The Abstract...

"Back in the days on the boulevard of Linden,

We used to kick routines and presence was fittin'.

It was I the Abstract"

-Q-Tip - Check The Rhime

 As a black man, many people assume that I keep up with the new hip-hop (well it's really rap since it possesses none of the basic elements of hip-hop but the MC'ing, that's neither here nor there*-) and R&B (well that music that a singer kinda sings and talks randomly and Future or Trey Songz are featured on). This is never the case. Outside of Drake, and people I see mentioned on Twitter I'm pretty oblivious to current "urban" music. Well, that would mean current mainstream "urban" music. It doesn't inspire me as the music used to. Maybe I'm getting to the point where I'm old and don't have the ear for the current wave. Don't get it twisted, I have consumed much ratchness but not in excess as I did in my teenage years and early 20s.

I just wanted to throw some dope music out there for people to explore and maybe find something they dig. My taste has becomes more abstract the older I get. Hell, I'm currently listening to The Who - Live at Hull. It's a live album recorded in 1970. For those who don't know, The Who is the group whose songs are featured in the opening theme of all the CSIs. Below, I'll list some dope music to try. Some may be weird to you, some may be dope to you. Hell, I don't know your taste. Hell I just know mine and what's dope is dope. Much of it won't be new or much of it may be current music. Some things you probably already listen to. ENJOY!

Toro Y Moi - "Say That"
Dope artist actually out of Columbia, SC who's making big everywhere outside of SC. Discovered him about 4 years ago. Made an interesting cover of Cherrelle and Alexander O'Neal's - "Saturday Love" that you can find on an EP titled, Freaking Out.




Nirvana - Unplugged
Full of very good and abstract covers or Christian, 80s early grunge, and folk songs. Only a handful of their hits were covered but it's still an album I listen to about once a month to this day. This album debuted roughly 20 years ago. That's saying a lot.




Maroon 5 - Songs About Jane
Not even going to say much about them. Everyone has heard of them and know this album is a classic. One of the few albums of any genre that can be played from front to back without a track being skipped. Only albums I persona
lly can play like this is The Blueprint by Jay Z, 112's debut album and Ready To Die by Biggie. Hell I've even seen Maroon 5 in concert like 6 years ago. I must admit I do not listen to their current music though.




Mayer Hawthorne - Where Does This Door Go
An album that's in my current rotation. I just can't stop listening to it. I'm in amazement that "urban" people haven't gotten their hands on this gem. If you swear by a JT or any other R&B artist killing the game, I promise you that you'll like this album. I'm not even going to explain what it sounds like. Just go listen to it. He even has a song with Kendrick. Will you listen NOW?




The Police - "Message In A Bottle"
Actually, I like most if not all of The Police's music. Post punk, and slightly pre new wave rock music infused with reggae/ska. Well if none of that made any sense, oh well. For some reason I listen to this song constantly on Spotify. I don't have a clue why though.




John Mayer – Continuum
This shouldn't be an abstract album to many. Each track on this album will make you think that John was spying on your life. "Gravity" is simplistic but yet sooooo deep. My favorite track is "Bold As Love", a cover of a Jimi Hendrix tune. Yeah I dig Jimi as well.




The Doors - Waiting For The Sun
I've always had a strange habit of listening to my favorite hip-hop album and then Googling the original sample of the tracks. When I first heard Kanye's production on "The Takeover", I had to find out where the f*ck did he get that sample from. And that began my fascination with Jim Morrison and The Doors. I actually listen to most of their LPs but this was the first album I listened to. I was hooked ever since.




Funkadelic/Parliament - "I'll Stay"/"All Your Goodies Are Gone"
Both of these are songs I've found due to researching samples on tracks I listened to as a teenager. Lead me to listen to numerous of their albums on Spotify and it's unreal of how many bass lines and drum patters I recognized while listening. They changed hip-hop in a major way.






