Author Archives: marcusah

Saw Miss Jackson live in concert for the third time last month! What made this outing so impressive was the intimate setting and non-stop hit repertoire… for most artists, selling out Radio City would be a big deal, but, for the soft-spoken Janet Jackson (whose played to stadiums worldwide for decades) it was a stripped-down, zero-floss production. Everything was on point: from the fanatical crowd to the choreography all the way down to the costumes (designed by Todd Lynn and Donatella Versace) and did I mention she sang live? (Pretty amazing for a woman who revolutionized the art of the lip-synch in the mid-80′s: Janet Jackson headset, anyone?) As she’s done with all her world tour stops thus far, she dedicated one of her 35+ #1′s to NYC – we got Luther and Janet’s early 90′s duet, “The Best Things In Life Are Free” (below). I’ll let my man, Michael Eric Dyson do the rest of the commentary… (below)

Song of the Day: “The Best Things In Life Are Free” -
Janet Jackson & Luther Vandross

Opening: The Pleasure Principle


Feedback: bustin’ out!

Stop pressurin’ me!

Performing Scream for the first time live in concert

Rhythm Nation on dat ass

Finale: Together Again

WORLD PREMIERE: “Make Some Noise” – Beastie Boys

The Beasties know how to do lo-fi right.
The original white boys that could return later this year.

Hard Fab



Soft Fab

World Premiere: “Shame” – Jill Scott (Feat. Eve)

She’s BAAAAACCCKKK and betta than eva. Jilly’s been my girl since the 8th grade. Nothing comes between us two. Especially after this one where she experiments with a definite hip-hop-induced early-90′s sound (partially courtesy of guest MC, EVE). Watch for JS’s new album dropping this spring.

World Premiere: “I’m Into You” – Jennifer Lopez (Feat. Lil’ Wayne)

Really feelin’ this JLO summer jam which hearkens back to her good ol’ days when she looked like a wet, greasy cholita, loved rhinestone initial jewelry, and wasn’t seen without a pair of hella-hoops… even if spring in NYC has been postponed until further notice… JLO‘s there to keep me warm. On The 6 and J.LO are still in my 6 CD disc changer. And you know this, man.