the actions of a man with such inner turmoil and demons that maybe he didn’t even know was there.  And when he said “Gonna make a change for once in my life.” he wasn’t just singing and performing it, he was confessing it.

Some say that Brown’s breakdown became about him rather than it being a tribute to MJ…I dunno about that.  Besides, if I were in his shoes and I suddenly mouthed that in front of an audience of millions, I might break down too.  Whatever my inner or public demons might be.  Although I have to admit, I don’t know what to think when I saw that Lloyd told Chris Brown at some point “You gotta CRY, you gotta really show your heart to the world.”

So did he take that word of advice as a way to form a plot?  Soon afterward he also said he let his fans down and wouldn’t do it again.  All of this is confusing, but I still think he was serious about how he felt at that moment.  I’m not one that can pretend to cry very easily, so maybe those who can will find it easier to think it’s a plot than me.  But even after all this, he does have a bit of a ways to go to be fully redeemed.

How about you?  Do you believe his breakdown?  Could you be his fan again (if at all)?  Hit the comments section.

Now we get into everyone’s favorite topic, sex.

There’s no question that Miss Jack Davey brings a fiery spirit in her style, but also seduction and sensuality.  The same way that she goes into the deeper space of her mind to be inspired and create her art, she allows herself to be vulnerable on stage, to give you the most energy, and the most feeling.  Even as she says in this interview, sex and sexuality are not always an overt form of power or conquering, but also a way of being vulnerable, releasing, and allowing someone to share a space.

While many women use their sexuality as a way to try to defy men in a “I can do it too.” kind of way, she does it in a different form.  The form women love and understand, and the form that men have to respect.

Interestingly enough, guess who encouraged her to express that power?…

Part 3

Sex and sexuality

Being vulnerable on stage

How to find her

Words of advice.

Bonus!

Earlier in the interview she mentions the song “No More”.  October last year I got to see J*Davey open for Me’Shelle Ndegeocello and she performed that song.   I told her during our interview this was one of the sexiest performances I’ve ever seen (not just ’cause she was wearing some lingerie type clothes).   Luckily, I caught it on camera!  But when you listen to the lyrics you can see this isn’t just a bump’ n grind song.  This is someone giving herself completely to…something.

“No More”

And now we’re back with Miss Jack!

In case you didn’t know J*Davey is touring.  Be sure to check up on the J*Davey blog to keep up with them.  Also, check out their live Ustream show “Magic in the ADDIC”.  Just last week they were doing a live streaming rehearsal.  It goes to show just how important connecting with your fans is.

So, moving on to part 2, we talk about Hip Hop and her artistic process.

Miss Jack is a perfectionist.  She goes deep into her mind with the track and immerses herself in it.  And if the final result doesn’t take her back to that space, then she will want to scrap it.  This is the true mark of an artists.  One who is their biggest fan but also their harshest critic.

Part 2

- Her favorite emcees

- Moving away from Hip Hop

- Tracks of hers that she doesn’t like

- How she becomes satisfied with a song

Part 3 on Thursday.

BONUS!

Miss Jack may not like this, but I’m gonna post the two songs she says she doesn’t like…cause regardless of what she says, these are FIIYYAAAH!

“Red Light”

“Slooow”

For everyone that was looking forward to Miss Jack Davey pt 2, sorry but you may have to wait a few days.  She’s currently on tour with her partner-in-crime Brook with Erykah Badu and Janelle Monae!  i sent her the next 2 parts of the interview that will be on here shortly.  Soon as I get her official approval, it’ll be up here…

In the meantime, for those who have frequented the site, I’d love some of your feedback!

Hit me in the comment or even in the Contact section, and let me know what you think so far!

Who has been your favorite interview so far?

What have you learned?

Has this helped you as a regular consumer or even as an artist?

Who would you like to see here, or see more of?

Let me know, and let’s make it happen!

And if you’re not doing anything tonight, come celebrate my birthday with me, DJ Dizam, and bunch of others!

About a week ago Big Boi from Outkast took to Twitter and said “Jive Records is trying to block 3 Stacks [Andre 3000] from being on the album…”  A few days later my friend sent me this article.  Here’s what stood out to me…

[Big Boi] says, “Jive Records told me my album is a piece of art, and they didn’t know what to do with it.” But the move wasn’t a popular one and now Jive bosses are trying to stop the Outkast bandmates from recording together. Big Boi tells GQ, “Jive is trying to block Dre from being on my record. We can’t be on songs together now.”

Amazing.  I took to my Twitter and asked “Has anyone worked at a record label or been on a record label?  How or why would a decision like that be made?”  You’re talking about Outkast, one of the best selling groups in music.  They’ve pushed the envelope musically and have sold millions.  Big Boi and Andre are considered some of the best lyricists of our time.  What do you mean you don’t know how to market Big Boi’s album and you’re blocking Andre from being on it!?

I directly asked the homie Planet Asia.  He spoke in his interview about “Business Affairs” at major labels, and the hoops that you have to jump through in order to get features or simple decisions done.  His answer to why this would happen- “Yeah the devil will always be the devil!”