Minnie Riperton - "Les Fleurs"
Many know Minnie soley for "Lovin You" and the memorable high pitch note she elegantly hits towards the end of the tune. I truly don't remember how I've ran across "Les Fleurs" but it seriously made me immediately take out my phone to Shazaam it. Evidently, this was one the first songs she recorded as a solo artist. Beautiful, colorful song.




Those were just a snippet of the things I randomly listen to. I'm open to listen to many things. I left a lot of things off the list such as Coldplay, Smashing Pumpkins, Talking Heads and the list could go on and on. Don't be afraid to try something out of your element. It's open my eyes to so many things and also to so many people I'd never hold a conversation with. Step outside of the box. I'm sure it won't hurt too much.

Everybody Plays the Fool?

It's amazing when those signs stare you right in the face, but lust and loneliness make you numb to your deepest fears. Thirsty texts, salacious conversations all with someone that has probably not yet earned your trust. Nothing too bad, unless you catch those feelings. Oh yes, THOSE feelings. That feeling where you're looking at your messaging app and you notice that that text you sent at 8:30 pm hasn't be replied to and it 12:32am. Ahhhh yes, that feeling will make the proudest, most pompous individual either irate or sadder than the moment in My Girl(the movie) when homie got stung by all those bees. That feeling is when you let an individual in a tad too quickly. That person seems to be the polar opposite of your most recent ex, jumpoff, sugar daddy, or whatever you're into. And to you, that feels so damn refreshing. Just know that anything tastes good when you're thirsty.

That feeling is a b*tch. It's not necessarily love either. It's some convoluted ooze of love, lust, loneliness and thirst all wrapped into one. Not to get deep into the semantics of a situation, but I keep over hearing the same stories over and over and over and over concerning a man or woman, but mostly men that don't call nor text after the goodies have just been distributed for the first time. A hell of a coincidence don't ya think. You laid it down like a scene from Baby Boy or something. And he's seem to all of a sudden have the busiest day at work the next day. No texts, no calls, no voicemails, no tweets, no Facebook posts, no nada. But remember, just a couple days ago you were just exchanging messages ALL day despite you both slaving away at that 9-5. Walking away from your desk, hoping to come back to a phone with that blinking light at the top. Do remember that there is no boundary that can box thirst in. But for some, once that thirst is quenched, it is extinguished for the first and final time. It just beez like that.

What signs were missed? Did I let them in too quickly? There is no right or wrong answers, BUT if you're willing to allow bullshit to fly and still let a person share the most intimate moments with you, you deserve to have to deal with harsh realities. And since I have nothing but space and opportunity at the current moment, I will list some of the bullshit for ya. 

BULLSH*T that should not be tolerated

1. Exclusive late night contact - if he/she only contacts you around the time SportsCenter is showing the Top 10 plays, you may be getting played.
2. No contact with any of his/her friends - family is excluded from this article simply because I'm hoping you aren't bringing a new person around your family before you even know this person's middle name;  If he or she is into you, you will get invited to kick it with the friends. Friends normally hold more clout when it comes to relationship conversation than family.
3. Frequent mentioning of one's self - not too much to dissect here; caring equals interest aka asking about your day, life, work, etc. etc.
4. Empty promises - "I'm gonna come thru for a little bit and chill with you". Hell, it already sounds like a setup for a good night, but when that expected visitor doesn't fulfill their promise, what are you to do? Play Solitaire?

Moral to this episode is to not settle for less. If you're a habitual entertainer of the "aint shit-ness", well you low key deserve to stay in the dark and let the cycle repeat itself over and over. No more babbling from me. Just know your worth. Pleasssse, know your worth.

-CoolStoryIzzo

Time is of the Essence...

Do you know your purpose? 

Is that career you chose based solely on monetary benefit or do it gives you a sense of joy everyday? 

Do you treat people fairly or do you look out only for yourself? 

Do you tell people that you love them or do you get that awkward feeling and choose to skip the whole phrase entirely? 

Are you a good friend?

Are you petty? 

Are you a good mother/father? 

Are you a good son/daughter? 

Well are you? 

ARE YOU?

Do you tell friends or family that you love them?

Do you know what love is?

Do you confuse love with being comfortable?

Does love have to hurt?

Do you think you're in love?

Well are you?

ARE YOU?

Is there any right or wrong answers to those questions? Any answers startle you? Any answers make you want to change anything about yourself? If it does, make the change. Time is something we're not promised. I'm done rambling. Tell someone you love them today. It'll mean something to them. I PROMISE.

-CoolStoryIzzo

Ironic....

Amazing at what we let pass us by in life. Not one to dwell on past mistakes, mishaps, or regrets. Always one to see the bright side of a gloomy situation. Smiles in the face of adversity. One that is always there for that shoulder to cry on. But, I feel I could have done a better job in a certain episode. Felt this way for a little while but it was recently solidified. Feel I could have put forth a valiant effort. Any type of effort. Feels that I should have nip things in the bud on a prior and make a move on a new. But, ol school, hard-headed Izzo sticks to his guns. Didn't pick up on hints, cues or body language. Made an assumption. The incorrect one at that. Only one person to blame. *Looks into mirror and salutes self*

Not the first time. Probably won't be the last. Strangely this one stings a lot more. Normally, I have no f*cks to give. But, all the f*cks were given in this case. Feels like I fumbled at the goaline. Right there for the taking and didn't reach out and grab it to secure it. Played it cool like it didn't bother, but it truly did. Has for awhile. A man always knows when something is better than the rest. A greater man makes an effort to possess great things. On my path to be that greater man..

Turns on iPod, selects shuffle on my "Slow Groove" playlist. This dreary day culminates with "Next Lifetime" by Erykah Badu providing the soundtrack of this strange 24hr marathon. Ironic...too ironic *face palm*

 -CoolStoryIzzo

Amazing...

It's simply amazing how there are so few men taking pride in being fathers in our present time. People say that doing things you're suppose to do should not be praised or rewarded. In this case, I beg to differ.

I was raised in a two parent household until the age of 13, in where my father moved out of our household. Mother, a stay at home mom, had to pick up a job to feed her one and only. I can count on my hand how many times I've seen him since I was 13/14. I'm 29 now. This is a major problem. Not for me, not in OUR community, but in our society.

I've shed my tears and punched walls many years ago over this matter. But, it is something that still creeps up on you and makes you wonder what possesses a man not to want to care or be apart of his/her child's life. It's not something I can even come close to empathize. The pure foundation of being a man is having a sense of responsibility. A man who is not there financially or emotionally for their children is not a man. No IFS, ANDS OR BUTS about it. One thing that I am certain of, is that there is a positive correlation between the lack of fathers in our households and the number of black men filling our prisons. No one can tell me any different, but that's a story for another day.

Many events over the past 12 months have put things into focus for me. Things that I thought were deep into my past have reared its ugly head once again. As a man who does not let much get to him or someone to get over on him, I've learned that some things are just meant to be let go. But one this is for certain, I wake up every single day trying to be a better man. A man who is cordial with everyone he meets. One that greets people with a smile. A man who treats people exactly the way he likes to be treated. But, most of all, I've striven to be a better man than my father ever was. I don't know if it's the right thing to shoot for, but damnit I know it's the greatest motivator I've been given. It's the path less taken, but it's the only path I'm accustomed to taking.

The Chase...

Are you the chaser or the chasee? And yes, I know what you're thinking. "Chasee" is not even a word, Izzo. I'm just trying to make a damn point, SHEESH. Some of y'all need to stop judging Izzo. And yes, I sometime speak in third person, LOL. And now, since I've established my point, I'd like bring up an important issue me and the homies seem to struggle with. Ladies & gentlemen, THE CHASE.