Another girl said-

As a HUGE fan who work w/that label, I’ve sent wkly feedback in that regard. Of course, I’ll never know Label Politickin 101…Man, I sent a whole extra page in my report like “do you know who Outkast is?”… It’s breakin my heart! I need Jive 2 fix this….I’m not gonna get the full story. I’m not on that level yet but I have told em how that affects our demographic & the cry of the fans!…reference me as a marketing rep who as a part of her weekly feedback mentioned the bruhaha goin on….Also mention that I may never get a response but I tried as a fan first lol

Another person said, “Wow, can’t give any insight, but that’s fucked up… I took a class in college, music business, unfortunately f’n typical….typical as in punishment for going against the grain, signing with another label. Similar to actors being blacklisted.”

To be fair, Big Boi did mention that Andre 3000 produced some tracks on the album.  Who knows, maybe this publicity may have made someone at the label change their mind.  But for them to even make that decision in the first place!?

Things like this make you really say “No wonder the music industry is falling apart.”

So, I decided to write Jive a letter.  Of course, I can’t find a direct email or person to address this to.  I did a little Internet diggin with some help from the homegirl and found Samantha Selolwane (National Director of Urban Promotion) , and I’m mailing a copy to Barry Weiss (President), and Clive Calder (CEO).  Dunno if they’ll ever read it or respond, but I hope so.  I urge you to do the same.

To Ms. Samantha Selolwane, Mr. Barry Weiss, and Mr. Clive Calder-

I am writing this letter as a concerned member of the public who has been a fan of Outkast for 15 years.  Not only do I love the entertainment of music, but I study how it is made from the artistic standpoint and from the business angle.

Contrary to what some may think, you have a very difficult job.  You have to run a company entirely dedicated to the selling of music, which is a high risk stock.  You have to take risks every day, giving large “loans” to artists and hope they sell well enough to make a return on your investment.  This is not easy.  I also do not suppose that you or anyone at your label is not mentally sharp.  Careful planning and business forecasting has to be done.  I do not assume that any of you are doing your job without any kind of diligence.

However, there are times where decisions are made that seem to put the consumer dead last when it comes to satisfaction, which will only make your business do worse.  Recently, for example, there was an issue with the members of Outkast (a group signed to your label).  One of the members of Outkast, Big Boi, completed a solo album, “Sir Lucious Leftfoot”.  Big Boi stated in an interview that he was told by Jive that his album was a work of art, but no one knew how to market it.  He then left the label and moved to Def Jam.  Then, songs that he had with his Outkast group mate, Andre 3000, were blocked by your label.  I understand a lot of decisions must be made to ensure that your company does well, but I want to tell you why both moves that were made were extremely erroneous.

Firstly, for anyone at Jive to say they don’t know how to market Big Boi’s album is hard to believe.  Big Boi is part of one of the best selling groups of all time.  When Outkast released their Speakerboxxx/Love Below set, they were made as solo albums already, and it went nearly 12x platinum in the U.S. alone.  Big Boi is considered one of the best lyricists in Hip Hop along with his partner, Andre 3000.  Big Boi’s new solo album practically sells itself.  Outkast has had a loyal following since their debut in 1994.  They have broken records with sales and set trends within the industry.  How is there a problem marketing one of the most regarded artists of all time, especially when the label itself says their album is a piece of art?

Secondly, why would you hold Andre 3000 from his partner’s album?  Because Big Boi is on Def Jam, a rival label?  If anything that will build bigger anticipation for an Outkast release, and Outkast is on Jive Records!  What people have been anticipating the most is a Big Boi/Andre collaboration on Big Boi’s album.

To tell you straight, these are very poor decisions, and I hope someone has changed their mind.  Big Boi’s album will be released in July.  Perhaps the decision was turned around and Jive allowed Andre to be on Big Boi’s album.  But to be honest, actions like this are making your label, and other labels overall, look bad.  It is very easy for word to get out when a label has made a decision that is more for their survival and politics than for the consumer’s enjoyment.  What you are doing, simply put, is denying customer satisfaction.  Because of this, the public feels no sympathy for labels who cry about illegal downloading, or that “this is a business”.  What happened to “The customer is always right”?  If anyone at your label has been looking at the Internet, there are plenty of comments from fans who are angry with your company.  And I’m not talking about a small cult following.  The Internet has made the average person well informed, and people know the power of their dollar.

I find it strange that I will never know if anyone will read my letter.  I feel like I can write a letter to The President of the U.S., or Steve Jobs at Apple, and have a higher chance of getting a response.  I’m sure you are bombarded by people who want a deal or a job, but at some point there needs to be some better transparency.  It’s as if no one wants to answer to the public because they feel they have the authority not to, or they would rather stay faceless because they don’t want to account for the decisions being made.  I just want to know why would a decision like this be made?  What business logic is involved?  I don’t doubt that someone had a good reason, but that reason would really have to override the desire of the fans.

Hope to hear back.
Yohance Serrant, aka Merc80

Merc80.com

And now…we wait…

*twiddles thumbs*