This is a very complicated matter. Men have come to a crossroad, in which they don't know whether they should engage in the chase due to the abundance of "independent women". This is NO knock to the independent woman. Men are extremely attracted to this type of lady. But, sometimes it just comes to the point where we feel as if that woman "can do better all by herself". That vibe is a killjoy at times. Every man wants a woman who possess a small amount of that "damsel in distress" quality. A gentleman likes to have purpose. He likes to sweep her off her feet. He enjoys picking up the check, opening doors, and yadda yadda yadda. You catch my point. A man needs purpose or else he feels lost.

Purpose isn't a trait that every man possess. So, every man that pursues a woman is NOT neccessarily on THE CHASE. A quick pursuit is not THE CHASE. If he gets the number, calls/texts a lady, goes out with her a couple times and suddenly stops making contact, that's a quick pursuit. Many women ask me, "Why did he all of a sudden stop calling me?" First question that I ask is, "Did you let him smash?" YES I say "smash", SUE ME lol. But, normally the answer is NO. If this answer is truthful though is always up for debate, but some men will keep the wheels moving if little or no action takes place. Very basic of him, huh? Well I'd agree but some men just aren't built for THE CHASE. Some men are scared of rejection. Yes, scared. Ever wonder why he just won't get right. Yup, you guessed it....he's scared of commitment.

Does it sound like I contradicted myself in the past couple paragraphs? I certainly think I did. But, I will make it plain and simple to ya. Men are a walking contradiction at most times. We want all the characteristics of a relationship but yet aren't willing to put in the blood, sweat and tears to maintain one or better yet, achieve one. THE CHASE tires us and makes us afraid of getting our poor little egos crush. We use a woman's strength as an excuse for our fears. But, can't let the homies catch us slipping. We can't let this chick tear us down. The part that humors me about THE CHASE is that it normally has a happy ending. Too bad most of us cowards aren't into fairy tales.

-Izzo

The Point of No Return....

Every man dreads this following phrase as if they were being informed that their nearest and dearest relative has passed away. That phrase is: "Sorry (insert name here), I only see you as a friend". The FRIEND ZONE or as me and the homies call it, THE PLATONIC ZONE.

THE PLATONIC ZONE
noun
1. a place in a relationship friendship where a woman has decided that this poor little piece of a man will not be embarking in the fun of coitus or cunnilingus with her anytime in the near future;
2. a place in which men would compare to the fiery pits of hell;
3. a place of hopelessness and wasted thirst

As a gentleman in his late 20s, I've dabbled in the friend zone 15 times too many -___-. I'm a very approachable individual who has had no problem making friends of the opposite sex. BUT, one thing has to be said to any woman reading this post. Don't take this next statement the wrong way or even be offended by it. A man is only truly going to develop a relationship of any type with a woman he has some type of attraction to. It is just how we're built. It's in my genetics, I just follow what I've been given. This will explain our susceptibility to the platonic zone.

There are several types of ways to land in the PLATONIC ZONE , but we will only focus on me and my associates kisses of deaths. As a former habitual platonic zone occupant, I can look back and say that much of it was my fault. I was guilty of the following:

1. taking WAAAAY too long to express my true feelings;
2. listening to too many conversations about an ex-boyfriend;
3. offering up too much of my free time when I could be kicking it with the fellas;
4. accepting that 2AM text and not notifying her of the booty call implications at that time of the night
5. going on a shopping venture to only be tortured by seeing this woman try on outfits that outlined every which curve she was blessed with;
6. being captivated by the big butt and smile

This poor fellow has been oh-so guilty of these dumb mistakes. Why did I stick around thinking that just maybe she'd see the sparkle in my eye? HELL IF I KNOW. Much of this occurred during my college days so I'm over much of it now. Hell, I actually laugh at most of it now. But, around every single corner is the PLATONIC ZONE trap. Every woman possesses it. You may not even realize you have feelings for a woman until it hits you one day and guess what? IT'S ALREADY TOO LATE!!!!! You were already in the PLATONIC ZONE 3 weeks ago homeboy. Sucks for you!